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Fats Oils and Grease
www.FatsOilsAndGrease.com

Fats Oils and Grease - FOG

What is FOG?

FOG stands for “Fats, Oils and Grease.” FOG is generated in homes and businesses, including anywhere there is a kitchen, cooking, restaurant, animal operation, wastewater treatment plant, car dealership or where machinery and heavy equipment operate. 

Many of the foods we eat contain FOG, including; meats, sauces, vegetable oils, salad dressings, deep-fried food (chicken, french fries, fish, etc.), cookies, pastries, butter and many others. 

Animal fats and food scraps that go down a sink contribute to FOG problems in sewers.  FOG accumulations in the city's sewer system causes obstruction by constricting flow of the sewer pipes, and interfering with the normal operation of your community wastewater treatment system.

FOG is an excellent feedstock for the generation of biomethane via anaerobic digesters.

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FOG is a community problem!

FOG is a major community problem as well as a health hazard from the standpoint of sewage collection, transmission and treatment.  FOG is given special significance by the EPA and state environmental agencies due to its inability to mix with water, and its tendency to separate from liquid in the sewer system.

When FOG is released into the sewer lines in any amounts it can seriously degrade the collection system’s ability to remove waste from the city or community.   FOG is deposited directly on pipe walls, thus decreasing pipe capacity and, therefore, requiring an increased frequency of cleaning, maintenance, and replacement.  

FOG, and in particular, "grease" (grease is a fat that is solid and stable at room temperature) when dissolved in a warm and/or soapy liquid which may NOT appear to be harmful.  However, when grease is released into the sewer system - it cools and then the grease solidifies when the grease and fats come out of the solution, which then adhere on the sewer pipe's surfaces. 

Sewer lines meet at "lift stations" which are normally positioned in neighborhoods where small amounts of FOG collect and can become a problem.  The FOG solidifies and creates huge grease "mats" on the surface of our sewer lift stations which interferes with the efficient functioning of removing sewage effluent from your home or business.  These mats of FOG can actually shut the lift station down and if the problem is serious enough, the sanitary sewer lines can backup even to the point of threatening your home or business.

What can you do to help eliminate our company's FOG problems?

Turn your FOG problems and liabilities into a Biomethane asset through our Anaerobic Digester solution! 

What if we don't generate an adequate supply of FOG to substantiate the investment into an Anaerobic Digester?

There may still be a solution which could include our Biogas Plant solution for your operation as well as several others in your area, whereby we collect and haul your FOG to our plant

How does our city or community solve FOG buildup problems?

• Never pour grease down sink drains or into toilets!

• Scrape all grease and food scraps from your plates, pots, pans, utensils, and grills and other cooking surfaces either into a coffee can or trash for pick-up.

• Pour fats, oils and grease into a container such as an empty jar or coffee can. 

• Don’t put grease down your garbage disposal!  Place a strainer in your sink's drain to catch food scraps and other solids, and empty the drain baskets/strainers into the trash for disposal.

What is an Anaerobic Digester?

An anaerobic digester is a specialized tank receives and processes an organic waste stream through the process of anaerobic digestion (meaning without oxygen).  Inside the anaerobic digester, microorganisms break-down the waste stream which generates biogas in the process.  The biogas cannot be used due to the large amount of impurities it contains, so the biogas must be purified in a biogas to biomethane process after which, the clean biomethane, often referred to as "renewable natural gas," is used just as natural gas, methane or CH4 would be.

The right anaerobic digester and "feedstock" are critical components to optimum production of biomethane which can fuel your own cogeneration or trigeneration power plant.

Anaerobic Digesters: Different types for different applications

Basic Types of Anaerobic Digesters

While there are many different types of anaerobic digesters, three designs (below) are the most common found in the U.S., which are:

1.  Anaerobic Lagoons
2.  Plug Flow Digesters
3.  Complete Mix Digesters

with more information, pictures and diagrams found below:

Anaerobic Lagoons

More info at:  www.AnaerobicLagoon.com

An anaerobic lagoon (above) is sealed with a flexible, impermeable cover.  The Biomethane is recovered 
and piped to the cogeneration plant, or to a biogas to biomethane processing plant for sale to a nearby 
natural gas pipeline.  Some systems use a single cell for combined digestion and storage.

More info at:  www.AnaerobicLagoon.com

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Plug Flow Digesters

Plug flow digesters have long, narrow concrete tanks with either a rigid or flexible 
cover. The plug flow digester (tank) is built partially or fully below grade to limit 
the demand for requiring additional heating. Plug flow digesters are used only at 
dairy operations that collect manure by scraping.

