The PowerPoint presentation on the synthesis of biomethane provides a comprehensive overview of biomethane as a sustainable energy source. It begins with an introduction to biomethane, highlighting its significance and relevance in today’s energy landscape. The presentation outlines the key properties of biomethane, emphasizing its compatibility with existing natural gas infrastructure and its clean-burning characteristics, which contribute to reduced emissions of greenhouse gases. The potential of biomethane as a sustainable energy source is thoroughly discussed, showcasing its renewability and the role it can play in reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The presentation delves into the methods of producing biomethane, first from organic matter through anaerobic digestion, which breaks down organic material in the absence of oxygen to produce biogas, which is then purified into biomethane. The second method outlined is the upgrading of biogas directly sourced from landfills or agricultural waste, highlighting the technological processes involved in refining biogas to meet natural gas quality standards. Applications of biomethane are explored, illustrating its versatility in uses ranging from heating and electricity generation to fuel for vehicles. The presentation also examines various countries that have significantly benefitted from adopting biomethane, showcasing successful case studies and the impact on their energy mix and carbon footprint reduction efforts. The stance of India on biomethane is particularly highlighted, exploring the country’s initiatives and policies aimed at promoting biomethane production and use as part of its renewable energy strategy. This segment underscores India's commitment to sustainable energy sources and its efforts to overcome the challenges associated with biomethane production and adoption. Finally, the presentation addresses the environmental limitations and challenges associated with biomethane, including the need for sustainable feedstock sources, the technological and economic hurdles in biogas upgrading, and the importance of ensuring a balance between food production and biomass for energy to avoid competition for land resources. In summary, the PowerPoint presentation on the synthesis of biomethane offers an insightful exploration into biomethane’s role as a sustainable energy solution, covering its properties, production methods, applications, and the global perspective on its adoption, with a special focus on India’s stance and the environmental considerations involved.

1. Synthesis of Bio-Methane
Presenters
Vinit Butani (20BCH104)
Harsh Joshi (20BCH106)
Avanika Patel (20BCH107)
Abhay Rajput (20BCH122D)
Ayush Doshi (20BCH124D)

2. Content
• Introduction
• Key Properties
• Potential as Sustainable energy
• Production from Organic Matter
• Production from Bio-Gas
• Application of Bio-Methane
• Countries benefitted from Bio-Methane
• Where Does India Stand in Usage of Bio-Methane
• Environmental Benefits
• Challenges and Limitations
• Conclusion

3. Introduction
• Biomethane is a renewable energy source that is derived from organic materials,
such as agricultural waste, food waste, and sewage, through a process called
anaerobic digestion.
• It is essentially methane gas, which is the primary component of natural gas, that
is produced through the breakdown of organic matter by bacteria in the absence
of oxygen.
• Biomethane has several properties that make it an attractive and sustainable
energy source. Firstly, it is a clean-burning fuel, which means that it emits
significantly lower levels of harmful pollutants, such as carbon dioxide and
nitrogen oxides, compared to traditional fossil fuels.
• Additionally, biomethane is a carbon-neutral fuel, as the carbon dioxide released
when it is burned is offset by the carbon dioxide absorbed during the growth of
the organic material used to produce it.

4. Some key Properties of Bio Methane
• Renewable: Biomethane is a renewable energy source that can be
continuously produced as long as there is organic waste available.
• High energy density: Biomethane has a high energy density, similar to
that of natural gas, which makes it suitable for use in heating, electricity
generation, and transportation.
• Low emissions: Biomethane has low emissions of harmful pollutants such
as particulate matter, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides compared to fossil
fuels such as coal and oil.
• Carbon neutral: Biomethane production and use is considered to be
carbon neutral or even carbon negative if the organic waste used to
produce biomethane would have otherwise decomposed and released
methane into the atmosphere.

5. Potential as a Sustainable Energy Source
• It is a renewable resource that can help to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.
• The production of biomethane can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by capturing methane that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere
during the decomposition of organic waste.
• Biomethane can be used as a replacement for natural gas, which is a finite
resource, and can help to reduce dependence on imported natural gas.
• Biomethane can be used as a transportation fuel, particularly for heavy-duty
vehicles such as trucks and buses, and can significantly reduce greenhouse
gas emissions compared to diesel or gasoline.

