With the current waste problems plaguing the United States, it's possible that renewable natural gas may be the answer to the problem. While the United States heavily relies on fossil fuels for energy, renewable natural gas could become a viable alternative in the next few years. This article discusses several methods of producing natural gas from renewable sources.
Biogas
Biogas is an alternative energy source that can be made from organic matter. It is an important fuel for vehicles as well as being used for heating and electricity. It is also a good feedstock for bioproducts and can be used in decarbonization of natural gas supplies. Currently, there are many opportunities for biogas, including using it as a replacement for coal in power plants. The key to the future of biogas is making it affordable and accessible.
Biogas is a renewable fuel that can replace mined natural gases in power plants, ground transportation and commercial buildings. Biogas can eventually be made into biomethane, which is a renewable fuel that can be used for electricity generation and electric vehicles.
Synthetic gas
Synthetic gas is a natural gas substitute produced from coal, biomass, and renewable energy sources. Synthetic gas is also known by the names bio-SNG (e-gas), or syngas. It is an alternative fuel that can be mixed with conventional natural gas to meet your energy needs. It can also be compressed to be stored in the gas grid.
Synthetic gas can also be used to power turbines and generate electricity. It does not need to be cleaned or cooled. The hot syn-gas expands inside the turbine, spinning blades. The hot syn-gas expands inside the turbine, creating spinning blades that power a compressor as well as a generator. This converts the gas into electricity. Gas can also be used for heating dry feedstocks or water.
Catalytic hydothermal gazification
Catalytic hydrothermal (CH) gasification uses heat and pressure to transform natural gas into fuels. The process has several advantages, including high yields, rapid operation, and low capital costs. It is an attractive alternative to current valuation techniques and can be used close to farms.
It involves using high temperatures and pressures to convert biomass into gas. The resulting gas is methane-rich and can be fed into the gas grid or CNG stations. The process is environmentally friendly and generates relatively little final waste. The process is also capable to recover mineral salts.
Algae methane
Anaerobic digestion (AD), of algae can produce algae methane. This process is highly efficient, and doesn't require pretreatment. Algae can also be used as a renewable fuel source, without losing their biological functions.
Algae methane could be a natural gas source. However, the technology needed to produce biogas is not yet available. This is necessary to reduce methane losses during the process. Future LCAs will also need to account for the N2O-rich unrecovered nitrogen.
Biomethane
Biomethane is a natural gas that is generated from biomass. It typically contains 45 to 75 percent methane and the rest is CO2. It can be used to generate electricity, heat and for cooking. About 90% of biomethane can be produced by upgrading. Upgrading refers to the use different properties to separate the various gas components. Membrane separation is responsible for approximately 60% of biomethane.
Biomethane, due to its flexibility and low carbon emissions, is considered a renewable gas. It is expected to contribute significantly to the transition towards a carbon-free energy system by 2050. It has also attracted the attention of a number of governments, including the United States, Canada, and the Netherlands.