More information on Plug Flow Digesters found at: 

www.PlugFlowDigester.com

or

www.PlugFlowDigesters.com

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Complete Mix Digesters

Complete Mix Digesters have an enclosed, heated tank with either a:  
mechanical, hydraulic, or gas mixing system.  Complete mix digesters 
work best when there is dilution of the manure with water, i.e. milking center wastewater

More information on Complete Mix Digesters found at: 

www.CompleteMixDigester.com

or

www.CompleteMixDigesters.com

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Anaerobic digestion is the bacterial decomposition of organic waste in the absence of oxygen. The two main products of anaerobic digestion are biogas and a solid residual material. 

Food scraps, manure, biosolids, as well as Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) can all be "digested" anaerobic digesters and the biomethane (cleaned-up and purified biogas) used to fuel a cogeneration power plant.

Benefits of an Anaerobic Digester:

• Anaerobic digesters generate biogas, a renewable source of energy that - when purified into biomethane - can be used just like the natural gas you use in your home or business.

• Food and other organic materials disposed of in landfills decompose to create methane, a lethal greenhouse gas with a global warming potential that is 21 times greater than carbon dioxide. Diverting food scraps from landfills to anaerobic digesters reduces methane emissions from landfills.

• Fats, Oil, and Grease (FOG) accumulate and can clog pipes and pumps both in the public sewer lines as well as in wastewater treatment facilities. Diverting FOG from the wastewater infrastructure to anaerobic digesters prevents combined sewer overflows (CSO), thereby protecting water quality and saving money.

• Anaerobic digesters provide a management method for manure that; improves the quality of water, improves air quality,   reduces methane emissions from manure lagoons and storage ponds and minimizes odors.

• Using the solid residual as a soil amendment can reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, improve plant growth, reduce soil erosion and nutrient run-off, alleviate soil compaction, and help improve soil water retention.
  

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How Anaerobic Digesters Work, and 
How Anaerobic Digesters Produce Biomethane: 
The Greenest of all Biofuels!

Anaerobic Digesters recover valuable biomethane from animal manure through a process called anaerobic digestion. The following information highlights the process of how Anaerobic Digesters work.

Biomethane and Anaerobic Bacteria

Biomethane or "Renewable Natural Gas" is practically the same as is a gas that contains molecules of methane with one atom of carbon and four atoms of hydrogen (CH4 ). It is the major component of the "natural" gas used in many homes for cooking and heating. It is odorless, colorless, and yields about 1,000 British Thermal Units (Btu) [252 kilocalories (kcal)] of heat energy per cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters) when burned. 

Natural gas, or methane, is a fossil fuel - was created hundreds of thousands of years ago by the anaerobic decomposition of organic materials (primarily algae). It is often found in association with oil and coal.

The same types of anaerobic bacteria that produce natural gas also produce biomethane today. Anaerobic bacteria are some of the oldest forms of life on earth. They evolved before the photosynthesis of green plants released large quantities of oxygen into the atmosphere. Anaerobic bacteria break down or "digest" organic material in the absence of oxygen and produce "Biomethane" as a waste product. (Aerobic decomposition, or composting, requires large amounts of oxygen and produces heat.)

Anaerobic decomposition occurs naturally in swamps, water-logged soils and rice fields, deep bodies of water, and in the digestive systems of termites and large animals. Anaerobic processes can be managed in a "digester" (an airtight tank) or a covered lagoon (a pond used to store manure) for waste treatment. The primary benefits of anaerobic digestion are nutrient recycling, waste treatment, and odor control. Except in very large systems, biomethane production is a highly useful but secondary benefit.

Biomethane produced in anaerobic digesters consists of methane (50%–80%), carbon dioxide (20%–50%), and trace levels of other gases such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrogen, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide. The relative percentage of these gases in biomethane depends on the feed material and management of the process. When burned, a cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters) of biomethane yields about 10 Btu (2.52 kcal) of heat energy per percentage of methane composition. For example, biomethane composed of 65% methane yields 650 Btu per cubic foot (5,857 kcal/cubic meter).

Anaerobic Digestion

Anaerobic decomposition is a complex process. It occurs in three basic stages as the result of the activity of a variety of microorganisms. Initially, a group of microorganisms converts organic material to a form that a second group of organisms utilizes to form organic acids. Methane-producing (methanogenic) anaerobic bacteria utilize these acids and complete the decomposition process.