6. Production from Organic Matter
• Biomethane is a renewable form of natural gas produced from
organic materials, such as agricultural waste, food waste, and
sewage.
• There are several methods of producing biomethane, including:
• Anaerobic Digestion
• Gasification
• Pyrolysis
• Power to Gas
• Land Fill Gas Capture

7. Anaerobic Digestion
Anaerobic digestion is a common method of producing biomethane, as the microorganisms responsible for
biogas production also produce methane. The process typically involves the following steps:
1. Feedstock preparation: Organic waste material such as food waste, agricultural waste, or sewage sludge is
collected and processed to remove any contaminants or non-organic materials.
2. Anaerobic digestion: The organic material is placed in an anaerobic digester, where it is mixed with water and
heated to a temperature of around 35-40°C. The digester is sealed to prevent oxygen from entering, creating
an anaerobic environment that is conducive to the growth of methane-producing microorganisms.
3. Biogas production: The microorganisms break down the organic material, producing biogas as a by-product.
The biogas is typically composed of around 60% methane and 40% CO2, along with trace amounts of other
gases.
4. Biogas upgrading: The biogas is purified to remove the CO2 and other impurities, producing biomethane that
is at least 95% methane.
5. Storage and distribution: The biomethane are stored and distributed to end-users, either as a transportation fuel
or as a feedstock for energy production.

8. Gasification
Gasification is a process that converts carbon-based materials, such as biomass, into a gas mixture called
syngas (synthetic gas) that contains mainly hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide (CO), and some amounts of
carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4).
1. Feedstock preparation: The biomass feedstock is first collected and processed to remove any
contaminants or non-combustible materials. The feedstock can be made up of various organic materials,
such as wood, agricultural residues, energy crops, and municipal solid waste.
2. Gasification: The feedstock is then introduced into a gasifier chamber where it is heated to high
temperatures (800-1000°C) in a controlled atmosphere with limited oxygen, or in the absence of oxygen
(anaerobic). The biomass breaks down into syngas, which is composed of hydrogen, carbon monoxide,
and carbon dioxide.
3. Syngas cleaning: The syngas is cooled and cleaned to remove any impurities, such as ash, tar, and other
contaminants that could interfere with downstream processes. This process involves the use of
scrubbers, filters, and other technologies.
4. Methanation: The purified syngas is then passed through a methanation reactor, where the hydrogen and
carbon monoxide are converted into methane and water. This process is called methanation, and it
involves the use of a catalyst, typically nickel or cobalt, at high temperatures and pressures. The final
product is biomethane, which is typically composed of more than 95% methane and can be used as a
transportation fuel or injected into the natural gas grid.

10. Production from Bio-Gas to Bio-Methane
• Biogas is a renewable energy source that is produced through the anaerobic digestion of
organic matter such as agricultural waste, food waste, and sewage sludge.
• Biogas is primarily composed of methane and carbon dioxide, along with small amounts
of other gases such as hydrogen, nitrogen, and oxygen.
• Biomethane, on the other hand, is a purified form of biogas that is predominantly
composed of methane and can be used as a substitute for natural gas.
• The process of synthesizing biomethane from biogas involves removing impurities such as
carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide, and moisture to increase the methane concentration to
above 90%.
• This can be achieved through several different methods, including pressure swing
adsorption, membrane separation, and cryogenic distillation.

11. Pressure swing adsorption (PSA)
The PSA process involves the use of an adsorbent material, which selectively adsorbs carbon dioxide
and other impurities from the biogas stream, leaving behind a purified stream of methane.
1. Compression: The biogas is compressed to increase the pressure and concentration of the gas.
2. Adsorption: The compressed biogas is then passed through a bed of adsorbent material, such as
activated carbon or zeolite, which selectively adsorbs the impurities, including carbon dioxide,
water vapor, and hydrogen sulfide.
3. Purification: The purified biomethane gas is then released from the adsorbent material and
collected.
4. Desorption: The adsorbent material is then regenerated by reducing the pressure and releasing
the impurities, which are then vented to the atmosphere
5. Recompression: The adsorbent material is then ready to adsorb impurities from another batch of
compressed biogas.
The efficiency of the PSA process depends on various factors, including the type and quality of the
adsorbent material, the operating conditions, and the impurity levels in the biogas feed. The process
can be optimized by adjusting the cycle time, pressure, and temperature of the system.

