Countries across the globe are realizing the importance of biogas - an environmentally friendly fuel. India is no different. Over the past few years, the Indian government has been proactively developing and implementing policies or strategies concerning the use of biogas in the country.
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Biomethane is a term we often hear when the conversation revolves around renewable natural gasses. It is produced through solid biomass gasification or anaerobic digestion, after which it is upgraded (purified) using a biogas upgradation system, wherein carbon dioxide and other impurities are removed. However, these processes are unknown to the general public. Thus, this blog aims to uncover the different production processes for methane generation, i.e., biomethane. So, continue reading. Production Processes of BiomethaneAnaerobic DigestionAnaerobic digestion refers to a set of biological processes wherein microorganisms break organic matter like wastewater biosolids, animal manure, food wastes, etc., in the absence of O2 (Oxygen). The process of anaerobic digestion starts with bacterial hydrolysis of biodegradable materials to separate insoluble organic polymers like carbohydrates and make them accessible to more bacteria. Amino acids and sugars are converted into ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, and organic acids. Following this conversion, acetogenic bacteria work to convert the obtained organic acids to acetic acid alongside additional hydrogen, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. Lastly, methanogens convert these acids into carbon dioxide and methane. One of this process's most popular outcomes is biogas, which is further used to generate heat and electricity. In addition, the biogas purification system can purify biomethane for further use. Biomass GasificationIt refers to the thermochemical conversion of biomass to syngas (gaseous fuels) under several atmospheres like oxygen, air, and steam. Biomass gasification occurs in the presence of gasifying agents that interact with solid char and hydrocarbons to transform them into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The syngas (a mixture of several gasses including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and methane) heat content depends on the type of gasifying agent. The syngas is then purified to reduce the presence of water, carbon dioxide, and more unwanted components in the methanation process. Power to MethaneP2M, an acronym for Power to Methane process, refers to storing sustainable electricity surpluses in the gaseous form i.e., methane. The entire P2M system runs on the basis of the Biological Hydrogen Methanation (BHM) process that uses carbon dioxide from biogas upgradation and hydrogen from an alkaline electrolyzer. Coming back to the P2M process, it uses surplus electricity for electrolysis, wherein H2O is broken to form H2. Simultaneously, CO2 is obtained from biogas, bioethanol production, flue gas, or ambient air, which is further utilized for the methanation of H2. Based on the carbon dioxide source, the derived methane is either a renewable fuel of non-biological origin, biofuel, or a recycled carbon fuel, all of which have greenhouse gas emission advantages over fossil methane. Wrapping UpThe production of biomethane is rightly described as “best from waste” as it benefits industries and the environment. Its composition is similar to that of natural gas. As a result, there is a wide possibility of using biomethane, AKA RNG, as fuel in vehicles, CHP plants, stoves, and industrial activities involving the gas grid.
Biogas is an essential resource of energy supply that will also be used for heating homes. Philip Fosbel, an associate professor at the Technical University of Denmark researches technology to upgrade biogas & eliminate CO2 as well as other undesired substances, sulfur for instance before it is transferred to the natural gas grid. Danish biogas has already replaced Russian gas of DKK 3.7 billion within the first 8 months of 2022, say the trade association Biogas Denmark. As of now, biogas accounts for about 40 percent of the methane in the natural gas grid which is supplied to individual consumers and companies, but these stats will change in the future. Danish Energy Agency envisages biogas accounting for 72 percent of the gas flowing into the grid by the year 2030. Fosbel believes that the existing crisis in the natural gas market will subside gradually in the next 2 to 3 years which will streamline the natural gas supply in the country. Natural gas will continue to be the mainstay of power generation in CHP plants when turbines and solar energy fail to generate sufficient power. Fosbel places his bet on the Thyra gas field and believes that when it reopens in 2024, Denmark will be able to produce the needed volume of gas. This will slash pricing to a big extent and as biogas production is scaled up, the country will phase out fossil gas by the year 2030. He also said that the natural gas grid will be leveraged as a key infrastructure to supply methane produced from biogas and hydrogen produced in Power-to-X-plants where wind power and water are utilized to convert hydrogen into liquid hydrogen through electrolysis. Philip Fosbel also forecasts that it will be a blend of methane and hydrogen that we will use for both industrial and residential purposes. The current energy crisis transpired in the wake of Russia ceasing the natural gas supply, particularly due to the current European infrastructure that doesn’t have methods to accept gas from ships and unavailability of refueling facilities in the major ports. With plenty of research projects focused on biogas upgradation and 3 demonstration plants where researchers will test different technologies to enhance the use of biogas, Denmark is all set to smoothen their green transition. Another noteworthy project is Bio-ReFuel which will focus on converting biogas into liquid fuel methanol. This plant will have a daily production capacity of 240 m3. That’s not the only project as BioCO2 is another remarkable project which focuses on the utilization of C02 in biogas to achieve better quality with low energy consumption. If you need more information about biogas upgradation, carbon dioxide scrubber, or hydrogen sulfide scrubber, feel free to connect with us.