A variety of factors affect the rate of digestion and Biomethane production. The most important is temperature. Anaerobic bacteria communities can endure temperatures ranging from below freezing to above 135° Fahrenheit (F) (57.2° Centigrade [C]), but they thrive best at temperatures of about 98°F (36.7°C) (mesophilic) and 130°F (54.4°C) (thermophilic). Bacteria activity, and thus biomethane production, falls off significantly between about 103° and 125°F (39.4° and 51.7°C) and gradually from 95° to 32°F (35° to 0°C).

In the thermophilic range, decomposition and biomethane production occur more rapidly than in the mesophilic range. However, the process is highly sensitive to disturbances, such as changes in feed materials or temperature. While all anaerobic digesters reduce the viability of weed seeds and disease-producing (pathogenic) organisms, the higher temperatures of thermophilic digestion result in more complete destruction. Although anaerobic digesters operated in the mesophilic range must be larger (to accommodate a longer period of decomposition within the tank (hydraulic retention time), the process is less sensitive to upset or change in operating regimen.

To optimize the digestion process, anaerobic digesters must be kept at a consistent temperature, as rapid changes will upset bacterial activity. In most areas of the United States, digestion vessels require some level of insulation and/or heating. Some installations circulate the coolant from their biomethane-powered engines in or around the digester to keep it warm, while others burn part of the biomethane to heat the digester. In a properly designed system, heating generally results in an increase in biomethane production during colder periods. The trade-offs in maintaining optimum digester temperatures to maximize gas production while minimizing expenses are somewhat complex. Studies on digesters in the north-central areas of the country indicate that maximum net biomethane production can occur in anaerobic digesters maintained at temperatures as low as 72°F (22.2°C).

Other factors affect the rate and amount of biomethane output. These include pH, water/solids ratio, carbon/nitrogen ratio, mixing of the digesting material, the particle size of the material being digested, and retention time. Pre-sizing and mixing of the feed material for a uniform consistency allows the bacteria to work more quickly. The pH is self-regulating in most cases. Bicarbonate of soda can be added to maintain a consistent pH; for example, when too much "green" or material high in nitrogen content is added. It may be necessary to add water to the feed material if it is too dry or if the nitrogen content is very high. A carbon/nitrogen ratio of 20/1 to 30/1 is best. Occasional mixing or agitation of the digesting material can aid the digestion process. Antibiotics in livestock feed have been known to kill the anaerobic bacteria in digesters. Complete digestion, and retention times, depend on all of the above factors.

Sewage Sludge or Effluent

The material drawn from the anaerobic digester is called sewage sludge, or effluent. It is rich in nutrients (ammonia, phosphorus, potassium, and more than a dozen trace elements) and is an excellent soil conditioner. It can also be used as a livestock feed additive when dried. Any toxic compounds (pesticides, etc.) that are in the anaerobic digesters' feedstock material may become concentrated in the effluent. Therefore, it is important to test the effluent before using it on a large scale.

Anaerobic Digester Types and Designs

Factors to consider when designing an anaerobic digester system include cost, size, local climate, and the availability and type of organic feedstock material.

Anaerobic digesters can be manufactured from different materials depending on the location, climate and waste to be processed.  These materials include; concrete, steel, brick, or plastic. Anaerobic digesters are also manufactured in a variety of shapes, including; silos, troughs, basins or may also be a pond or lagoon, and may be placed underground or on the surface. All anaerobic digesters system designs incorporate the same basic components:

• A pre-mixing area or tank

• A digester vessel(s)

• A system for using the biogas

• A system for distributing or spreading the effluent (the remaining digested material).

There are Two Basic Types of Anaerobic Digesters; Batch and Continuous

• Batch

Batch-type digesters are the simplest to build. Their operation consists of loading the digester with organic materials and allowing it to digest. The retention time depends on temperature and other factors. Once the digestion is complete, the effluent is removed and the process is repeated.

• Continuous

In a continuous digester, organic material is constantly or regularly fed into the digester. The material moves through the digester either mechanically or by the force of the new feed pushing out digested material. Unlike batch-type digesters, continuous digesters produce biogas without the interruption of loading material and unloading effluent. There are three types of continuous digesters: vertical tank systems, horizontal tank or plug-flow systems, and multiple tank systems.

Proper design, operation, and maintenance of continuous digesters produce a steady and predictable supply of usable biogas. They may be better suited for large-scale operations.

Many livestock operations store the manure they produce in waste lagoons, or ponds. A growing number of these operations are placing floating covers on their lagoons to capture the biogas. They use it to run an engine/generator to produce electricity.

The cost of designing an constructing an anaerobic digester and the associated "balance of plant" can vary widely. Systems can be put together using off-the-shelf materials. There are also a few companies that build system components. Some sophisticated systems have been designed by professionals whose major focus is research, not low cost.