12. Membrane separation
The process uses semi-permeable membranes to selectively separate the methane from the carbon
dioxide and other impurities in the biogas stream.
1. Compression: The biogas is compressed to increase the pressure and concentration of the gas
2. Pre-treatment: The compressed biogas is pre-treated to remove any moisture, sulfur
compounds, or other contaminants that could damage the membrane.
3. Separation: The pre-treated biogas is then passed through a membrane separation unit, where
the methane molecules pass through the membrane and the carbon dioxide and other
impurities are retained.
4. Purification: The purified biomethane gas is collected from the permeate side of the
membrane, while the carbon dioxide and impurities are collected from the concentrate side of
the membrane.
5. Recycling: The carbon dioxide and impurities can be recycled or disposed of, depending on
their value and the local regulations.
The efficiency of the membrane separation process depends on various factors, including the type
and quality of the membrane material, the operating conditions, and the impurity levels in the
biogas feed.
The process can be optimized by adjusting the pressure, temperature, and flow rate of the system.

14. Applications of Biomethane
1. Transportation fuel: Biomethane can be used as a fuel for vehicles, either as a compressed
natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG). It is a clean-burning fuel that produces lower
emissions than traditional fossil fuels.
2. Heating and electricity generation: Biomethane can be used in boilers or combined heat and
power (CHP) systems to provide heat and electricity for homes, businesses, and industrial
facilities.
3. Injection into natural gas pipelines: Biomethane can be injected into the natural gas grid and
used interchangeably with fossil natural gas.
4. Energy storage: Biomethane can be stored and used as a renewable energy source when needed.
5. Agriculture: Biomethane can be used on farms to power machinery and provide heat for
livestock buildings.
6. Waste management: Biomethane can be produced from organic waste materials such as food
waste, sewage, and manure, reducing the amount of waste going to landfill and generating
renewable energy.
Overall, biomethane has the potential to play a significant role in the transition to a low-carbon
economy, providing a renewable alternative to fossil fuels in various applications.

15. Countries that are benefited from the Bio Methane
• Sweden: Sweden is a world leader in the use of biomethane. The country has a well-developed
biomethane industry, and around 200 biomethane plants produce gas that is used for heating,
electricity, and transportation.
• Germany: Germany has also made significant progress in the use of biomethane, with over 200
biomethane plants in operation. The country has set ambitious targets to increase the use of
biomethane in the transportation sector.
• United Kingdom: The UK has a growing biomethane industry, with over 100 biomethane plants in
operation. The gas is used for heating, electricity, and transportation, and the government has set
targets to increase its use in the coming years.
• Denmark: Denmark has a well-established biomethane industry, with over 40 biomethane plants in
operation. The gas is used for heating and electricity, and the country has set ambitious targets to
increase the use of biomethane in the transportation sector.
• United States: The US has a growing biomethane industry, with over 100 biomethane plants in
operation. The gas is used for heating, electricity, and transportation, and the country has set targets
to increase its use in the coming years.

16. Where does India Stand in Usage of Bio Methane
• India is gradually increasing its usage of bio methane, which is a renewable form of natural gas
produced from organic waste sources such as agricultural waste, municipal waste, and sewage.
Bio methane can be used as a fuel for cooking, heating, and transportation, and it has the potential
to replace fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• India has set a target of producing 15 million tonnes of compressed biogas (CBG) from 5,000
CBG plants by 2025, which would be equivalent to 40% of the current consumption of
compressed natural gas (CNG) in the country.
• The government has also launched a scheme called Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable
Transportation (SATAT) to promote the production and use of bio methane in the transportation
sector.
• Several companies in India are already involved in the production and distribution of bio
methane, and the sector is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years.
• The Indian government is also providing various incentives and subsidies to encourage the
adoption of bio methane, including tax exemptions and low-interest loans.
• Overall, India is taking significant steps towards promoting the use of bio methane as a cleaner
and more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels.

