This book discusses biomethane and the processes and applications
downstream from biogas production. Biogas is a result of anaerobic
digestion of agricultural or general household waste, such as manure,
plants or food waste, and as such is considered a renewable energy
source. Biomethane is a gas that results from any process that improves
the quality of biogas by reducing the levels of carbon dioxide, hydrogen
sulfide, moisture and other contaminant gases. Chemically, biomethane is
the same as methane, and its name refers to the method of production
rather than the content.
Biomethane plants are generally found in locations with a low population
density that are close to farms or food processing plants. In situations
where there is no natural gas pipeline nearby, biomethane downstream
applications can include storage, transportation, home heating,
industrial use and distribution through small-scale local gas grids.
This book discusses each of these applications and lists some of the
design criteria as well as various issues relating to them.