Methanization is a biological process of organic matter degradation by bacteria in the absence of oxygen. For this reason, it is also known as "Anaerobic digestion."
Methanization provides the opportunity to valorize organic waste that would otherwise be completely wasted or thrown into regular waste, to produce a source of green and renewable energy, biogas.
BioRenGaz is developing a patented methanation technology in Strasbourg that valorizes liquid or even pulpy materials such as bio-waste soups. Bio-waste corresponds to organic waste derived from natural plant or animal resources :
Community waste
Agri-food industry
Brewery, distillery, cheese factory, sugar factory, etc.
Waste from livestock farming
Waste from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP)
Biogas is produced by the fermentation of organic waste from plant and/or animal origin in the digester. It is composed mainly of methane (CHâ‚„), carbon dioxide (COâ‚‚), water vapor, traces of sulfur gases (Hâ‚‚S) and other minor compounds that vary depending on the type of substrate being methanized.
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Several valorization methods for biogas are available:
• Heat and electricity production using a cogeneration engine, or just heat production with a biogas boiler. The heat produced is generally used on-site for heating digesters and buildings, for the hygienization of food bio-waste, and for heating industrial processes.
• Biomethane production by purifying biogas to a methane content of over 95%, then compressing it to inject into the natural gas network.
• Biomethane fuel production (BioGNV). Various types of vehicles can run on GNV, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels (diesel, gasoline) with a significant reduction in emitted particles (50-90% less NOx*).
Digestate is the residual material after the anaerobic digestion of organic matter. It consists of fertilizing mineral elements such as Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium, trace elements, and residual organic matter. Water is also retained during the anaerobic digestion process.
Its agronomic value is twofold: it serves as both a fertilizer (providing nutrients to plants) and an amendment (providing nutrients to the soil), representing significant potential for agriculture.
The latter is a natural fertilizer spread on neighboring lands, replacing chemical fertilizers whose production and transportation are energy-intensive.