Wärtsilä Biogas Plant Bound for Norway to Produce Bus Fuel

Wärtsilä Corporation, a leader in liquefied natural gas (LNG) marine fuel technology, has been awarded

an order to supply a biogas liquefaction plant that will produce fuel for public transport vehicles, mainly

in Norway. The supply contract was signed in December 2015, and is with Purac Puregas AB, based in

Kalmar, Sweden. The Wärtsilä plant will be installed at the paper mill in Skogn, Norway.

Once operational, the biogas plant will convert the cleaned biogas from fishery waste and residual paper

mill slurry into liquid fuel. The liquid will be cooled to minus 160°C and stored in insulated tanks. The

system has been specially designed to liquefy small methane-based gas streams. This novel technology

is based on readily available, well proven components but features a highly advanced process design

and control system. The environmental benefits of delivering renewable liquid biogas fuel are enhanced

by the fact that sulphur oxide (SOx) and particle emissions are virtually eliminated, while any released

CO2 has zero environmental impact since it is part of the existing circulatory CO2.

“Wärtsilä is very pleased at being contracted to deliver a compact solution featuring proven technology

that has been adapted to the needs of the customer. The system offers low operating costs and is

energy efficient. Furthermore, the environmental footprint will be minimal. By enabling profitable

projects for smaller gas streams, we are aiding the EU’s target of having ten percent renewable fuel by

the year 2020,” says Timo Koponen, Vice President, Wärtsilä Marine Solutions.

“We expect strong demand in a fast growing market for liquefied biogas fuel. Wärtsilä’s biogas

liquefaction solution represents an important step forward in realising this potential. The fuel can now

be produced economically and sustainably, which were key factors in the award of this contract,” says

Håvard Wollan, Chief Executive Officer of Biokraft A/S.

“The plant at Skogn will be privately operated and, with a capacity of 25 tons of liquid biogas per day,

will be the biggest in the Nordic countries. It is a game-changer in the biogas fuel market,” says Øystein

Ihler, Development Director of Climate and Energy Programme for the City of Oslo.

Having the biogas as cryogenic liquid, rather than as compressed gas makes it a viable fuel for heavy

vehicles since sufficient energy can be stored onboard.

Wärtsilä is delivering the system on a fast-track basis and the on-site installation is scheduled to be

completed within a 15 month time-frame.

NGS INDIA