BIOGAS AMERICAS

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Frequently asked

Glossary

1

Anaerobic digestion (AD)

A biological process in which microorganisms break down organic material in the absence of oxygen inside a sealed vessel or covered lagoon, producing biogas and a nutrient-rich residue called digestate.

2

Biogas

The raw gas produced by anaerobic digestion, typically 50-70 percent methane and 30-50 percent carbon dioxide, plus trace hydrogen sulfide, water vapor and other compounds. Raw biogas is usually used on site in a boiler, engine or flare unless it is upgraded.

3

Renewable natural gas (RNG)

Pipeline-quality methane produced by upgrading biogas or landfill gas to remove carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, water and other contaminants so it meets utility gas quality specifications. RNG can be injected into interstate or distribution pipelines or used as compressed or liquefied vehicle fuel.

4

Biomethane

The methane-rich product stream after biogas upgrading. In US project discussions biomethane and RNG are often used interchangeably, while European documentation more often uses biomethane for grid-injected or transport-fuel gas.

5

Feedstock

The organic input to a digester. Common biogas feedstocks include dairy and swine manure, food processing waste, fats oils and greases, source-separated organics, wastewater biosolids, energy crops and landfill gas from municipal solid waste.

6

Codigestion

Feeding two or more substrates, such as manure plus food waste, into the same anaerobic digester to increase gas yield. Codigestion raises revenue potential but usually triggers additional pretreatment, reception and permitting requirements.

7

Digestate

The liquid and solid material remaining after anaerobic digestion. Digestate is managed as a fertilizer or soil amendment, separated into liquid and solid fractions, composted, or further processed depending on state nutrient rules.

8

Biogas upgrading

The separation step that removes carbon dioxide and trace contaminants from raw biogas to produce pipeline-spec RNG or vehicle fuel. Typical technologies include water scrubbing, amine or chemical scrubbing, pressure swing adsorption, membrane separation and cryogenic separation.

9

Hydrogen sulfide removal (H2S)

Gas treatment that protects engines, membranes and pipelines from corrosion. Options include biological desulfurization in the digester headspace, iron sponge or media beds, caustic scrubbing and activated carbon polishing.

10

Combined heat and power (CHP)

An engine or turbine that burns biogas or natural gas to generate electricity while recovering waste heat for digester heating, pasteurization or facility processes. CHP is a common on-site use for biogas where pipeline injection is not economic.

11

Carbon intensity (CI)

A lifecycle measure of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of energy, usually expressed in grams of CO2 equivalent per megajoule. RNG CI scores drive eligibility and credit value under programs such as California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the federal Renewable Fuel Standard.

12

D3 RIN

A Renewable Identification Number under the US Renewable Fuel Standard for cellulosic biofuels, including compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas and renewable natural gas produced from cellulosic feedstocks. D3 RINs are the compliance credit most often discussed by RNG project developers.

13

LCFS credit

A tradable credit generated under California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard, and similar state programs, for fuels below the program's carbon intensity benchmark. RNG delivered as vehicle fuel can generate LCFS credits in addition to federal RINs.

14

MMBtu

One million British thermal units, the standard unit for pricing and contracting natural gas and RNG in the United States. Project pro formas typically quote gas volumes in MMBtu per year and revenue in USD per MMBtu.

15

Interconnection

The physical and contractual tie-in of an RNG production facility to a gas pipeline, including metering, gas quality monitoring, compression and the interconnection agreement with the pipeline or utility.

16

Offtake agreement

A contract for the sale of RNG or its environmental attributes. Offtakers include gas utilities, marketers, fleets, universities and corporates with decarbonization targets. Terms cover volume, gas quality, price index, term and credit support.

17

Flare

A controlled combustion device used to safely destroy surplus or off-spec biogas. Flares are also part of the environmental control equipment on digesters and landfills and are regulated under state and federal air rules.

18

Gas quality specification

The set of limits a pipeline or utility sets for injected gas, including heating value, water dew point, sulfur, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide and total inerts. Meeting the specification is a precondition for pipeline injection.

19

Virtual pipeline

Transporting RNG by tube trailer, ISO container or liquefied gas truck rather than through a dedicated pipeline. Virtual transport can monetize projects that are too far from an interstate pipeline.