Gas separation
A pioneer in biogas upgrading
Evonik's SEPURAN® Green membranes enable the production of green energy from organic waste. Being a global leader in innovative biogas upgrading technology, we at Evonik have long been developing solutions for a climate-neutral future.
Since our entry into biogas upgrading in 2011, we have revolutionized the market with our highly selective SEPURAN® Green membranes and the innovative 3-stage membrane process, that includes 4 different patents. SEPURAN® Green membranes are specially developed hollow fiber membranes that enable the efficient upgrading of biogas to pure, renewable natural gas (RNG, also known as biomethane) with minimal energy input. RNG can act as a direct replacement for natural gas in a variety of applications. Some examples include: feeding it directly into the natural gas grid, using it as a climate-neutral fuel such as bio liquid natural gas or using biomethane as a building block in chemical industry.
At the heart of your biogas upgrading plant
SEPURAN® Green Membranes are the crucial element at the heart of biogas upgrading plants. They allow for the efficient production of clean, sustainable RNG/biomethane and Bio-CO2 that is vital for many applications.
Thanks to their high selectivity and capacity, they make the upgrading process efficient and cost-effective.
This efficiency is achieved through minimal energy consumption and by eliminating the need for additional materials like water or chemicals. As a result, SEPURAN® helps you conserve resources and protect the environment.
Substrates
Biogas is produced through anaerobic fermentation, which is the microbial decomposition of organic substances in the absence of oxygen. These organic substances, or feedstocks for biogas production, encompass a wide range of biomass materials, including:
- Manure
- Residual and waste materials
- Sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants
- Plant residues
- Crops not used for food production
Utilizing residual and waste materials such as liquid manure or sewage sludge from wastewater treatment plants supports an ideal circular economy.
Renewable natural gas/biomethane, and Bio-CO2
Unlike fossil-based natural gas, RNG/biomethane is renewably sourced from derivatives of organic waste, making use of carbon that is already emitted. The RNG/biomethane produced can be converted into heat, electricity, and fuels, maximizing the use of available resources and minimizing waste.
Additionally, biogenic CO2, a byproduct of biogas production, can serve as a second value stream. This biogenic CO2 can be used as the basis for synthetic biomethane in power-to-gas processes and can replace conventionally produced CO2 in all applications, further enabling a transition to a more circular economy.
Leaders in innovative membrane solutions
At Evonik, our expertise in polymer chemistry allows us to develop membranes with new properties as customers’ needs evolve. Being fully backward-integrated, we handle every step of production, from the design and production of membranes to final assembly of the module to customer support with process designs.
benefits of backwards-integrated production
- Continual development of membrane technology lets us offer customers the best solutions for market needs
- In-house polymer synthesis lets us optimize membrane selectivity and capacity per solution
- Customized hollow-fiber spinning ensures top separation performance
- Our own manufactured membrane systems come pre-assembled with cartridges and housings compatible with all global standards, including PED, ASME, CRN, SELO
- Strict quality control of each system to ensure efficiency
KEY FEATURES OF SEPURAN® GREEN
Designed for optimal efficiency and sustainability, SEPURAN® Green offers high methane yields and purity, enabling direct liquefaction into Bio LNG. Its many benefits include excellent energy efficiency and compatibility with existing systems. Even more, it has the potential to generate additional value through the production of food-grade carbon dioxide.
Find out more in the expandable section below.
Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
Tolerates short-term exposure up to 20 vol% and long-term exposure up to 3 vol% hydrogen sulfide
Organic Solvents
Resistant to organic solvents
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)
Can handle up to 10 ppm volatile organic compounds
Ammonia (NH3)
Can tolerate up to 20 ppm of ammonia
Available in different sizes and with various connectors (Victaulic / BSPP / NPT)
Lower energy consumption through recycle rates of 30-40% and low electrical energy demand
(~ 0.2 kWh/Nm3 raw biogas)
100% renewable energies used in production
High methane yield of more than 99.8% and CO2 lower than 50 ppm allows for direct liquefication into
Bio-LNG
Durable operation life exceeding 10 years
New products enabled for downward compatibility with existing systems, ensuring lower costs for upgrades or replacements
Secondary output of food-grade carbon dioxide creates an immediately usable extra value stream
Uniquely customer-centric solutions
At Evonik, customers are at the heart of our innovative technologies. We go beyond being just a membrane manufacturer by offering our customers a holistic package from consultation all the way till post-sales support.
Our solutions include:
- Feasibility analysis and support for each individual application
- Comprehensive simulation software and tools for individualized process designs
- Strong customer support and rapid response times
- Remote tech support based across all time zones; on-site service in key areas across the globe
- Delivery time surpassing market standards and replacement services within just a few days
