Cetna Energy, an alternative-energy development and operating company, has commissioned MAN Energy Solutions to deliver the detailed engineering for a methanation plant. With a capacity of close to 1 million British thermal units (MMBtu), the plant will generate synthetic methane. The carbon dioxide (CO₂) and H₂ required for this is derived from woody biomass. The synthetic methane produced in the process is considered climate-neutral and in this case is classified as renewable natural gas (RNG). It is expected that the reactor will provide approximately 125 MMBtu, or about 2.7 tons, of RNG per hour while simultaneously consuming around 7.2 tons of CO₂.

“We at Cetna are very excited to be working with MAN Energy Solutions for our RNG plant in Brent, Alabama. MAN Energy Solutions brings to the project, not only excellent technology but unparalled experience and expertise,” emphasized Mark L. Warner – Cetna Energy President and CEO.

RNG from woody biomass. In Brent, Alabama, Cetna Energy's plant will produce syngas (H2+CO) from local wood mill residues, which will then be processed into H₂ and CO₂ in a water-gas shift reaction. MAN Energy Solutions' methanation reactor will subsequently convert these gases into RNG and will be fed into the local gas grid.

Wagner Canelhas – Regional Sales Manager at MAN Energy Solutions, Houston, said, "We are very pleased that both MAN and Cetna are convinced about the Methanation performance and feasibility values during the basic engineering phase. This project demonstrates that MAN Energy Solutions' methanation solutions are ideally suited for biomass gasification in addition to classic Power‑to‑X applications."

Under the terms of the project, MAN Energy Solutions is responsible for the methanation package, employing an MAN DWE SNG solution. The system achieves a very high product-quality in a single run. It features a simple, compact design with only a single reactor followed by a small quality booster stage to make the RNG compliant with US pipeline specifications. This not only reduces space requirements but also operating costs.

In this project phase, MAN Energy Solutions will adapt the plant design at its Deggendorf, Germany site to meet applicable US standards, delivering the technical specifications and final scope of delivery which ultimately form the basis for the customer's investment decision.

Specialty construction company – Primoris Services Corporation – is acting as general engineering contractor in charge of detailed planning and control, procurement, as well as the execution of construction and assembly work. Burkes Mechanical provides the land and state of the art mechanical fabrication as well as support for construction, installation, electrical and instrumentation.