Bio gas is a multinational energy carrier currently used for co-generation or compressed bio methane as vehicle fuel. Gas-to-liquid (GTL) technology enables conversion of bio gas into other energy carriers with higher energy density, facilitating fuel distribution.
The energy efficiency and global warming potential (GWP) for conversion of bio gas to compressed bio gas (CBG), liquefied bio gas (LBG), Fischer–Troopship diesel (FTD), methanol and dim ethyl ether (DME) were studied in a life cycle perspective covering the technical system from raw bio gas to use in city buses.
CBG, methanol and DME showed the best specific fuel productivity. However, when fuel distribution distances were longer, DME, LBG and methanol showed the best energy balance. Methanol, FTD and DME emitted half the GWP of LBG and CBG. Choice of electricity mix had a large impact on GWP performance. Overall, taking into account the different impact categories, combustion properties and fuel yield from raw biogas, DME showed
the best performance of the fuel conversion scenarios assessed.