Difference Between Biomethane And Biogas

In this article, you will learn what is the basic difference between biomethane and biogas, What are the similarities between each, and what are their importance. Let’s dive in!

The main difference between biomethane and biogas is that Biomethane is a type of biogas that contains 90% methane, while Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Biomethane and biogas are two gases produced by anaerobic digestion . The raw materials for the production of biomethane and biogas are agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, wastewater, green waste and food waste.

Additionally, biomethane and biogas serve as renewable energy sources.

Give The Main Differences Between Biomethane And Biogas

Biomethane	Biogas
Sustainable fuel that is produced using biogas upgraders that remove CO2 from biogas.	Gaseous fuel, especially methane, produced by the fermentation of organic matter.
It contains 90% methane.	It contains between 45 and 75% methane.
It contains a greater amount of methane.	Contains a smaller amount of methane.
Production methods : biomass improvement and thermal gasification and methanation.	Production methods : biodigesters, landfill gas recovery system and wastewater treatment plants.

What is Biomethane?

Biomethane or “renewable natural gas” is an almost pure source of methane . Biomethane production can be done by two methods: through biogas “upgrading”, a process that removes CO2 and other contaminants present in biogas, or through gasification of solid biomass followed by methanation.

These two methods typically increase methane levels to a level similar to that of natural gas.

Biomass improvement

The total methane concentration of the biomethane produced by biogas upgrading is 90%. This method uses different properties of various gases to separate them from biomethane.

Thermal gasification and methanization

The second method of biomethane production is thermal gasification, followed by methanization. In general, this method is best suited for woody biomass, which first decomposes into a gas mixture including carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and methane.

To produce biomethane from it, the methanation process uses a catalyst to react hydrogen and carbon monoxide into carbon dioxide.

The remaining carbon dioxide and water are then removed at the end of the method.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is a mixture of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide . In an oxygen-free environment, anaerobic digestion is the biogas production method.

Furthermore, the composition of biogas varies depending on the raw material and the production route.

The methane content of biogas typically ranges between 45% and 75% by volume, with most of the remainder being CO2.

The three main routes of biogas production are biodigesters, landfill gas recovery systems and wastewater treatment plants.

Biodigesters

Biodigesters are airtight systems that use natural microorganisms to decompose organic matter.

Before use, all contaminants and moisture can be removed.

Landfill gas recovery systems

This method uses the decomposition of municipal solid waste (MSW) under anaerobic conditions in landfills to produce biogas.

Wastewater treatment plants

Wastewater treatment plants recover organic matter, solids and nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from sewage sludge.

With subsequent treatment, sewage sludge can be used as an input to produce biogas in an anaerobic digester.

Similarities between biomethane and biogas

Biomethane and biogas are two sources of energy from the fermentation of organic materials.

Furthermore, for both, methane is the key component and source of energy.

Biomethane Vs Biogas

Definition

Biomethane refers to a sustainable fuel that is produced by biogas upgraders that remove CO2 from biogas, while biogas refers to a gaseous fuel, especially methane, produced by the fermentation of organic matter.

Methane content

Typically, biomethane contains 90% methane, while biogas contains 45 to 75% methane.

Importance

Biomethane contains a greater amount of methane while biogas contains a smaller amount.

Production methods

Biomass upgrading and thermal gasification and methanation are the two biomethane production methods, while biodigesters, landfill gas recovery systems and wastewater treatment plants are the biogas production methods.

Conclusion

In summary, biomethane and biogas are two types of energy sources. Furthermore, its production method is the anaerobic fermentation of organic matter.

Methane is the main source of energy in both biomethane and biogas.

In general, biomethane contains about 90% methane, while biogas only contains between 45% and 75% methane.

Therefore, the main difference between biomethane and biogas is their composition.

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Help Resources On This Topic:

• https://www.terega.fr/en/lab/what-is-the-difference-between-biogas-and-biomethane
• https://www.gasdata.co.uk/2022/08/08/what-is-biogas-biomethane/