Pilot-scale verification of the new VESTA methanization technology

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Pilot Testing of the New VESTA Methanization Technology Author/Source: Date: 2016-07-06 Clicks: 25 On July 5, Huayi Engineering announced that the pilot plant for the new VESTA methanization technology, developed in collaboration with AmecFW and Clariant, had successfully passed all performance tests. The company stated that this technology is now ready for commercial use, offering a highly cost-effective alternative for the production of synthetic natural gas from coal. The pilot plant was engineered, constructed, and operated by Huisheng Engineering; Clariant provided the proprietary catalysts, while AMEC Foster Wheeler supplied the licensed technology. The facility was completed in June 2014, and all pilot tests were finished by the end of April 2016. The test results show that this technology features a simple process and easy control over production operations. Compared with existing technologies, it is safer and more reliable, offering better quality control. Additionally, it boasts high catalyst activity, high conversion rates, and a wide operating temperature range (230–700°C). The Clariant methanation catalyst was also put into industrial use in 2015. It is reported that VESTA methanization technology is an innovative methanization method that uses syngas produced from the gasification of coal or petroleum coke to produce SNG (synthetic natural gas). It features a design with the feed gas passing through once only, without internal circulation, and thus does not require expensive compressors ； Syngas does not require strict regulation of the hydrogen/carbon ratio in the shift unit, making it easy to operate and ensuring stable and reliable product quality ； The levels of CO2 and H2O in the methane product gas can be kept at extremely low levels, eliminating the need for devices such as triethylene glycol dehydration systems ； As a result, the equipment investment is lower, enabling users to reduce one-time costs by over 20% ； Moreover, it offers significant energy-saving benefits; based on the results of pilot tests, with a production scale of 4 billion standard cubic meters of SNG per year, it can help enterprises save over 200 million yuan in energy costs each year. Andy Hemingway, vice president of technology at Amec Foster Wheeler, said, “Replacing natural gas is an effective pathway for producing clean fuel energy, which will help alleviate the shortage of natural gas production in China.” We are very pleased to see that the new VESTA methanation technology has undergone pilot-scale testing through the joint efforts of our partners, Whiting Engineering and Clariant. We look forward to this innovative technology helping to drive the development of China’s synthetic natural gas market. ” Clariant’s catalyst business is a global leader in the development and production of a full range of catalysts for industrial processes. Stefan Heuser, Global President of Clariant’s Catalysts business unit, said: “The success of the pilot scale test is the result of three years of close collaboration between us and Whiting Engineering and Amoco Foster Wheeler, leveraging our complementary strengths.” Through pilot testing, we have verified the excellent performance of Clariant’s catalysts, and together we have further optimized this new technology; we believe this will provide new solutions for China’s future development in replacing natural gas and optimizing its energy structure. ” Chen Huimei, Senior Vice President of Huisheng Engineering, said, “We are pleased to see phased results from our first collaboration with Amec Foster Wheeler and Clariant!” During the design, construction, and testing of the pilot plant for VESTA methanization technology, by leveraging Amec Foster Wheeler’s global experience and technical expertise, as well as Clariant’s strong innovation capabilities in catalyst technology, Huaxing Engineering was able to fully utilize its strengths in technology engineering, thereby enhancing its overall capabilities in the field of coal chemical processing. ”Chen Huimei also said that in the long term, coal-to-synthetic natural gas holds strategic value for promoting the clean use of coal in China and ensuring **energy security. The commercialization of this new technology will significantly reduce the costs associated with coal-to-synthetic natural gas, thereby facilitating the development of this coal chemical production route.