The Economics and Benefits of Anaerobic Digesters

Before you install one or more anaerobic digesters on your farm or ranch, food processing plant, or facility, you should explore its economic value and potential benefits. You will also want to consider an anaerobic digester "feasibility study" that specifically reviews your operation and requirements.

An anaerobic digester usually requires manure from more than 150 large animals to cost effectively generate electricity. The anaerobic digester and associated biogas production can also reduce overall operating costs where costs are high for sewage, agricultural, or animal waste disposal, and the effluent has economic value.

In the United States, the availability of inexpensive fossil fuels has limited the use of digesters solely for biogas production. However, the waste treatment and odor reduction benefits that anaerobic digesters provide are receiving increasing interest, especially for large-scale livestock operations such as dairies, feedlots, and slaughterhouses.

Multiple Environmental and Economic Benefits for Installing Anaerobic Digesters:

Anaerobic digesters generate numerous economic and environmental dividends:

• Generate practically free Biomethane (also referred to as Renewable Biogas or Renewable Natural Gas) from waste streams.  The Biomethane can then be used as fuel for an onsite power plant such as a cogeneration or trigeneration power plant.
  

• Using the free Biomethane onsite to produce "green energy" qualifies your facility for additional revenue streams in the form of a Renewable Energy Credit, Carbon Dioxide Credits and/or other Greenhouse Gas Emissions credits. 
  

• Reduction in biological oxygen demand in wastewater by over 50%
  

• Reduction in nitrogen in wastewater by over 50%
  

• Reduction in phosphorous in wastewater by over 50%
  

• Dramatic and significant reductions of odors, pollution of surface and groundwaters and nutrient runoff from dairy farms (and other Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations), wastewater treatment plants.
  

• Better neighbors.... facilities that have installed Anaerobic Digesters have fewer complaints from their neighbors as a result of the reduction or elimination of odors.

 

Anaerobic Digester Systems in the U.S. and Europe
Country	Biosolids	Biowaste / Solid	Agricultural	Industrial Wastewater
		Industrial
Austria	100	3	100	25
Canada	50			13
Czech Republic			10	4
Denmark	64		21	5
Finland		1		3
Germany		49	1,500	91
Greece	2		1	2
Italy		4	50	38
Netherlands		2		84
Norway	17		2	5
Portugal			94	3
Spain		1	6	27
Sweden	134	4	3	8
Switzerland	70	11	69	20
U.K.	200	1	25	26
U.S.A.	1,600		28	92
above info courtesy of www.usda.gov and updated by: www.AnaerobicDigester.com

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What is Biomethane?

Biomethane is "renewable natural gas" made from organic sources - which starts out as "biogas" but then is cleaned up in a process called "Biogas to Biomethane" which removes the impurities in biogas such as carbon dioxide, siloxanes and hydrogen sulfides (H2S).

Biomethane is soon to be re-classified from the category of "Low Carbon Fuels" to "Super Low Carbon Fuel" due to it being the greenest of all biofuels!

"Cleaned-up" and ready for use in an onsite cogeneration or trigeneration power plant, the Biomethane could also be sold to a pipeline company and completely replace the "natural gas" that is typically transported to markets via the vast underground pipeline system.

Biomethane will some day replace the "methane" that is sold by natural gas utility companies.

Biomethane has an unlimited supply, whereas the methane sold by gas companies has a limited supply.  Biomethane is renewable, whereas the methane sold by your gas utility company is not renewable. Biomethane recovery, use and production generates "Greentags" or a "Renewable Energy Credit" for the owners and is GOOD for our environment.

As previously mentioned, Biomethane is "naturally" produced from organic materials as they decay.  Sources of Biomethane include; landfills, POTW's/Wastewaster Treatment Systems, and every tree or agricultural product that is no longer living.  Biomethane is also generated from animal operations where manure can be collected and the Biomethane is generated from anaerobic digesters where the manure decomposes.

Biomethane, after installation of the Biomethane equipment is essentially free, as opposed to buying natural gas, presently costing around $10.00/mmbtu. 

Methanogenesis is the production of CH4 and CO2 by biological processes that are carried out by methanogens.

Unlike the price of natural gas, which has been very unstable, and wildly fluctuating from $5.50 to as much as $17.00/mmbtu this past year, Biomethane prices will tend to be more stable over the years. As more and more Biomethane is produced, and produced in reliable and sustainable methods that can fuel our energy needs now and for.

