Biogas goes by several names including biomethane, digester gas, landfill gas or swamp gas. It doesn’t sound appealing no matter what you call it. Biogas is the product of decomposition of organic matter without oxygen — a.k.a. anaerobic decomposition.
Biogas is actually very versatile in that it can be used to provide electricity, heat, and fuel for vehicles. Once it’s processed to meet purity standards, biogas is labeled as renewable natural gas and can even be substituted for natural gas in natural gas vehicles.
Biogas usually contains 50% to 80% methane and 20% to 50% carbon dioxide. There may be traces of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and nitrogen gases. To compare, conventional natural gas is usually more than 70% methane with the remainder being other hydrocarbons such as propane and butane.
The use of biogas could help resolve two issues – our search for alternative fuels and disposal of landfill and other solid waste. Biogas is everywhere. Decomposing organic matter like animal byproducts, sewage and solid waste from agricultural, industrial and municipal sources is constantly producing it. Biogas has to be purified for use in vehicles and can be distributed via the existing natural gas grid.
Think of all the waste we produce as a country. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “Landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the United States.” Methane can be acquired from landfills and used to produce biogas. It’s really quite practical. Livestock produce renewable energy, too. Animal manure can be collected and delivered to an anaerobic digester to optimize methane production.
Producing biogas can create U.S. jobs and benefit local economies. Biogas reduces emissions by preventing methane release in the atmosphere. As a greenhouse gas, methane is twenty-one times stronger than carbon dioxide.
The need for renewable fuel resources is a pressing issue for many countries including the U.S. There’s something your company can do now to be prepared for the future of alternative fuels. Carbis can provide you with precision custody transfer and measuring systems that meet your specific needs. Verifying quantity and quality of your alternative fuel product requires meticulous, accurate, certified measuring equipment. Carbis’ custody transfer systems can be manufactured to use with alternative fuels or chemical liquid transfer applications.