17. Environmental Benefits of Bio Methane
i) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions: Bio methane is a renewable form of natural gas that is produced
from organic waste sources such as agricultural waste, municipal waste, and sewage. When these waste
sources decompose naturally, they release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global
warming. However, by capturing and utilizing this methane as bio methane, it can be used as a cleaner
fuel, and its emissions can be reduced. Additionally, the process of producing bio methane produces less
greenhouse gas emissions than the production of fossil fuels.
ii) Waste management: Bio methane can be produced from a variety of organic waste sources such as
agricultural waste, municipal waste, and sewage. By utilizing these waste sources to produce bio
methane, it can help in reducing waste generation and provide an eco-friendly solution for waste
management.
iii) Improved air quality: Bio methane is a cleaner burning fuel compared to fossil fuels such as diesel,
petrol, and coal. It produces fewer harmful emissions such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and
sulfur oxides, which are harmful to human health and the environment. Hence, the use of bio methane
can help in improving the air quality in urban areas, particularly in densely populated cities.
iv) Sustainable energy source: Bio methane is a renewable energy source, which means that it is produced
from organic waste sources that can be replenished naturally. Unlike fossil fuels, which are finite
resources, bio methane can be continuously produced, providing a sustainable energy source for the
future.

18. Challenges and Limitation
While bio methane has several environmental benefits, there are also several challenges and limitations
associated with its production and synthesis:
1. Feedstock availability: The availability of suitable feedstock is crucial for the production of bio methane. It
requires large quantities of organic waste sources such as agricultural waste, municipal waste, and sewage
to produce significant amounts of bio methane. The availability and consistent supply of these waste
sources can be a challenge, particularly in rural areas.
2. Production costs: The cost of producing bio methane is relatively higher than that of conventional natural
gas due to the complex process involved in its production. This high production cost may make bio
methane less competitive with conventional natural gas in some markets.
3. Technical challenges: The production process of bio methane involves several technical challenges,
including the selection of suitable microorganisms for the anaerobic digestion process, maintaining optimal
conditions for microbial activity, and controlling the production of unwanted by-products.
4. Infrastructure: The production and distribution infrastructure for bio methane is not yet well established in
many regions, which may hinder its adoption as a fuel source. Building the necessary infrastructure, such
as biogas plants and pipelines, can be a significant challenge and require significant investment.
5. Regulatory issues: The production and use of bio methane require regulatory approval and compliance
with environmental and safety regulations. In some cases, the lack of clear regulations and standards may
hinder the adoption of bio methane as a fuel source.

19. Conclusion
In conclusion, the synthesis of bio methane provides a promising way to convert organic
waste into a renewable and sustainable energy source.
The production and use of bio methane offer several environmental benefits, including
reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving waste management, and decreasing
dependence on fossil fuels.
Although there are several challenges and limitations associated with the production and use
of bio methane, addressing these issues can help to unlock its full potential as a sustainable
energy source.
By utilizing bio methane as a fuel for transportation, heating, and cooking, we can reduce our
reliance on fossil fuels and promote the transition towards a more sustainable energy future.

21. Question
What is the energy content of 100 cubic feet of biomethane if its
heating value is 600 BTUs per cubic foot?

22. Question
What is the energy content of 100 cubic feet of biomethane if its
heating value is 600 BTUs per cubic foot?
To calculate the energy content of a given amount of biomethane, you can use the following formula:
Energy content = volume of gas (in cubic feet) x heating value (in BTUs per cubic foot)
For example, let's say you have 100 cubic feet of biomethane with a heating value of 600 BTUs per
cubic foot. To calculate the energy content of this gas, you would use the following formula:
Energy content = 100 cubic feet x 600 BTUs per cubic foot
Energy content = 60,000 BTUs
Therefore, the energy content of 100 cubic feet of biomethane with a heating value of 600 BTUs per
cubic foot is 60,000 BTUs.