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When It Comes to Energy Independence,
Biomethane, Not Coal, is America's "Ace in the Hole"
and One of the Greenest of All Biofuels

It's Time to Start Building Our Country's Biomethane Infrastructure &
Producing Biomethane, the Cleanest/Greenest Biofuel!

By:  Monty Goodell, MBA
Biomethane Technologies
www.Biomethane.com

Biomethane, NOT Coal, is America's True "Ace in the Hole" when it comes to our energy future, economics, the environment, sustainability and America's “Energy Independence.” And biomethane is also receiving recognition as one of the greenest of all biofuels.   

For years now, the coal industry has been touting "coal is America's 'Ace in the Hole'" when they discuss the abundance of our coal reserves here in the U.S. and the role they hope coal will play in America's energy future.

But coal is far from being the “Ace in the Hole” the coal lobby would have everyone believe.  That’s due to the proverbial “black eye” not to mention the “black lungs” and other problems that are inherent with “dirty coal.”  

While there may be a place for coal in America's energy future, coal must become "clean" for America to value it as a possible energy resource. Plans or building 18 new Coal fired power plants were cancelled in Texas last year due to the fact that coal isn't clean, and utilities aren't interested in investing the extra costs for building power plants that use "Clean Coal Technology" or "Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle" power plants that also now need to include "Carbon Capture and Sequestration" technologies to remove the carbon dioxide emissions from the stacks. Plans for many other coal fired power plants are being cancelled. And even now, owners of coal fired power plants (pulverized coal) are switching from coal, to biomass, and biomass gasification technologies, as the writing is on the wall.

Unless our society relishes the thoughts of moving back to the caves, and using candles, and foregoing our modern-day comforts, we need to move forward with renewable energy technologies such as biomethane, as the alternative is power shortages and blackouts.

We believe biomethane represents the best and greenest of all biofuels. There are no supply problems with biomethane, and we have a virtually unlimited supply for using biomethane wherever natural gas is presently used as a fuel.

It should be pointed out that biomethane is chemically no different than natural gas from the "fossil fuel" form of natural gas or CH4.

However, one important distinction between biomethane and the fossil-fuel variety of natural gas, is that the production and use of biomethane is “carbon neutral” in that the greenhouse gas emissions from biomethane use do not add any new net greenhouse gas emissions.

Biomethane starts out as “biogas” but must be cleaned and purified before it can be used as a renewable fuel.  The process of cleaning and purifying the biogas is called “biogas to biomethane.”  The impurities that are found in biogas include hydrogen sulfides, siloxanes, and carbon dioxide. When the impurities are removed from biogas, it is then referred to as biomethane and available for use as a clean fuel, just as the fossil-fuel form of natural gas is used. 

Biomethane reserves and supplies, unlike fossil-fuel natural gas, are virtually unlimited. Biomethane is produced from many sources including anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment systems, landfills and most agricultural and forestry operations. Last year, the first Biomethane NGV refueling station was opened in Eugendorf, Austria.  Like a gas station provides gasoline for cars, the the NGV Biomethane station in Eugendorf provides biomethane for NGVs (Natural Gas Vehicles).  Presently, the station provides a blend of biomethane and natural gas.  Eventually, they hope to provide 100% biomethane for natural gas vehicles.  Companies and researchers in Germany and Austria have determined that “Cellulosic Biomethane” is the greenest of all biofuels, and the least expensive biofuel to produce.  Germany and Austria are now planting vast amounts of a form of Kentucky Bluegrass which will be harvested for use in producing “Cellulosic Biomethane,” through anaerobic digesters and fermentation.

Researchers from around the world, starting in Austria, are finding that grasses such as Kentucky Bluegrass are easily converted into biomethane as well as organic fertilizer. Cellulosic Biomethane production doesn’t require the fermentation of sugars or starches - as the first generation of liquid biofuels – requiring grains and oilseeds from food crops. As the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane project shows, biomethane can be produced from a cellulosic biomass feedstock like grass. Yield estimates from the Austrian Cellulosic Biomethane research indicate that one natural gas vehicle can travel 10,000 to 15,000 miles on just one acre of Kentucky Bluegrass that was processed into biomethane.

At a Jan. 8, 2009 public workshop held by the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, they documented the superior benefits and potential of biomethane as a clean, renewable energy resource.  The California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition stated that Biomethane should be classified as a "Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel."  Super Ultra Low Carbon fuel is defined as providing at least an 82 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions - based on the California Air Resource Board’s analysis of biomethane from landfill gas.

