Biogas typically refers to methane produced by the fermentation of organic matter such as manure under anaerobic conditions. The process is popular in rural areas, particularly in the Netherlands and Denmark, because it provides a convenient way of turning waste into electricity. The use of biogas is encouraged because methane burns with a clean flame and produces little pollution.
Digestion of manure occurs in a digester, which must be strong enough to withstand the buildup of pressure and must provide anaerobic conditions for the bacteria inside. Digestors are usually built near the manure source, and several are often used together to provide a continuous gas supply. Products put into the digestor are composed mainly of carbohydrates with some lipids and proteins.
The digestion has three main stages. The first, hydrolysis, involves breaking down the large macromolecules to sugars, amino acids, and fatty acids by bacteria under aerobic conditions. The second stage is acetogenesis , during which acetogenic bacteria convert sugars into short-chain acids, mainly acetic acid. The third stage is methanogenesis, which is carried out by anaerobic bacteria. Here, the acids are converted into methane.
Other sources of biogas are landfills and sewage treatment plants.
See also
