Biogas
Biogas is formed by anaerobic digestion, that is, the microbial degradation of organic material such as farm wastes or energy crops. This process is sometimes referred to as ‘biomethanation’.
Biogas is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide, but may also contain small amounts of nitrogen, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, as well water vapour and contaminants such as hydrogen sulphide and siloxanes.
After a relatively striaght-forward clean-up process, biogas (sometimes called biomethane or renewable natural gas (RNG)) can be used as a fuel. Biogas has been used as a fuel for many centuries, and in the UK, the city of Exeter used biogas for street lighting as early as 1895.
The production of biogas not only provides a ‘renewable’ source of energy, it also offers a use for waste products that might otherwise be difficult to dispose of.
The waste products from biogas generation iteslf are water and fermented organic material which can be used as a high-quality fertiliser.
Typically, anaerobic digestion requires a heat source, and so biogas is often used to fuel combined heat and power (CHP) plant that produces both electricity and heat. The heat can be used for the anaerobic digestion process and can also be used to pasteurise animal-derived waste so that it can be used as fertilisers.
Combined heat and power plant can feed electricity into the national grid, and so biogas installations may qualify for payments under the renewable heat incentive (RHI) scheme (other than biogas from landfill).
Biogas can also be cleaned of carbon dioxide and fed into the national grid.
Net Zero by 2050, A Roadmap for the Global Energy Sector, published by the International Energy Agency in May 2021, defines biogas as: ‘A mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and small quantities of other gases produced by anaerobic digestion of organic matter in an oxygen-free environment.’
Is suggests that biogases: ‘Include biogas and biomethane.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Anaerobic digestion (repeats some of the text in this article).
- Biomass.
- Biomaterial.
- Conventional liquid biofuel.
- Environmental impact of biomaterials and biomass (FB 67).
- Feed in tariff.
- Gas Goes Green.
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
- Mains gas.
- Natural gas.
- Oil - a global perspective.
- Peak oil.
- Renewable energy.
- Renewable heat incentive.
- Shale gas.
- Types of fuel.
- Water vapour.
- Zero carbon homes.
- Zero carbon non-domestic buildings.
Featured articles and news
Investors in People: CIOB achieves gold
Reflecting a commitment to employees and members.
Scratching beneath the surface; a guide to selection.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
For the World Autism Awareness Month of April.
70+ experts appointed to public sector fire safety framework
The Fire Safety (FS2) Framework from LHC Procurement.
Project and programme management codes of practice
CIOB publications for built environment professionals.
The ECA Industry Awards 2024 now open !
Recognising the best in the electrotechnical industry.
Sustainable development concepts decade by decade.
The regenerative structural engineer
A call for design that will repair the natural world.
Buildings that mimic the restorative aspects found in nature.
CIAT publishes Principal Designer Competency Framework
For those considering applying for registration as a PD.
BSRIA Building Reg's guidance: The second staircase
An overview focusing on aspects which most affect the building services industry.
Design codes and pattern books
Harmonious proportions and golden sections.
Introducing or next Guest Editor Arun Baybars
Practising architect and design panel review member.
Quick summary by size, shape, test, material, use or bonding..