Biomethane has a carbon dioxide emissions intensity of only 11 as compared with:

                                                                        67.9 for natural gas
                                                                        95.8 for diesel
                                                                        96.7 for gasoline

Biomethane can displace and substitute the equivalent of 29% percent of all petroleum diesel transportation fuel used - almost immediately.

According to the California Energy Commission and the Biomass Collaborative, landfills, wastewater treatment, and dairy waste sources - which are "developable today" and can start producing Biomethane almost immediately, with low investment/high returns, could yield 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane. At $8.00/mmbtu, that's a $1 billion market opportunity in California alone.  The 121 billion cubic feet of Biomethane equals about 860 million gallons of petroleum diesel. California alone uses about 3 billion gallons of diesel annually for transportation. Emerging biomass gasification and Biomethanation technologies could more than double Biomethane supplies.

Biomethane - like natural gas from "fossil fuels" - can be compressed or liquefied. And using "Compressed Biomethane" is a significantly better choice as a transportation fuel than traditional "natural gas."

Biomethane is the "natural, natural gas" and is far better for the environment and the economy than natural gas. Biomethane, when "vented" to the environment, is 21 times more hazardous to the climate than carbon dioxide emissions which are the only emissions (and water vaport) from compressed natural gas vehicles' engines when used as a fuel.

Again, we are reminded that Biomethane is the same chemical compound as natural gas: CH4, and completely replaces and substitutes for natural gas. Engines, turbines, boilers and every other natural gas appliance can use Biomethane without any adjustments or modifications - just like natural gas.

Biomethane supplies, as opposed to natural gas supplies from the fossil fuel industry, are available in an unlimited supply.

Moving forward with a “Biomethane Infrastructure” is the direction our country needs to be moving as one of our fuel choices as we become energy-independent.  Every MCF of Biomethane that we use displaces about 8 gallons of gasoline and creates jobs that will never be outsourced or downsized.

(Some of the above information from the California Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition.)

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Biomethane - 
The Renewable Natural Gas & Greenest of all Renewable Fuels!
www.Biomethane.com

The Unlimited Potential for Biomethane and Renewable Natural Gas 

• Sweden is now leading Europe and the rest of the world in the pursuit of cellulosic biomethane.

• According to recent studies by researchers, professors and universities in Sweden, cellulosic biomethane is significantly more economic and less energy intensive to produce today than any biofuel (i.e. E100 Ethanol, B100 Biodiesel, Dimethyl Ether, etc.).
  

• If the U.S. were to similarly emphasize the production of cellulosic biomethane as Sweden is now doing, the U.S. could significantly increase the supply of Biomethane - a renewable, clean fuel with an unlimited supply. 

• Biomethane can be produced from landfill gas, sewage and animal and crop waste. Besides supplementing our existing natural gas supplies, Biomethane would provide huge greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
    

• Based on an analysis conducted for the Department of Energy in the 1990's, it appears that at least 1¼ quadrillion BTUs of methane could reasonably be produced using exiting landfill gas to energy sites, wastewater treatment systems and animal waste sources (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) alone. 

• If the Biomethane produces in the U.S. were used for natural gas vehicles, it would displace approximately 10 billion gallons of gasoline, per year!  This is 10 times the amount (1 billion gallons of gasoline) per year projected for natural gas (the fossil fuel) in the Annual DOE outlook.

Regarding Greenhouse Gas Emissions and 
Biomethane/Renewable Natural Gas vs. Gasoline

• Gasoline produces about 110% more Greenhouse Gas Emissions than Biomethane which would have otherwise been flared or vented to the atmosphere.

• In the U.S., it is now feasible to capture and use about 1.25 quadrillion Btu's of Biomethane from landfills, animal waste and POTWs (wastewater treatment systems) alone.  This is equivalent to about 6% of all of the natural gas presently used in the U.S.

• If this Biomethane were used as a transportation fuel in natural gas vehicles, the Biomethane would displace 10 billion gallons of gasoline per year!
  

Other Benefits and Incentives of Biomethane: 
The Federal Biogas/Biomethane Tax Credit:

Equal to 2.0 cents per KWH (approximately $5.66 per MMBtu) for electricity produced on-site from Biomethane.

All other uses of biogas and Biomethane in vehicles and producing electricity off-site) do not presently qualify for the Federal Biogas/Biomethane Tax Credit.

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Biomethane -
the Perfect Renewable Fuel and Now the 
Best of all Renewable Fuels?

As Biomethane is a near perfect fuel, and since Biomethane represents the best of all biofuels in terms of Recycling Carbon, and has the highest Net Energy Balance, and as Biomethane technologies such as Anaerobic Digesters and Biomass Gasification development increases and becomes even more commonplace, one of the fundamental questions is: what is the size of the potential biomass resource supply in the U.S.?

