Abstract
The smart combination of renewable energy sources and technologies will be a fundamental tool for developing the energy systems of the future and achieving carbon-neutrality by 2050. Biomethane produced by biogas upgrading is a renewable alternative to natural gas and it is able to abate greenhouse gas emissions from transport, which represent 25% of the total emissions in European Union. This biofuel can be used in applications such as heating, transport and electric energy generation, since it has the same properties as natural gas. It can be directly injected into the existing gas network as a low-carbon alternative to natural gas, using the current infrastructures. The strategic biomethane role determines a particular attention to potential hazards associated with its production. In particular, one of the main hazards is the possible formation of potentially explosive atmospheres due to accidental releases from components, such as valves, flanges, compressors, etc. The biomethane compression is the most hazardous phase of its production process, because it occurs in an indoor place (compression unit) and it is characterized by the maximum pressure values, which can exceed 70-80 bar. The paper is focused on compression unit and the influence of levels of biomethane production pressure on Atex zones classification has been studied. In particular, the study is aimed at indicating the air velocity values, which allow to achieve the best dilution degree and consequently decrease the hazardousness of zone generated by the accidental biomethane emission from compressor.
