The Membrane-Based Biogas Upgrading System in Michigan

Written by UBE Corporation

Red Leaf RNG facility in Saranac, Michigan began commercial operations in October 2023, delivering sustainable energy solutions by converting dairy-derived biogas into high-quality RNG, which is then injected into pipelines.

The membrane-based biogas upgrading system for this facility was designed and built by Unconventional Gas Solutions (UGS), an innovative engineering company and equipment packager recognized for excellence in gas purification projects.

With cutting edge technology and deep knowledge of gas processes, UGS delivers exceptional biogas upgrading and conditioning systems customized to meet the requirements of any biogas source and offtake agreement, whether pipeline, compressed natural gas, or liquefied natural gas.

At the Red Leaf RNG facility, UGS integrated a multistage membrane system with a proprietary catalytic deoxygenation unit to meet Michigan’s stringent quality standards for pipeline gas. Through optimized process integration, energy-efficient compression strategies, and high-selectivity membranes, UGS achieved a significant reduction in power consumption and operating expenses while achieving best-in-class methane recoveries compared to traditional membrane-based systems. Within just two months of operation, the facility achieved >95% uptime, showcasing excellence in design and the ongoing dedicated support of the UGS field service team.

The UBE CO2 Separator has played a pivotal role at Red Leaf RNG facility, demonstrating its superior performance with high permeability and selectivity, and effectively minimizing both OPEX and CAPEX. Additionally, the remarkable feature of UBE’s polyimide membranes with high chemical resistance, capable of withstanding up to 3% H2S, enables bulk contaminant removal in the multistage membrane system, resulting in significant cost savings from reduced media consumption.

Developers are highly satisfied with the cost efficiencies derived from the exceptional performance and superior features of the UBE CO2 Separator. Through its partnership with UGS, UBE provides advanced membrane solutions known for their high quality and cost-effectiveness in biogas upgrading projects.

With global expertise, UBE is committed to advancing environmental sustainability by providing the UBE CO2 Separator for a greener world.

For more information and biogas projects, read BiogasWorld’s US Biogas Magazine.