The MinGAS project, funded by the German Federal Environmental Foundation (Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt) under award number 37831/02‑23, is a collaboration between SedimentWorks GmbH and the Technical University of Cologne (Technische Hochschule Köln). It follows the earlier DBU‑funded project 37831/01‑23, which examined the emission‑reduction potential of a modified RemoGas methane‑harvesting method during sediment mobilization in water‑management reservoirs. The current effort extends and deepens those findings, aiming to deliver an autonomous, energy‑efficient system that simultaneously removes sediment and captures methane.

The core technical outcome is a prototype that integrates automated sediment extraction with methane harvesting during the transfer process. Key engineering advances include the conversion of frequency inverter control from proprietary protocols to the Modbus standard, enabling seamless integration with the plant’s supervisory control layer. Gas storage was upgraded by installing an electrically actuated, explosion‑proof three‑way valve and by procuring denser, more stable gas bags, which improved containment reliability and reduced leakage risk. Renewable energy supply was achieved through a photovoltaic array positioned on the platform, and a battery system was added to store surplus solar power for later use, thereby minimizing the plant’s external energy draw. An intelligent energy‑management scheme coordinates solar generation, battery charging, and plant operation to maintain near‑autarky.

During the August 2023 field test at the Wupper‑Vorsperre in Hückeswagen, the pilot plant operated successfully under manual control via a newly installed control panel. The automated sediment‑methane capture unit also performed as intended, demonstrating the feasibility of fully autonomous operation. While the report does not disclose specific quantitative performance figures, it notes that methane yield and energy consumption were recorded, and that the system achieved a significant reduction in external power requirements compared to the predecessor project. The modularization concept developed in the project allows the platform to be reconfigured for different reservoir sizes and sediment characteristics, enhancing its applicability across a range of water‑management contexts.

The project’s work packages covered automation of the plant, gas storage, energy management, energy autonomy, modularization, field testing, and dissemination. The modularization effort, in particular, was motivated by the need for flexibility and scalability; it involved designing interchangeable modules for sediment handling, gas capture, and power supply that can be assembled or disassembled with minimal downtime. The field test validated the design assumptions and highlighted areas for further refinement, such as the positioning system for the sediment‑methane unit.

Collaboration responsibilities were divided between the partners: SedimentWorks GmbH led the engineering design, hardware integration, and field deployment, while the Technical University of Cologne provided scientific oversight, process control expertise, and data analysis. The project spanned from early 2023 through the pilot test in August 2023, with the final report completed in June 2024. The successful demonstration of an autonomous, energy‑efficient sediment‑methane harvesting system marks a significant step toward sustainable reservoir management and greenhouse‑gas mitigation.