What is Biogas Production?

Biogas is a renewable energy source produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. Microorganisms break down biodegradable materials—such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste, or food waste—in the absence of oxygen. The resulting gas is primarily composed of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

How to Use the Biogas Calculator

To use this calculator, you need to input the characteristics of your feedstock. Total Solids (TS) refers to the dry matter content of the material, while Volatile Solids (VS) represents the organic portion of those solids that can actually be converted into gas. The Specific Yield is the volume of biogas produced per kilogram of volatile solids added to the digester.

Key Factors Influencing Yield

Several factors affect the efficiency of a biogas plant, including the temperature of the digester (mesophilic vs. thermophilic), pH levels, carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, and retention time. Food waste generally has a higher methane potential compared to animal manure, but it requires careful management to prevent acidification within the system.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average methane content in biogas?
Typically, biogas contains between 50% and 75% methane. The rest is mostly carbon dioxide and trace amounts of other gases like hydrogen sulfide.

How much energy is in 1 m³ of biogas?
On average, 1 cubic meter of biogas has a calorific value of approximately 6 kWh, depending on the methane concentration.

Why calculate Volatile Solids (VS)?
Not all organic matter is digestible. VS represents the fraction that bacteria can process into energy, making it the most accurate metric for yield estimation.