How to Capture Methane Gas

Methane is a greenhouse gas associated with global warming and climate change. However, it can also be considered an alternative energy source when captured and reused to generate electricity. Methane is a component of natural gas and also created when animal or municipal waste decomposes.

Things You'll Need

• Animal manure
• Municipal waste
• Bioreactor

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Instructions

Biogas from Manure

• 1

  Re-size and mix manure material before putting it into a biodigester. There are three groups of naturally occurring bacteria that break down manure in anaerobic environments and produce methane biogas. The first group breaks down the manure into organic material. The second group uses the organic material to make organic acids. The third group completes the decomposition and creates the biogas. Manure particles that are of small and of uniform size and mixture, enhance the ability of all three bacterial groups to break down organic matter.

• 2

  Put manure into the biodigester and heat to appropriate temperature. All three bacterial groups can operate at temperatures from freezing to 125 degrees Fahrenheit, but optimal temperatures are between 98 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit. It is very important to keep temperatures consistently within this range while the manure is being processed.

• 3

  Add enhancements as necessary. Different types of manure (cow, pig, or chicken) have different characteristics. For this reasons, it may be necessary to add enhancements for the breakdown to occur properly. Increased productivity is directly correlated to PH/water/solid material ratios and carbon/nitrogen ratios. Bicarbonate of soda and water can be added if nitrogen levels are too high and the manure material is too dry.

  Biogas will naturally rise to the top of the biodigester and can be collected and then used to run a gas generator, just as you would use natural gas to create electricity.

• 4

  Use digested material as soil conditioning or enhancement for animal feed. The by-product material is rich in nutrients, ammonia, phosphorus and potassium, which are useful fertilizer enhancements to soil. Before adding to soil or animal feed, material should be tested for pesticide residue.