World’s pioneering wet waste company GAIL is all set to partner with Ranchi Municipal Corporation (RMC) to produce environment friendly fuel. They are soon looking to sign a contract to convert wet waste into biogas. Manoj Kumar- the commissioner of RMC said that the proposal has already been sent to state urban development department for consideration. Once it gets a nod from the department, the MOU will be signed between GAIL and RMC. Biogas upgradation systems are being encouraged worldwide and GAIL India Limited has sent a proposal to RMC to set-up a compressed biogas plant to manufacture biogas which would be used in automotive stations and domestic pipelines. He also added that this biogas upgradation plant will help save about Rs. 10,000 to 40,000 every month which is otherwise spent in waste transportation. Biogas upgradation plants are need of the hour. It is interesting to know that about out of over 550 tonnes of waste, 300 tonnes is wet waste and recycling of this waste will help solve many problems we have faced so far. Wet waste is inclusive of a number of items from routine life such as raw and cooked kitchen leftovers and hence it is biodegradable. This waste includes peels, wilted flowers and fruits apart from some other items. Currently all the waste is dumped in Jhiri which is about 15 kms away from Ranchi. As we all know compressed biogas is considered fuel of the future and it has the potential to replace CNG which is used in automotive, commercial and industrial sectors for various applications. It is an open secret that there is no dearth of biomass availability in our country and since compressed biogas has properties similar to CNG, this project will open new avenues for all of us. For more information related to the upcoming compressed biogas purification project or biogas upgrading process, feel free to get in touch with us.
LA County Sanitation Districts is all set to convert food waste from supermarkets and restaurants into RNG fuel for transport. The food waste includes spoiled fruit, dinner scraps, and vegetables. They have been converting food waste for electricity generation for more than 6 years and now looking to take it to another level altogether by setting up a biogas plant which will help recycle the waste. Robert C Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager at The Sanitation Districts said the RNG fuel produced by the biogas purification system will be used in cars, buses and trucks. This cost-effective solution is being welcomed by everyone. Biogas upgradation plants across the world say that it is a welcome move. The entire process is quite streamlined. Waste haulers collect food waste from their customers, and it is later delivered to the Puente Hills Materials Recovery Facility in Whittier. Special equipment at the facility is used in order to separate contaminants such as forks and plastic bags. Here, the food waste is blended into slurry. This slurry is then transported to the wastewater treatment plant in Carson which is then added to the plant’s digesters. Some of the biogas is sent to the Sanitation Districts’ Carson power plant which is used to generate electricity. This electricity is used to run the treatment plant. Some of the biogas is sent to the newly set up purification system for the purpose of RNG fuel production. It may interest you that this RNG fuel production facility can produce RNG equivalent of 2000 gallons of petrol every day. Head of the Sanitation Districts Solid Waste Management Department, Bob Asgian said that the facility manages both solid and wastewater and it is already equipped with state-of-the-art machines needed for effective food waste recycling. The need for compressed biogas plants is constantly increasing because of increasing renewable fuel generation needs. Companies manufacturing biogas plants in India say that RNG fuel is the future and hence biogas upgrading is also increasing at a rapid pace. If you need more information related to biogas upgradation plants or CBG plants, feel free to get in touch with us.
RNG which stands for Renewable Natural Gas has garnered immense popularity lately. It looks like it is gradually becoming a preferred transportation fuel and statistics vouch for that. NGV (Natural Gas Vehicle) technology was introduced in 1990s and that soon became established due to its clean air properties. RNG fuel offers plenty of benefits and that’s why it has become so sought after in recent years. In recent years the increased fueling with biomethane or renewable natural gas increased environmental benefits. Carbon footprint has been a concern for all countries across the globe and RNG answers that question pretty effectively, including biogas plants in India. Let’s take a look at some of the major advantages of RNG fuel- 1. Cleaner air Since RNG gives rise to cleaner air, its production has increased massively in US and Canada. According to the reports, there are about 110 RNG production operational facilities in US and Canada and almost another 100 are under construction. An ICF report says that in the next 20 years, US will be able to produce enough RNG to meet 75 percent of US’ fuel needs. Climate change and clean air are very important concerns which are required to be addressed and that will become possible through the use of natural gas vehicles. As of now, there are only about 43 percent heavy duty trucks which comply with EPA’s latest NOX standards in US. 2. Cost effective Cost-effectiveness is another major benefit of RNG, which can be produced at biogas to CNG plants. It is a proven and affordable solution that is known to have carbon Neutral emissions. It is considered a perfect and cost-effective option for heavy duty vehicles. 3. Get ready for a carbon free future The electric industry is constantly working towards facilitating a carbon free future. It is anticipated that by 2050 natural gas industry will emit net zero carbon. This will be possible through a combination of increased use of renewable fuels and the introduction of hydrogen apart from other conventional natural gas carbon sequestration technologies. 39% of all on road natural gas based vehicles were fueled using renewable natural gas or renewable natural gas use has increased by a whopping 291% in the past five years. This has helped displace 7.5 million tons of carbon dioxide. Clearly, this is a huge amount. Hope you found the post useful. For more interesting articles and blogs related to biogas to bio cng plants, stay tuned. If you have any questions about biogas to cng plants costs, feel free to write in to us.
