Nature’s Blue Energy: Biogas

Increasing levels of methane gas and the use of fossil fuels to meet global energy needs are seriously threatening our future. In order to deal with this threat, alternative energy sources are also being sought. The most popular of these is biogas.

What is Biogas?

Biogas is a type of biofuel produced naturally as a result of the separation of organic waste by its simple definition. Organic waste, such as animal manure, food waste, wastewater, and sewage water, breaks down in an anaerobic environment (conditions where there is no free oxygen), resulting in gas mixtures that mostly contain methane and carbon dioxide. This decomposition is also called anaerobic digestion, as it occurs in an anaerobic environment by microorganisms called methanogen (methane-forming microorganisms that reproduce in oxygen-free environments) in the Archea group (the main group in living organisms). If we consider anaerobic digestion as a definition, we can describe it as a natural form of energy production from waste that uses the fermentation process to break down organic substances.

As for the secret of the blue flame, the flammable property of biogas is actually caused by the high value of methane in it. So it produces a flame of intense blue color and is used as an energy source. 

Biogas, contrary to popular belief, is not just a natural source of energy. For example, it prevents the use of toxic chemicals in wastewater treatment plants and saves costs, energy, and materials by separating waste on-site. Besides, the use of biogas eliminates the need for extra fossil fuel to generate energy. Because methane gas has the capacity to trap more heat than carbon dioxide, its environmental impact when a decaying loaf of bread turns into biogas means it will be about 10 times less effective than when it is left to rot in a landfill.

Biogas Systems

Biogas production systems are systems that convert waste into biogas without allowing methane gas to be released into the atmosphere, and then channel this biogas to make efficient use of energy. There are several types of biogas systems and facilities designed for the efficient use of biogas. Although each system differs by input, output, size, and type, the biological process that converts organic waste into biogas is uniform. Biogas digesters take organic matter, which decomposes in a digestive chamber. The digestive chamber is completely filled with water, making the environment an anaerobic (oxygen-free) environment. The anaerobic environment allows microorganisms to break down organic material and convert it into biogas. 

The use of Polat Makina centrifuge technologies in the anaerobic fermentation process gives the best result in biogas production due to its high performance/price ratio.

Polat Makina decanters are specially designed to get the most efficient result in the recovery processes of renewable energy sources. Automatic, reliable, continuous operation, centrifugal equipment that provides seamless process control; minimum energy and water consumption, as well as high performance/price ratio are becoming the most suitable option.