There are many research projects underway to find new sources of energy. This is the case of “biomethane“, a renewable combustible gas obtained from the purification of biogas.
In other words, a substance that originates from agri-food waste. At this time, the technological center Eurecat is participating in the European project Life Chandelier. They will test its production to advance in the sustainability of the transport sector and rural development.
How is biomethane generated and what are the characteristics that make it a more sustainable alternative.
Biomethane: what it is and how it is produced
How biogas is obtained.
Biomethane is obtained from the purification of biogas. It is an alternative to fossil natural gas that can be used to generate electricity, heating, and power vehicles.
It is produced from organic waste such as agricultural, livestock, industrial residues, sewage sludge, and domestic organic waste.
In this sense, it is a clean and economical fuel that contributes to the decarbonization of energy and the circular economy.
How it is produced
- Biogas is obtained from the decomposition of organic waste
- Impurities such as carbon dioxide, moisture, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and volatile organic compounds are removed
- What is obtained is purified until reaching a purity of around 95% methane
- Biomethane is refined to remove components unsuitable for use
- It is injected into the natural gas network or transported by cryogenic tanker trucks
The Life Chandelier project
The project aims to “develop a competitive solution in costs and flexible in terms of raw materials,” as explained by the developers.
The raw material is agri-food waste.
“Based on modular and innovative technologies, which contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80% and allow profitable production of biomethane in rural areas for sustainable transport,” said Frederic Clarens, Director of the Waste, Energy, and Environmental Impact Unit at Eurecat.
Within the project, they expect to demonstrate the optimized and traceable production of vehicular biogas and biomethane, using blockchain technology, and profitable in small to medium-scale plants.
This would be achieved through simultaneous pre-t
