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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 pipeline pressure. In many EU countries, the access to the gas grid is guaranteed
for 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 after
transportation 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 for
medium-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 Biogas Stored,
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