Biogas plant: how to produce energy economically and sustainably
Biogas plant: how to produce energy economically and sustainably
The need to reduce fossil fuel consumption and emissions has made it imperative to find new ways to produce energy in a more economical and sustainable way.
Proprio in questo scenario si inseriscono tecnologie con fonti energetiche alternative, come gli biogas plants.
Biogas is a gaseous fuel (formed by methane, carbon dioxide and a mixture of other gases) that generates Zero-emission natural gas. This is done through a process of anaerobic digestion in the absence of oxygen and at a controlled temperature of biomass.
It is a product obtained through bacteria and enzymes that leads to the breakdown of organic substances and their fermentation and conversion to CNG, without carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
For this reason, biogas to date is considered essential for the transition to a 100% green and sustainable energy system.
Let’s go into detail
What does a biogas plant consist of?
Energy production from biogas takes place in specific plants characterized by different components.First among them are the digesters, digestion tanks in which, with a temperature between 35°C and 55°C and a fermentation time between 20 to 60 days, the process of fermentation of biomass.
Ciò permette prima di ottenere acido acetico e idrogeno, poi anidride carbonica e metano, con diverse possibilità:
- Wet digestion (Wet digestion).: 10% dry matter in the digester
- Semi-dry digestion (Semi-Dry digestion): Between 25 and 40 percent dry matter in the digester and at the limit of pumpability
- Dry digestion (Dry digestion): High amount of dry matter that requires the use of mechanical means
The remaining residual material (digestate) is stored in large concrete tanks and then taken out for use as fertilizer on agricultural soils.
While the gas produced from the digesters, after being cleaned and purified (biogas treatment) is fed into the cogeneration system.The cogeneration system is nothing more than a engine that converts gas simultaneously into electrical and thermal energy.
Quest’ultima viene in parte ceduta alla rete di distribuzione (applicazioni domestiche, industriali e agricole) e in parte utilizzata per alimentare l’impianto o come carburante per veicoli a motore.
There is also a storage system for the biogas produced, with the delicate and crucial role of storing the gas safely and efficiently until it is used.
The storage system can be of different types.
For example, it can take advantage of storage tanks (Steel vessels for short-term storage of large volumes of biogas.) o spressurized tanks (vessels that allow the gas density to be increased and the volume occupied to be reduced to ensure greater storage capacity).
There may also be a upgrading system, which is used to purify the biogas and remove much of the carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other impurities present to obtain Biomethane (composed of more than 98 percent methane).
All the advantages of biogas plants for industries
A biogas plant provides important advantages in many respects:
- sustainability
- energy independence
- circular economy
- energy efficiency
Reduced emissions through the use of biogas
One of the most important benefits of biogas plants is the reduction of emissions.
Nella produzione infatti, le emissioni nette di anidride carbonica sono pari a zero, così come il rilascio in ambiente di gas climalteranti.
Inoltre, promuovono la conversione di scarti organici in energia, contribuendo ad una sustainable waste management and eliminating the need for disposal or incineration.
In other words, this makes it possible to take important steps forward on the path toward the decarbonization.
Energy independence and biogas plants
Biogas plants make it possible to Simultaneously produce electrical and thermal energy from organic waste materials.
Since it is therefore a programmable renewable source, abundant and available, significantly reduces dependence on fossil sources and imports, and increases control and sustainable management.
Biogas plants and circular economy
Biogas plants also promote a more efficient use of resources.
Trasformando i rifiuti organici in energia utilizzabile, gli impianti di biogas promuovono il riutilizzo delle risorse, in un’ottica di economia circolare sempre più sostenibile, senza gravare sull’uomo e sull’ambiente.
Maximum energy efficiency with biogas plants
By providing reliable and constant support to the national power grid, biogas plants Maximize the stability of the electrical system, reducing the risk of outages or blackouts and bringing energy efficiency to the highest level.