Compressed Natural Gas is one of the best and most environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. This fuel source is naturally produced and has a far lower environmental cost than many others. That is why it is a good alternative. Many people are not aware about why suddenly there are so many new biogas companies in India and their benefits. Knowing these benefits can help society achieve environmental goals much more easily. Here is a list. Advantages of Bio-CNG in India1. Reduced Soil and Water PollutionBiogas is generated naturally and this means that it has a very small soil and water pollution factor compared to other fuels. Other forms of waste often create arid conditions in the nearby areas or deteriorate the quality of the soil and water table. They can lead to pathogens and other microbes seeping into the soil and water. This creates long-term problems which must be addressed by environmental conservation measures individually. However, a Compressed biogas plant will have a fraction of this environmental cost while delivering a very good fuel source as well. 2. Creates Organic FertilizerAnother major reason why bio-CNG in India is such an important fuel source is the by-product it offers. As an agrarian nation, India has a constant need for high-quality fertilizer. The bio-product of Biogas production results in some very high quality fertilizers. This by-product can then be used in agricultural fields which will help in getting better yields from farming land. Also, the biogas can help fuel tractors and other farming equipment as well. This is naturally a multi-purpose solution to all kinds of fuel and fertilizer needs in rural or semi-rural areas. 3. Low Production CostSetting up a Compressed Biogas Plant is a rather inexpensive process. In fact, it can be done at a fraction of the cost required to set up other plants. A biogas to CNG plant is very cost efficient as well, which means it provides a very quick payback period, usually 2-3 years, and larger plants provide it even faster. This means that the biogas company/entrepreneur need not wait for a long period to recover the costs and multiple plants can be set up together. 4. Viable Fuel Source for Poorer HouseholdsThe total distribution and retail cost of CNG is very low compared to other fuel sources. This makes it a great alternative for conventional fuel options like wood or gasoline. Also, since the installation of a CBG plant in the local area will result in jobs, the total economic impact of biogas in India is significantly rewarding. 5. Environmental AdvantageBiogas is one of the cleanest and most efficient sources of heat and power generation in India. There are several biogas companies in India which produce a considerable volume of biogas. This helps fuel many households without much operational, economic or environmental cost. All of these factors make biogas a great choice for fuel source generation and environmental conservation. Is Biogas the Right Fuel Source for a Developing India?Biogas is a great fuel source for India’s economy as it combines all of the above advantages, it delivers the most viable economic solution for fuel needs in rural and urban areas alike. That is why it is considered a great investment and there are several profitable biogas companies in India.
The popularity of biogas has certainly increased in the past few years and it is only going to become even more popular. Biogas upgradation companies in India encourage the use of this renewable energy because of the numerous benefits it offers. The use of natural gas is increasing across the world and not just in India. Natural gas vehicles are trending pretty fast. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports suggest that the natural gas market is all poised to grow by 1.2 billion by the year 2025. In this post we will see why renewable natural gas (RNG) is the future. 1. GHG Emission ControlFor the governments and people across the globe, pollution control and sustainability are one of the major concerns at the moment. Since renewable energy is produced from organic waste such as manure, wastewater treatment plants and landfills, it is a great way to run vehicles. Heavy as well as medium sized vehicles can easily be run using this energy without having a negative impact on the environment. Government bodies and companies can significantly improve their GHG emission profile by simply putting RNG into use. Environmental goals can be easily achieved by using RNG. It can bring the change we are looking for. 2. Cleaner, Quieter and Cost-Effective Vehicles Using RNG means cleaner, quieter and cost-effective vehicles. If you already own a fleet of vehicles with LNG and CNG adoption, you can go for using RNG without having to incur any additional costs. Biogas purification companies in India say that RNG production can also derive benefits from any existing natural gas infrastructure. It can easily be injected into any pipeline provided that it meets the gas quality norms. RNG Industry will Continue to Grow In the US, the RNG industry is receiving a huge support because of the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and also low-carbon state mandates. While in the year 2018, the industry produced more than 200 million of GGE, it is estimated to grow by thirty percent every year. It is no exaggeration that RNG is the future. Various state and federal programs in the US support RNG vehicle fuel. Fleets can certainly benefit by using RNG. RNG is a great fuel alternative for vehicles as it not only assures great performance, but cost-effectiveness also.
