The decomposition of waste produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas, which is released into the atmosphere. However, this gas can be captured and used to create biogas and biomethane, both of which are renewable energy sources. By optimising the production of these gases from landfill waste, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help mitigate climate change. In this article we will look at how to control and optimise biogas production.
Biogas is produced when micro-organisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen. This process is called anaerobic digestion. Biogas is mainly composed of methane and carbon dioxide. When organic waste decomposes in a landfill, it produces methane. This is a powerful greenhouse gas. It traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to climate change.
The good news is that we can control methane emissions from landfills. By capturing methane and using it as an energy source, we can reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help slow down climate change.
Biogas is typically composed of 60-70% methane, 30-40% carbon dioxide and traces of other gases such as water vapour, oxygen and nitrogen.
The exact composition varies depending on the type of waste that has decomposed to create the biogas in the first place.
Methane, the main component of natural gas, is a powerful greenhouse gas. In fact, it is about 30 times more efficient than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. This is why it is so important to control methane emissions from landfills.
There are two main ways to control methane emissions from landfills:
When methane is collected and used as fuel, it is called biogas.
The most common use of biogas is as a fuel. In many parts of the world, it is used to heat homes and power vehicles. Biomethane is a form of natural gas that can be used instead of traditional propane or other fossil fuels. It is produced by the decomposition of organic matter, such as food waste or sewage, and is a renewable resource.
Biogas can also be used to generate electricity. In fact, it is one of the most efficient ways to generate electricity from organic matter. When burned in a power plant, biogas releases heat that can be used to produce steam, which in turn drives a turbine and generates electricity.
The most important factor in determining the value of biogas is its methane content. Methane has a high energy density and is the main component of natural gas. The higher the methane content, the higher the value of the biogas.
There are two ways to increase the methane content:
The first method is simply to increase the amount of waste going to landfills. This will provide more food for the bacteria and lead to increased methane production.
However, this method is not very effective and may even lead to a decrease in methane concentrations if the landfill is not managed properly.
The second method is to increase the efficiency of the digestion process. This can be achieved by controlling the temperature and pH of the landfill and the amount of oxygen present.
By doing this, it is possible to encourage the growth of methane-producing bacteria while inhibiting the growth of other bacteria. This results in a higher methane content in the biogas.
Both methods can be used to increase the value of the biogas, but the second method is more effective.
If you are looking to produce more methane from your landfill, it is important to control the conditions under which it is produced and its final composition.
Expressed in this way, the process of turning biogas into energy may seem simple, but it is much more complex in terms of the technologies involved.
The gas market is rapidly evolving and requires a precise, robust, reliable and automatic industrial process.
The composition of the biogas must be controlled throughout its production and purification.
Fuji Electric has developed a reliable, accurate and robust 19'' rack-mounted industrial analyzer ZPAF and turnkey solution system ZPSB as a cabinet or a field shelter in order to monitor biogas composition facing these extremely high requirements both in terms of metrology and corrosion resistance.
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