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An Introduction to Biomethane By Salman Zafar| April 1, 2014 - 7:55 am | Anaerobic Digestion, Biogas

Biogas that has been upgraded by removing

hydrogen sulphide, carbon dioxide and moisture is

known as biomethane. Biomethane is less

corrosive than biogas, apart from being more

valuable as a vehicle fuel. The typical composition

of raw biogas does not meet the minimum CNG

fuel specifications. In particular, the CO and sulfur

content in raw biogas is too high for it to be used

as vehicle fuel without additional processing.

Liquified Biomethane

Biomethane can be liquefied, creating a product known as liquefied biomethane

(LBM). Biomethane is stored for future use, usually either as liquefied biomethane or compressed

biomethane (CBM) or since its production typically exceeds immediate on-site demand. Two of the

main advantages of LBM are that it can be transported relatively easily and it can be dispensed to

either LNG vehicles or CNG vehicles. Liquid biomethane is transported in the same manner as LNG,

that is, via insulated tanker trucks designed for transportation of cryogenic liquids.

Compressed Biomethane

Biomethane can be stored as CBM to save space. The gas is stored in steel cylinders such as those

typically used for storage of other commercial gases. Storage facilities must be adequately fitted

with safety devices such as rupture disks and pressure relief valves. The cost of compressing gas to

high pressures between 2,000 and 5,000 psi is much greater than the cost of compressing gas for

medium-pressure storage. Because of these high costs, the biogas is typically upgraded to

biomethane prior to compression.

Applications of Biomethane

The utilization of biomethane as a source of energy is a crucial step toward a sustainable energy

supply. Biomethane is more flexible in its application than other renewable sources of energy. Its

ability to be injected directly into the existing natural gas grid allows for energy-efficient and cost-

effective transport. This allows gas grid operators to enable consumers to make an easy transition

to a renewable source of gas. The diverse, flexible spectrum of applications in the areas of

electricity generation, heat provision, and mobility creates a broad base of potential customers.

Biomethane can be used to generate electricity and heating from within smaller decentralized, or

large centrally-located combined heat and power plants. It can be used by heating systems with a

highly efficient fuel value, and employed as a regenerative power source in gas-powered vehicles.

Biomethane to Grid

Biogas can be upgraded to biomethane and injected into the natural gas grid to substitute natural

gas or can be compressed and fuelled via a pumping station at the place of production.

Biomethane can be injected and distributed through the natural gas grid, after it has been

compressed to the pipel ine pressure. In many EU countries, the access to the gas grid is guaranteedfor all biogas suppliers.

One important advantage of using gas grid for biomethane distribution is that the grid connects the

production site of biomethane, which is usually in rural areas, with more densely populated areas.

This enables the gas to reach new customers. Injected biomethane can be used at any ratio with

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natural gas as vehicle fuel.

Biomethane is more flexible in its application than other renewable sources of energy.

The main barriers for biomethane injection are the high costs of upgrading and grid connection.

Grid injection is also limited by location of suitable biomethane production and upgrading sites,

which have to be close to the natural gas grid.

Several European nations have introduced standards (certification systems) for injecting biogas into

the natural gas grid. The standards, prescribing the limits for components like sulphur, oxygen,

particles and water dew point, have the aim of avoiding contamination of the gas grid or the end

users. In Europe, biogas feed plants are in operation in Sweden, Germany, Austria, the Netherlands,

Switzerland and France.

Tagged Anaerobic digestion, bioCNG, Biogas, biogas as vehicle fuel, biogas storage, biomethane, compressed biogas,

Compressed natural gas, EU, Europe, France, Grid Injection, LBM, Liquified Biogas, liquified biomethane, Natural gas grid,

storage of biomethane, Sweden, transportation fuel, uses of biomethane, vehicle fuel, what is biomethane

A Glance at Biogas Storage Systems By Salman Zafar| May 20, 2013 - 12:41 pm| Anaerobic Digestion, Biogas

Selection of an appropriate biogas storage system

makes a significant contribution to the efficiency

and safety of a biogas plant. There are two basic

reasons for storing biogas: storage for later on-site

usage and storage before and/or aftertransportation to off-site distribution points or

systems. A biogas storage system also

compensates fluctuations in the production and

consumption of biogas as well as temperature-

related changes in volume.

There are two broad categories of biogas storage systems: Internal Biogas Storage Tanks are

integrated into the anaerobic digester while External Biogas Holders are separated from the

digester forming autonomous components of a biogas plant. The simplest and least expensive

storage systems for on-site applications and intermediate storage of biogas are low-pressure

systems. The energy, safety, and scrubbing requirements of medium- and high-pressure storage

systems make them costly and high-maintenance options for non-commercial use. Such extra costs

can be best justified for biomethane or bio-CNG, which has a higher heat content and is therefore a

more valuable fuel than biogas.

Low-Pressure Storage of Biogas

Floating gas holders on the digester form a low-pressure storage option for biogas systems. These

systems typically operate at pressures below 2 psi. Floating gas holders can be made of steel,
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fiberglass, or a flexible fabric. A separate tank may be used with a floating gas holder for the

storage of the digestate and also storage of the raw biogas. A major advantage of a digester with

an integral gas storage component is the reduced capital cost of the system.

The least expensive and most trouble-free gas holder is the flexible inflatable fabric top, as it does

not react with the H S in the biogas and is integral to the digester. These types of covers are often

used with plug-flow and complete-mix digesters. Flexible membrane materials commonly used for

these gas holders include high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), linear

low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and chlorosulfonated polyethylene covered polyester.

Thicknesses for cover materials typically vary from 0.5 to 2.5 millimeters.

Medium-Pressure Storage of Cleaned Biogas

Biogas can also be stored at medium pressure between 2 and 200 psi. To prevent corrosion of the

tank components and to ensure safe operation, the biogas must first be cleaned by removing H S.

Next, the cleaned biogas must be slightly compressed prior to storage in tanks.

High-Pressure Storage of Compressed Biomethane

The typical composition of raw biogas does not meet the minimum CNG fuel specifications. In

particular, the CO and sulfur content in raw biogas is too high for it to be used as vehicle fuel

without additional processing. Biogas that has been upgraded to biomethane by removing the H S,

moisture, and CO can be used as a vehicular fuel. Biomethane is less corrosive than biogas, apart

from being more valuable as a fuel. Since production of such fuel typically exceeds immediate on-

site demand, the biomethane must be stored for future use, usually either as compressed

biomethane (CBM) or liquefied biomethane (LBM).

Two of the main advantages of LBM are that it can be transported relatively easily and it can be

dispensed to either LNG vehicles or CNG vehicles. Liquid biomethane is transported in the same

manner as LNG, that is, via insulated tanker trucks designed for transportation of cryogenic liquids.

Biomethane can be stored as CBM to save space. The gas is stored in steel cylinders such as those

typically used for storage of other commercial gases. Storage facilities must be adequately fitted

with safety devices such as rupture disks and pressure relief valves. The cost of compressing gas to

high pressures between 2,000 and 5,000 psi is much greater than the cost of compressing gas formedium-pressure storage. Because of these high costs, the biogas is typically upgraded to

biomethane prior to compression.

Tagged Biogas, biogas as vehicle fuel, Biogas Holder, Biogas Membranes, biogas storage, Biogas Storage Systems, Biogas

Storage Tank, biomethane, CBM, compressed biomethane, Gas holder, High Pressure Storage, How is B iogas Stored,

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