Renewable natural gas is a fully compatible pipeline quality gas with conservative natural gas and is effective in natural gas vehicles. The gas is made from biogas, a gaseous product from organic matter decomposition, and exists in a purity standard after the procession. Renewable natural gas is transported in different forms, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) or compressed natural gas (CNG).

On the other hand, biomethane is an accustomed and cleaned biogas and contains minimal to no traces of non-methane elements. This type of biogas replaces traditional natural gas that generates combined heating and electricity for power plants. However, the gas is not usable in vehicles.

There are different biomass sources used in biogas production using biochemical processes like gasification or anaerobic digestion. Biogas is effective in the production of heat and electricity after going through minor cleanup. It can also fuel vehicles after going through a higher purity standard process known as upgrading or conditioning that eliminates carbon dioxide, sulfide, water, and hydrogen sulfide.

Where Does Biogas Come From?

Landfills

The land is an ideal location for waste disposal gathered from industrial, commercial, and residential entities. The largest source of human-related emissions of methane in the United States is landfills. Biogas collected from landfills is known as landfill gas as its digestion process occurs in the ground instead of the aerobic digester. Landfill gas is primarily used in the production of electricity rather than powering natural gas vehicles.

Wastewater Treatment

During the removal of solid digestions in the process of wastewater treatment, one can produce biogas. The Environmental Protection Agency acknowledges that per 100 wastewater gallons, biogas production is about one cubic foot. Biogas produced in the wastewater treatment process is effective for the production of electricity as well as producing renewable energy gas for vehicles.

Livestock Operations

Biogas recovered from livestock operations are practical in the production of renewable natural gas. People collect and deliver animal manure to an anaerobic digester to optimize and stabilize the production of methane. The biogas produced during the process can be used as renewable natural gas to power natural gas vehicles.

There are also other sources of biogas that include institutional, commercial and industrial entities like supermarkets, hospitals, and restaurants. One can also produce biogas from lignocellulosic material like woody biomass and crop residues.