In April 2005, the DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) co-published a report assessing the potential of the land resources in the U.S. for producing sustainable biomass: Biomass as Feedstock for a Bioenergy and Bioproducts Industry: The Technical Feasibility of a Billion-Ton Annual Supply. Looking at forestland and agricultural land, the two largest potential biomass sources, this study estimates that the U.S. can sustainably produce up to 1.3 billion tons of biomass feedstock by mid-century. This would be enough feedstock to produce 60 billion gallons of B100 Biodiesel and E100 Ethanol with today's technologies.

This study doesn't address the opportunities for Biomethane production from biomass feedstock or Biomass Gasification technologies. Some recent estimates indicate that Biomethane could replace up to 50% of present natural gas consumption in the U.S. and in some countries, such as Iceland, Biomethane already provides 100% of the natural gas requirements.

There are many assumptions in the Billion Ton Study report that impact these estimates, but we believe the estimates reasonably reflect the potential availability and impact of biomass resources.

Of the total estimated resource, the study suggests that forestlands in the contiguous United States can produce approximately 368 million dry tons annually. This projection includes 52 million dry tons of fuelwood harvested from forests and woodlands, 145 million dry tons of residues from wood processing mills and pulp and paper mills, 47 million dry tons of urban wood residues including construction and demolition debris, 64 million dry tons of residues from logging and site clearing operations, and 60 million dry tons of biomass from fuel treatment operations.

Biomass to Biofuels

By "converting" biomass wastes – such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, crop residues, energy crops, and manure – into biofuels, this will resolve the energy, environmental and political problems in an economical and environmentally sound manner - that will produce over one million new jobs.

According to Jeff Seisler, Director of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association, "Biomethane has an outstanding potential as a multifaceted solution to multifaceted social problems: urban and agricultural waste management, water purification, and clean air. Urban and agricultural waste can be processed into usable methane, as can the sewage during the water purification process. Cleaning and compressing the gas for use in vehicles then provides cleaner air than petroleum-consuming vehicles."

Continuing, Mr. Seisler states about Biomethane; "this environmental 'closed loop waste-to-energy-to-fuel used in vehicles that again truck the next load of waste to the energy processing plants-substitutes fossil fuels with a renewable resource and reduces greenhouse gases 100% as compared to over gasoline vehicles (on a well-to-wheel basis).

According to Peter Boisen Chairman, of ENGVA, "various well respected European research institutes now estimate more than three times better fuel output per hectare of land used than if going for ethanol or biodiesel. Sweden currently has a 51% Biomethane share, and Switzerland 37%. France, Norway, Germany and Austria use smaller amounts for vehicles. Iceland, completely without natural gas, uses 100% biomethane in its NGVs," Boisen says.  Continuing, Boisen adds, "China, India, Korea, the Ukraine, Spain and Italy are other examples of countries now starting up projects where Biomethane will be used as a vehicle fuel." 

"With the energy efficiency of the gas production process at 50% to 70% it's hard to think of a more socially acceptable and economic energy value for the transportation sector," Boisen says.

"Governments need to get out of their liquid fuel paradigm to refocus and balance their policies and communications to support the development of a Biomethane infrastructure. In Europe Biomethane has the potential to replace 20% of the petroleum consumed in the transport sector by 2030."

Thursday, 29 June 2006
Sacramento, California USA and Sweden 

In a ceremony held at the Ministry of the Environment in Stockholm, representatives of the Kingdom of Sweden and the State of California signed an agreement pledging the two governments and their related industries to work together to develop bioenergy, with a particular emphasis on Biomethane. 

“Through a strong working relationship between its industry and government, Sweden is showing how bioenergy can be developed in a cost-effective manner that benefits its economy and environment. We are extremely pleased to have signed this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will provide a basis for intensified collaboration between Swedish and California officials to develop a thriving bioenergy industry in California,” said Joe Desmond, Undersecretary for the California Resources Agency.

In particular, Sweden has been a global leader in terms of converting biowaste, largely agricultural material and residues, into usable Biomethane. This gas is then used to either generate electricity, residential heating, or as a transportation fuel.

More than 8,000 vehicles in Sweden are powered by a combination of natural gas and Biomethane. The vehicles include transit buses, refuse trucks, and more than 10 different models of passenger cars. There are more than 25 Biomethane production facilities in Sweden and 65 filling stations. The Swedish Biomethane industry has been growing at an annual rate of about 20 percent over the last five years.

