Greek ETM Demo: From Container Fit-Out to Imminent Start-Up
Over the past months, the Greek ETM demo at BLAG has progressed from design consolidation to a nearly fully assembled pilot unit, with all major equipment now procured, organized, and installed on site. Optimization of the initial reactor designs was implemented, driven by updated safety requirements and constraints related to integration with the BLAG plant interface. The three fixed-bed reactors have been fully manufactured, with only a limited set of tailor-made secondary components still pending delivery prior to full mechanical completion.
Within the container, the process layout has matured into an integrated, compact system. Pre-treatment, methanation stages, inter-stage cooling and condensation, and downstream polishing are now interconnected via the main tube network, which is currently in its final stages of completion. In parallel, the PLC-based automation layer is being completed and tested to ensure reliable start-up, steady-state, and shutdown sequences aligned with project safety standards. This tight coupling of hardware and control constitutes a key milestone toward Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) before the unit is cleared for full operation.
The GC-IMS siloxane analyzer is in use on BLAG’s biogas stream to quantify siloxane levels and support upstream measures that limit catalyst poisoning during thermocatalytic methanation. These data inform the operation strategy for the pre-treatment and polishing stages so that biogas quality remains suitable for long-term pilot operation. With piping activities approaching completion, automation commissioning underway, and only a handful of custom parts outstanding, the ETM pilot is now on the verge of FAT and subsequent on-site commissioning. We expect to “push the start button” and enter full operational mode within the next two months, generating high-value data on conversion, energy efficiency, and circular-carbon performance under real operating conditions.
