Biogas Methane: Harvesting Renewable Hydrocarbons

Methane can be readily produced by humans in much the same way it has been produced by under-the-seafloor micro-organisms for eons of geologic time. By using methanogenic microbes in anaerobic digesters, humans can convert a large outflow of garbage and waste into a renewable hydrocarbon product (plus heat) which can help to heat and power residencies, farms, businesses, and societies.

Methane within biogas can be concentrated via a biogas upgrader to the same standards as fossil natural gas(which itself has had to go through a cleaning process), and becomes biomethane. If the local gas network allows for this, the producer of the biogas may utilize the local gas distribution networks. Gas must be very clean to reach pipeline quality, and must be of the correct composition for the local distribution network to accept. Carbon dioxide, water, hydrogen sulfide and particulates must be removed if present. If concentrated and compressed it can also be used in vehicle transportation. Compressed biogas is becoming widely used in Sweden, Switzerland, and Germany. A biogas-powered train has been in service in Sweden since 2005. _Noenigma

Descriptions of single-stage and multi-stage anaerobic digestors

Big plans in the UK for the integral use of anaerobic digestion in the complete food processing cycle

Economical new approach for upgrading biogas to pure methane for integration into municipal natural gas distribution networks

Uses of the residual digestate left over from the anaerobic digestion process