Climate-Friendly Fuel Pilot Plant for Renewable Methane Went Into Operation in Leipzig on April 11, 2025 

Written by Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden (UIT)

A new pilot plant with an area of around 800 square meters has been commissioned at the German Biomass Research Center in Leipzig. This pilot plant, designed and built by  Umwelt- und Ingenieurtechnik GmbH Dresden (UIT), efficiently converts biogenic residues, waste and green hydrogen into renewable biomethane. This marks a significant step forward for the research center in investigating the use of biomethane in areas that are difficult to electrify, such as heavy-duty transport and shipping. Organic materials are converted into high-quality synthetic biogas in a multi-stage process combining anaerobic digestion, hydrothermal pre- and post-treatment, and catalytic methanization. This biogas is then available as a climate-friendly energy source.

UIT won the tender for the planning and construction of the pilot plant for renewable methane.

The incoming substrate is first stored and cooled if necessary. This is followed by preconditioning, which, depending on the requirements, includes crushing, mixing or precise dosing for the subsequent process. The fresh substrate can be hydrothermally pretreated in an optional process step to increase fermentation efficiency. The core process is the anaerobic fermentation of biomass to produce biogas, consisting of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Catalytic methanation converts CO2 with hydrogen into pure synthetic methane – the plant’s main product. Filtration units enable the targeted recycling or external use of by-products such as solid and liquid fertilizers and water in dischargeable quality. The fermentation residues can optionally be hydrothermally converted into hydrocharcoal. 

Higher-level technological systems control, coordinate, and ensure the interaction of all subprocesses. The pilot plant’s closed-loop recycling management system ensures that all material flows are balanced and recycled, making the plant particularly resource efficient. 

Tailor-Made Solutions for Technical Challenges 

Scaling was a key challenge in the system’s development. As the processes had to remain economical on a small scale, industrial-grade components such as pumps and valves were often too large. The UIT engineering team overcame this challenge through numerous optimizations. 

Safety requirements were also a key focus of this project. In addition, the scientific environment of the pilot plant places special demands on planning, construction, and documentation, as the results of the investigations with the pilot plant must be precisely evaluated and utilized.  

Image credit: Johannes Amm / DBFZ– see text on the photos

For more information, please visit www.uit-gmbh.de/en/products