Biogas:Converting Waste to Energy

Author: Andrea Isabel Casillas Hernández

Introduction

Today more than ever new ways are needed to produce energy more environmentally friendly. Have
you ever heard of biogas? Biogas is a type of biofuel that is naturally produced from the decomposition
of organic waste. When organic matter, such as food scraps and animal waste, break down in an
anaerobic environment (an environment absent of oxygen) they release a blend of gases, primarily
methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2). Because this decomposition happens in an anaerobic
environment, the process of producing biogas is also known as anaerobic digestion.

Development

Biogas is fast becoming a valuable energy source which is contributing to the electric capacity, which is
being generated throughout the world, also can be produced from a vast variety of raw materials
(feedstocks). The biggest role in the biogas production process is played by microbes feeding on the
biomass.

Biogas is produced using new technology in a process involving several stages:

1. Biowaste is crushed into smaller pieces and slurrified (adding liquid to the biowaste to make it
easier to process) to prepare it for the anaerobic digestion process.
2. Microbes need warm conditions, so the biowaste is heated to around 37 °C.
3. The actual biogas production takes place through anaerobic digestion in large tanks for about
three weeks.
4. In the final stage, the gas is purified (upgraded) by removing impurities and carbon dioxide.

After these stages, the biogas is ready for use, for example in a liquefied form or following injection
into the gas pipeline network

Conclusion

Why using biogas is important?

Create new jobs and opportunities: Biogas is already being used in rural areas as well as in urban areas.
Based on the industry needs, the creation of biogas is creating many job opportunities

It is a clean energy: Biogas is the ideal way to ensure that all areas have access to electricity. As a fairly
cheap source of electricity, biogas is a fuel source that has the power to provide decent energy to the
world.

Value-added products: The biogas produced can be used for purposes such as fuelling municipal waste
management vehicles, urban buses or private cars.
References

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 Kent, J. & Riegel (2007). Kent and Riegel's handbook of industrial chemistry and biotechnology
(11ra ed.). Springer.
 Siirala, A. (2013). BIOGAS [Ebook]. AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF CHEMICAL
TECHNOLOGY KE-40.4120 Introduction to biorefineries and biofuels. Retrieved 17 October
2020, from https://advancedbiofuelsusa.info/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/3_BiogasRevised.pdf.