BIOGAS

What is biogas? Biogas is usually methane which is collected from animal manure and other organic material which gives off methane as it decomposes anaerobically (that is, without air). If this gas is collected in a centralized plant it can be used to create energy by generating electricity. Any residue is available as an organic fertilizer which is less harmful than chemical fertilizers. In detail Biogas consists of methane and is thus the same kind of gas to natural gas. The difference is how it is formed. Natural gas is stored in the earth's crust as oil, while biogas is renewable and is made of organic material. The material (eg sewage sludge, manure, meat and catering waste) rots in an oxygen-free environment and in the process forms a gas composed of methane and carbon dioxide. The gas is purified from carbon dioxide and the remaining is a gas consisting of 97 percent methane that can be used as a vehicle fuel or to generate electricity. Biogas is a renewable biofuel, and is classified as one of our cleanest fuels. If biogas is used as vehicle fuel instead of gasoline it reduces emissions and the use of fossil oil. Biogas is formed in a natural degradation process of biological material, and, unlike petrol and diesel, is a renewable energy source that is part of nature's cycle.

What can biogas be used for? Biogas is energy rich and is well suited as a source of energy within many areas. Biogas for heating Perhaps the easiest way to use biogas is for heating. This is because, for this purpose, no pretreatment other than the removal of water is required. Biogas is usually used for heating buildings in conjunction with a biogas plant, but surplus heat can also be directed into the district heating network.

Biogas power generation Biogas energy can also be used to generate power. Both electricity and heat can be produced with the help of a gas powered generator. The proportions of heat and power generated depend of course on the design of the plant but are usually in the region of 35 per cent electricity and 65 per cent heat. Biogas as vehicle fuel Relatively speaking, biogas requires considerable processing if it is to be used as vehicle fuel. The energy value has to be raised by separating carbon dioxide in order to achieve a methane content of between 95 and 99 per cent. Water, impurities and particles must be removed to avoid mechanical as well as environmental damage. Finally, the gas has to be compressed. Although significant work is needed to upgrade methane gas to biogas fuel, the environmental benefits are so great that an increasing number of filling stations are opening throughout the country. There are at present between 40 and 50 biogas stations in Sweden and the aim is to have 100 before the end of 2007. Approximately 4,000 vehicles now run on biogas fuel on Swedish roads. Biogas in the gas network Refined biogas can be injected into existing gas networks. Networks for town gas were perhaps more common before but, in Stockholm for example, there is a functioning network with natural gas being used for gas cookers, heaters, baking ovens, water heaters etc. Biogas in industry Many industries such as sugar refineries, distilleries, dairies and paper mills generate processing and waste water that can be digested directly on site. Biogas can thus be used for heating premises, district heating power production, heating ovens etc.

What are the advantages of biogas?

There are numerous environmental benefits. Biogas is an effective, renewable, non-fossil fuel with a high methane content that does not compound the greenhouse effect. Furthermore, emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon oxide, carbon monoxides and hydrocarbons are small in comparison to petrol and diesel.

A clean fuel Biogas is an energy rich fuel and can be used to produce heat and power and can also be used as vehicle fuel. Compared to the use of diesel for vehicles, biogas emits 80 per cent less hydrocarbons and 60 per cent less nitrogen oxides. The concentration of particles and dust is also negligible in when biogas is burned. Biogas never runs out Animal and food waste and sewage sludge undergo natural anaerobic digestion in an oxygen-free environment. This means that all animal and human waste can be broken down by a bacterial process. The rest products of the anaerobic digestion are returned to Nature, so biogas is included in the category of renewable energy sources. In short, as long as humans and animals exist on the planet, biogas will go on being produced. The supply is unlimited.