Methane is a natural compound produced whenever plant
and animal matter decays. The methane gas plants are methane generating
systems. Considered as a renewable source of natural gas since it comes from
decaying garbage, methane is easily available. Because of its clean burning
process, methane is widely used as a fuel. An efficient source of energy,
methane is widely used for electricity as well. However, because it is a gas
and not a liquid or solid, methane is difficult to transport. As such most
methane gas plants are located at areas close to consumption areas.
Properties of Methane
- Methane is the major component of a natural gas, consisting about 97%
of the volume
- Methane is available at room temperature and standard pressure
- It is a nonrenewable fossil fuel
- It is a chemical compound with the molecular formula CH4.
- It is colorless and odorless gas.
- It has a boiling point of -161°C at a pressure of 1 atmosphere
- It is a flammable gas covering narrow range of concentrations (5-15%)
in air.
- Liquid methane is not flammable. However it burns when it is
subjected to high pressure.
Sources of Methane
Methane is available from various sources:
- Landfills
- Enteric Fermentation
- Natural Gas Systems
- Coal Mining
- Wastewater Treatment
- Manure Management
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- Petroleum Systems
- Stationary Sources
- Rice Cultivation
- Abandoned Coal Mines
- Mobile Sources
- Petrochemical Production
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The Production Process
The raw feedstock or raw material required to produce methane is the
organic waste. The production process of methane gas in gas plants consists
of decomposition of this organic waste. This is done in without oxygen and
after processing transforms into methane and carbon dioxide. The
fermentation of organic waste leads to the formation of methane. The
technique under anaerobic conditions is capable of converting almost all
types of polymeric materials to methane and carbon dioxide. This is achieved
by successive biochemical breakdown of polymers to methane and carbon
dioxide. Anaerobic conditions play a vital role in establishing a stable
environment at various stages of methane fermentation.
The Gas Plant Design
The basic design of a methane gas plant comprises
- Inlet pipe
- Outlet pipe
- A digester
- Feedstock chamber
The digester is positioned above the digester floor and in from the
walls. Each pipe is fixed in its chamber. The concrete is tightly
manufactured so as to avoid any kind of leakage. The feedstock chamber has
some means of descending into the space which is sealed properly to prevent
humidity or moisture. The pipes are exactly at the center of the digester
and it lets methane to descend when empty and rise to ground level when
full. A gas collector in the shape of a roofed cylinder is braced
internally. The gas collector's top is fitted with tap and valve, and this
is fixed to a flexible pipe leading to the gas appliances and there is a
large discharge pit.
Methane
Gas Plant
