Methane gas may be getting more attention soon as a renewable energy source and a way to contain odor issues,which have plagued livestock farms wastewater treatment plants and land fills.
The other biofuel
Methane has been the also-ran in the biofuels race,despite a years-long record of being used in some interesting ways to save energy and reduce odor and greenhouse gases. It does not compress easily,so it cannot be retrofitted onto vehicles the way propane units can. But it does have its strengths.
It can heat farm shops during the winter and fuel gasoline generator sets to supply electricity,all while making use of bio-wastes such as manure and food garbage and reducing the odors normally associated with them.
Ounce for ounce,methane can deliver more energy than ethanol.
Basic digesters
Methane digesters use anaerobic or oxygen-free decomposition to convert manure into methane gas. Without oxygen,bacteria in the manure decompose the organic matter and produce a biogas composed of about two-thirds methane and one-third carbon dioxide.
With an endless supply of manure,sewage or decaying matter on earth,the use of methane as a green energy alternative could become a viable energy source in the near future.
