BOC, Optimal to build waste to fuel bioLNG facility

Bulk gases, chemicals and equipment supplier BOC and Optimal Group are to explore the development of Australia’s first waste to fuel bioLNG facility.

The companies have signed an MOU and will investigate the potential for Optimal’s subsidiary, Optimal Renewable Gas to build a $55 million, 2.4 TJ/day waste to biogas plant adjacent to BOC’s micro-LNG plant in Westbury, Tasmania (pictured).

BOC, a subsidiary of Linde plc, and its subsidiary Elgas supply LNG to industrial customers in Tasmania.

The biogas plant would provide biomethane to BOC’s micro-LNG plant, which would then be processed into bioLNG and distributed to customers in agriculture, food processing and other industries.

LNG is typically used for thermal processes and off-grid power generation at sites without access to a natural gas pipeline network, with bioLNG allowing for conversion to achieve net zero emissions, BOC said.

A BOC South Pacific director Vesna Olles said the agreement was part of BOC and Elgas’s commitment to develop low carbon gas alternatives and provide pathways for customers to decarbonise thermal energy processes.

Olles said: “BOC and Elgas are investing in new technologies, partnerships and research to progress the development of green hydrogen, green ammonia and biogases across Australia.

“We are committed to working with government, industry and customers to accelerate the transition to net zero emissions and address the key themes outlined in the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s (ARENA) Bioenergy Roadmap.

“We believe biogases will be a key part of Australia’s future energy mix particularly for hard-to-abate sectors.”

Olles said the companies were together nationally to develop further opportunities to produce biogases.

Optimal Group’s CEO Craig Dugan said: “Our aim is to build 10 grid scale biogas projects with a mix of biogas to grid and biogas to LNG over the next decade.

“Our customers are urgently seeking a solution to their thermal energy requirements and biogas offers them a commercially and technically proven alternative while solving Australia’s need to divert putrescible waste from landfill.”

Optimal Group’s Chair Dr John Hewson said putrescible waste would be diverted from landfill, sorted and processed through an Anaerobic Digester to produce biomethane.

The by-products include fertiliser, biomethane and bio carbon dioxide.

Picture: BOC micro-LNG plant, Westbury Tasmania

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