Biogas

Biogas is a gas with 50-70% of methane (CH₄) and 50-30% of carbon dioxide (CO₂) content. It is produced by the anaerobic decomposition of organic matter. Methane, the chief combustible component of biogas, mainly determines the properties of biogas. A cubic metre of biogas has on average a methane content of about 55% and therefore a calorific value of about 5.5 kWh.

Applications

Processed biogas is completely identical to natural gas. Therefore, natural gas vehicles can fill up with biogas without the need for additional modifications. Compared to natural gas, biogas has the advantage that it is a carbon-neutral fuel because it is produced from sustainable energy crops and waste. Biogas production is the best way to preserve methane atmospheric emission and global warming prevention.

Biogas is used in various industries as natural gas; burned with the purpose of electric and heat power production. The biogas process produces no waste products! The biogas process produces a moist rest product (the biorest), about 8% dry matter. The biorest contains the important nutrients (ammonia, potassium and phosphorus), stable organic matter and biomass.

Applications of methane in various industries

Industry	Application
Electrical generation	As a fuel in gas turbine or steam boiler
Fuel	In the form of compressed natural gas (vehicle fuel)
Chemical processes	As Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)
Chemical industries	Feedstock for the production of hydrogen, methanol, acetic acid and acetic anhydride

Value Chain

Biogas is produced when organic material is fermented in the absence of air (anaerobic digestion), similar to processes in the stomachs of ruminants, wetlands, rice fields, landfills, and specifically designed biogas processes. On-farm biogas production facilities typically utilize manure as the main substrate, but other materials such as food processing waste and crop residues can be added to increase biogas production. Anaerobic digestion also produces valuable secondary products such as liquid fertilizer and livestock bedding material, as well as potentially marketable environmental attributes such as carbon offsets.

Business Opportunities from the Value Chain

Biogas production value chain provides business opportunities for entrepreneurs, equipment and machineries manufacturers and those in the service industry. The costs of biogas production depend upon a number of operating costs, including labor, maintenance, power, raw material cost and transport, and various other sundry charges, as well as a capital cost component.

Feedstock Suppliers

Substrate	Biogas yield (m³/t)
Molasses	430
Slaughter house waste	300
Fish processing wastes	300
Fat from grease trap	250
Corn silage	180-220
Biogas yield from various wastes

A number of wastes can be utilized for biogas production. These include cattle manure, pig manure, chicken dung, corn silage, fresh grass, milk whey, sugar beet pulp, molasses, sugar beet tops, technical glycerin (after biodiesel production), starch production wastes, distillery grain, distillery molasses waste water, brewer’s spent grains, fat from grease trap, slaughter house waste, fish processing wastes, sewage sludge, municipal/industrial organic waste, parts from ethanol production and crop residues. Excellent opportunities exist for those who supply the feedstocks for biogas production.

BIOGAS PRODUCTION EQUIPMENTS
Digester	Submersible mixer
Screw loader	Heating station
Inclined mixer	Automation and control
Gasholder	Separator
External gas holder	Biogas flare

Opportunities in Manufacturing Sector

Biogas production requires many equipments and machineries. Opportunities exist for companies who manufacture these equipments. In addition, biogas plants provide opportunities for companies who manufacture some additional equipment for Biogas treatment system, Co-generation units, Methane filling stations (CNG), and Wastewater treatment systems.

Service Opportunities

The service opportunities from biogas production exist for

Biogas condensation and upgrade technology developers
Chemical companies developing the production yield and efficiency
Companies specialized in environmental management
Companies who do analysis of feedstock for gas yield, fermentation, nutrient and harmful substance content.
Consultants of designing, procurement, construction and operation of biogas plants
Laboratory consultancy for biogas plants
Maintenance, service and certification businesses
Technology development for the production of heat and energy out of biogas

Global Scenario and Market Segment

The world markets for biogas is booming, gets more professional, more high tech on the way to over 80 percent plant efficiency. With a calorific value of about 5000 KCal/ m3, biogas is an excellent fuel for heating purposes as

Well as for generating electricity. About 5 million gas vehicles are in operation worldwide, which are compatible with running on both upgraded biogas and natural gas. Estimated annual biogas potential in human and animal manure 250 billion m³; Production estimated to reach 25 billion m³ by 2020.

Most countries have or develop regulatory framework for biogas. The market worldwide will reach over 50 billion US $ by 2030 for plant builder, operator and supplier. In the future local energy distribution concepts, for electricity, heat, cooling; and fuel biogas will play an important and efficient role. The biogas sector in Western Europe is faced by rapid technical and non-technical developments and innovations, and biogas markets are growing at a considerable pace. Germany, the biogas market leader, runs half of Europe’s 9,000 biogas plants. Green electricity bonus is available for electricity produced from biogas in several countries in Europe.

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