Given the current waste issues in the United States, renewable natural gas could offer a solution. The United States still heavily depends on fossil fuels as its energy source, but renewable natural gas may become an alternative. This article discusses several methods of producing natural gas from renewable sources.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable resource that is produced from decomposing organic material. It is an excellent fuel for vehicles and can also serve as heating and power. It is also an excellent feedstock for bio-products, and can be used for decarbonization of the natural gas supply. Biogas is a viable option, and can be used to replace coal in power plants. The key to the future of biogas is making it affordable and accessible.
Biogas has the potential of replacing natural gas used in power plants as well as ground transportation. Biogas can be eventually converted into biomethane. This renewable fuel can then be used to create electricity and electric automobiles.
Synthetic gas
Synthetic gas is a substitute for natural gas. It can be made from coal, biofuels, or other renewable energy sources. It is also known under the names syngas, bio-SNG and e-gas. It is an alternative fuel which can be mixed and matched with traditional natural gas. It can also be compressed to be stored in the gas grid.
Synthetic gas can be used to power a turbine and produce electricity. It doesn't require cooling or cleaning. The hot syn-gas expands within the turbine and spins blades. The spinning blades then power a compressor and a generator, converting the gas into electricity. Gas can also be used for heating dry feedstocks or water.
Catalytic hydrothermal gasification
Catalytic hydothermal (CH) gasification is a process that uses heat and pressure to convert natural gas to fuels. The process has several advantages, including high yields, rapid operation, and low capital costs. It is a good alternative to current valuation methods and can be deployed near farms.
It uses high temperatures and high pressures to turn biomass into gasoline. The gas produced is methane rich and can be used to fuel the gas grid. The process is eco-friendly and produces very little waste. It can also extract mineral salts out of the biomass.
Algae methane
Anaerobic digest (AD) can produce algae methane from biomass. This process is very efficient and doesn't require any prior treatment. Algae can also serve as a renewable energy source without compromising their biological functions.
Algae methane can be a potential natural gas renewable source. However, the technology needed to produce biogas is not yet available. This is crucial to minimize the methane loss during the process. Future LCAs should also consider the unrecovered N2O that results.
Biomethane
Biomethane is a gas that is produced from biomass. It is typically 45 to 75 percent methane with the rest being CO2. Biomethane is useful for heating, cooking, and electricity. The process of upgrading accounts for 90% of the biomethane produced. Upgrading involves the use of different properties to separate the gas components. A membrane separation process is used to produce about 60% of biomethane.
Biomethane, due to its flexibility and low carbon emissions, is considered a renewable gas. It is expected contribute significantly to the transition toward a carbon free energy system by 2050. It has also been spotted by several countries, including the United States of America, Canada, and the Netherlands.