Hope you found the post useful. For more information pertaining to RNG or biogas plants in India, feel free to get in touch with us. We will be more than happy to respond to your queries. Today, there has been a rapid growth in the application and installation of renewable energy sources globally,and biogas is no exception. Biogas is mainly produced in anaerobic conditions by fermenting organic wastes. To make it ready for use as a clean fuel, it needs to go through a rigorous cleaning and upgradation process. This increases the calorific value of the biogas. In this process, undesirable gases like carbon dioxide, sulfur, hydrogen sulfide, and moisture are removed. The Pressure Swing Adsorption or PSA is the most common procedure for purifying biogas. A typical biogas upgradation system comprises of 2vessels in a series. These vesselsare filled with certain adsorbent materials that are capable of filtering out CO2, N2, O2, and moisture from the input biogas.
ABCs of the process Most of the biogas companies in India use the PSA systems for upgradation in which each of the vessels function in an alternating cycle – pressure build up, adsorption, exhaust & regeneration. When crude biogas enters one of the 2vessels, all the impurities are adsorbed on to the surface of the adsorptionmedia filled in each of the vessels. The resultant gas collected from the top of the adsorption vessel thus contains more than 97% pure CH4 or methane gas. Steps that are followed in a PSA system Most of the renowned biogas companies in India follow the same PSA system for biogas upgradation. The pressure build-up that is required is achieved by equilibrating pressure fromthe exhausted vessel that is now depressurizing. The final pressure is achieved by injecting crude biogas into the biogas upgradation system. The adsorbent media that is commonly used in the purification vessels is zeolites or crystalline polymers. The adsorption of the target gas is usually done at high or medium pressure as per the standard of purified biogas that is required. If you are planning to install a biogas purification plant, you should start looking for a certified company. The biogas upgradation systems by your chosen company should be well reviewed and acclaimed for its efficiency. Growing consumption of fossil fuels and the environmental damage caused by them has led to increased use of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the transportation sector. CNG is a clean fuel and, is promoted worldwide over conventional gasoline and diesel fuels.
CNG has many advantages over conventional fuels, such as lower corrosion and wear to the engine, environmentally friendlier because of lower emissions of carbon and particulate matter per equivalent distance traveled. Also, it is lighter than air, making it safer in the case of a leak. But CNG, which is basically compressed natural gas, is also very limited and its reserves are getting exhausted at a rapid pace. Biogas is a renewable source of energy and has become a potential alternative to fossil fuels with the building of a number of Biogas plants in India. Purified or enriched biogas also called bio-CNG, is the best alternative to compressed natural gas. Calorific value is the parameter used to judge the efficiency of fuel. The average calorific value of biogas is lower than that of CNG. The difference in calorific values is mainly due to the incombustible part of biogas. Some contaminants in biogas can also damage the engine. These harmful effects of the impurities found in the raw biogas make biogas upgrading an essential requirement. The process of biogas upgradation generates new possibilities for its applicability at a larger scale as then it can be used as a substitute for natural gas. Biogas Upgrading There are a number of technologies to enrich biogas such as absorption, pressure swing adsorption, membrane separation, water scrubbing, and cryogenic separation. These enrichment methods increase the level of methane in the biogas as well as remove the impurities which affect the calorific value of the gas. Pressure Swing Adsorption is the most successful biogas upgrading method in terms of cost, efficiency and longevity. But, the ideal technology can differ from case to case and is decided by various factors such as quantity of biogas generation, desired quality of biogas, site of application, and economics of the process. Biogas contains three main impurities, namely carbon dioxide, water vapor and hydrogen sulfide and a few other impurities, depending on the type of substrate used for biogas generation. Biogas upgradation is a three-step process, starting from cleaning, drying and finally refining of the raw biogas. The first step is cleaning, which removes the H2S content, the second step is drying which removes the H20 and the final step is refining which removes the Carbon dioxide. All these steps are essential for biogas upgrading, which helps in increasing the calorific value of the final upgraded gas. |