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The plant configuration deals with 3 MWh of biogas gaining references in terms of Basic Design
3
and 550 Nm /h of hydrogen as feedstocks and the Packages development and commercial
outlet thermal power of produced SNG of 4.4 demonstration of the technology.
MWh. The renewable hydrogen generation involves A number of advantages has been envisaged
electrolyzes. The final clean-up is mainly based on in VESTA technology starting from its
either biological or chemical desulphurisation, demonstration in the pilot plant in Nanjing and
followed by VESTA clean syngas methanation. continuing the design development to
According to the results the biogas upgrading renewable pathways of natural gas production.
associated with the VESTA process is feasible The plant has a very simple process scheme
and provides an efficient, robust, and viable that facilitates excellent performance both in
system to produce Bio-SNG that can be delivered, terms of SNG product and exported steam.
transported, and distributed using the natural gas VESTA features the absence of the recycle
existing grid and infrastructures. compressor and the possibility to use low alloy
steel, for all the reactors, instead of high alloy
steel or refractory walls.
Conclusions Other advantages lie in the full flexibility to
VESTA technology was developed in 2006 to balance both capital and operative
be an alternative method of natural gas expenditures and to adapt to any source of
production in countries where plentiful and syngas on different scales. The thermal
more evenly distributed coal reserves are integration is designed and optimised in order
available. In the meantime, many communities to meet the customer’s requirements: the
pushed the transition to a low carbon economy. production of medium or high pressure
The valorisation of biomass like wastes and (saturated or superheated) steam and low
residues is expected to play a key role in the pressure steam at the same time, if possible
energy sector, moving from clean energy and of interest. The process is made unique
generation to include chemicals and fuels by the characteristic that is intrinsically safe,
production. This is why Wood’s VESTA because runaway reactions cannot occur. All
technology with its multifaceted potentialities these features make the VESTA process a very
has been adapted to the market needs of attractive option for the market and Wood is
different countries (across Europe and Asia) by active in its commercialisation.

Luca Mancuso

Luca Mancuso is Director in the Milan office of Wood studies, basic design and detailed engineering phases of
(formerly Amec Foster Wheeler). With a first-class degree in several projects worldwide. In the field of CCS, he has
Chemical Engineering, Luca joined Wood (formerly Amec successfully worked for a large number of renowned
Foster Wheeler) in 2000 and he is now Director in the international companies and organisations. The acquisition
Process Technology & Consulting service line of the of this expertise allowed Luca to publish several papers and
Company. In the past years, Luca had the opportunity to to present them at international conferences on Gasification
develop a deep experience in the design of fossil-based Technologies and Greenhouse Gas Control techniques.
power and chemical generation plants, following feasibility

Fabio Ruggeri

A graduate in Chemical Engineering, Fabio Ruggeri has and international magazines and events.
been at Wood (formerly Amec Foster Wheeler) since Fabio is the leader of the Hydrogen Technology Group
2006, holding at present the position of Technology in charge of continuously improving our proprietary
Business Development Manager. hydrogen technology. Fabio is also involved in the
Fabio has an extensive experience in the process design development and the marketing of our VESTA
of refinery and chemical units. He is also author of technology, a novel technology for the production of
several papers featured and/or presented at national SNG from both coal and biomass.

IndustrIal Plants - May 2018
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