GROUP 5 PRESENTATION

Biogas, also called "Biomethane" is a renewable energy source produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic materials in an oxygen-free environment.

• Created from food waste, agricultural residues, and animal manure.
• Microorganisms break down organic matter during the digestion process.
• Produces primarily methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂).
• Contains trace amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ammonia (NH₃).
• The gas composition varies based on the feedstock and digester conditions.

Figure 1. Biogas, what is it for? | Dalkia

HISTORY OF BIOGAS

Biogas has been used by humans for centuries, with its application evolving over time.

Ancient Use:
Evidence of biogas use dates back to as early as the 10th century BC, when the Assyrians used it to heat bathwater. By 3,000 BC, its application was more widely known in Assyrian society.

Figure 2. Turkish hammam bath

Figure 3. Portrait of Jan Babtist Van Helmont

17th Century Discovery:
In 17th-century Europe, Jan Baptist van Helmont discovered that decaying organic matter produces flammable gases. He introduced the word 'gas' into scientific vocabulary, based on the Greek term chaos.

18th Century Correlation:
In the late 1700s, Count Alessandro Volta, known for inventing the battery, found a direct correlation between the amount of decaying organic matter and the volume of flammable gas produced.

Figure 4. Portrait of Alessandro Volta

Figure 5. Portrait of Sir Humphry Davy

19th Century Identification:
In the early 1800s, Sir Humphry Davy identified methane as the primary component of the gas produced from decaying organic material.

First Large-Scale Plant:
By 1859, the first known anaerobic digestion plant was established in Bombay, India. Later, in 1895, the city of Exeter in England used biogas from a sewage treatment plant to fuel streetlamps.

Figure 6. Biogas in India

Figure 7. Glamsberg Biogas Plant

REFERENCES

(Banja et al., 2019; Barasa & Akanni, 2022; Badurek, 2024; National Grid, 2023)

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USES OF BIOGAS

Biogas has a wide range of practical uses, making it a versatile renewable energy source:

EXPLORE ITS USES!

Electricity Generation

Biogas can be converted into electricity using gas engines or turbines, often through combined heat and power (CHP) systems that maximize energy output and efficiency (Gasum, 2024).

Heating

In residential and industrial settings, biogas serves as a valuable source of heat, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and processes (HomeBiogas, 2024).

Cooking Fuel

Biogas is utilized as a clean cooking fuel in many rural areas, offering an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional biomass fuels and improving indoor air quality (UNL Water, 2021).

Transportation Fuel

After purification and upgrading to biomethane, biogas can be used as a renewable transportation fuel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector (HomeBiogas, 2024).

Fertilizer Production

The digestate by-product of biogas production can be used as a nutrient-rich organic fertilizer, providing a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers and supporting circular economy principles (Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 2022).

REFERENCES

(Gasum, 2024; HomeBiogas, 2024; UNL Water, 2021; Bioresources and Bioprocessing, 2022).

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