According to the Swedish Gas Association, more than 50 percent of the methane used to power Sweden’s natural gas vehicles now comes from biological sources, up from 45% last year. Natural gas vehicle sales in Sweden are increasing at the rate of 25% per annum. 

Sweden was motivated to develop its Biomethane industry because it has no natural gas reserves, to more efficiently manage its waste, and to meet its obligations under the Kyoto Accord. Since Biomethane is developed from methane sources that would normally release into the atmosphere, it’s considered one of the most climate friendly fuels. Methane (and Biomethane) is 21 times more reactive as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2). Sweden is currently meetings its objectives and schedule as outlined in the Kyoto accord.

Biomethane is developed by heating up and breaking down biomaterials in an (Anaerobic Digesters) digester. Among other raw materials, Swedish operators feed their Anaerobic Digesters with slaughterhouse waste, swine manure, and even grassy crops. After the materials breakdown over a 20 day period, technology is then used to remove the impurities and produce Biomethane. Once cleaned-up, Biomethane is 98 percent methane and easily meets the Swedish and California pipeline standards.

The Memorandum of Understanding can be accessed on the California Resources Agency Web site: http://resources.ca.gov/press_documents/CaliforniaSwedenBiofuelsMOU.pdf

____________________________________________________

What is "Cogeneration"?

Did you know that 10% of our nation's electricity now comes from "cogeneration" plants?

And because cogeneration is so efficient, it saves its customers up to 40% on their energy expenses, and provides even greater savings to our environment through significant reductions in fuel usage and much lower greenhouse gas emissions.

Cogeneration - also known as “combined heat and power” (CHP), cogen, district energy, total energy, and combined cycle, is the simultaneous production of heat (usually in the form of hot water and/or steam) and power, utilizing one primary fuel such as natural gas, or a renewable fuel, such as Biomethane, B100 Biodiesel, or Synthesis Gas.

Cogeneration technology is not the latest industry buzz-word being touted as the solution to our nation's energy woes. Cogeneration is a proven technology that has been around for over 120 years!

Our nation's first commercial power plant was a cogeneration plant that was designed and built by Thomas Edison in 1882 in New York. Our nation's first commercial power plant was called the "Pearl Street Station."

What is "Trigeneration"?

Trigeneration is the simultaneous production of three forms of energy - typically, Cooling, Heating and Power - from only one fuel input. Put another way, our trigeneration power plants produce three different types of energy for the price of one.  

Trigeneration energy systems can reach overall system efficiencies of 86% to 93%.  Typical "central" power plants, that do not need the heat generated from the combustion and power generation process, are only about 33% efficient.

Trigeneration Diagram & Description
Trigeneration Power Plants' Have the Highest System Efficiencies and are 
About 300 % More Efficient than Typical Central Power Plants

Trigeneration plants are installed at locations that can benefit from all three forms of energy.  These types of installations that install trigeneration energy systems are called "onsite power generation" also referred to as "decentralized energy."   

One of our company's principal's first experience with the design and development of a trigeneration power plant was the trigeneration power plant installation at Rice University in 1987 where our trigeneration development team started out by conducting a "cogeneration" feasibility study.  The EPC contractor that Rice University selected installed the trigeneration power which included a 4.0 MW Ruston gas turbine power plant, along with waste heat recovery boilers and Absorption Chillers.  A "waste heat recovery boiler" captures the heat from the exhaust of the gas turbine.  From there, the recovered energy was converted to chilled water - originally from (3) Hitachi Absorption Chillers - 2 were rated at 1,000 tons each, and the third Hitachi Absorption Chiller was rated at 1,500 tons. The Hitachi Absorption Chillers were replaced shortly after their installation by the EPC company.  The first trigeneration plant at Rice University was so successful, they added a second 5.0 MW trigeneration plant so today, Rice University is now generating about 9.0 MW of electricity, and also producing the cooling and heating the university needs from the trigeneration plant and circulating the trigeneration energy around its campus.

Trigeneration Chart
Trigeneration's "Super-Efficiency" compared 
with other competing technologies
As you can see, there is No Competition for Trigeneration!

Our trigeneration power plants are the ideal onsite power and energy solution for customers that include:  Data Centers, Hospitals, Universities, Airports, Central Plants, Colleges & Universities, Dairies, Server Farms, District Heating & Cooling Plants, Food Processing Plants, Golf/Country Clubs, Government Buildings, Grocery Stores, Hotels, Manufacturing Plants, Nursing Homes, Office Buildings / Campuses, Radio Stations, Refrigerated Warehouses, Resorts, Restaurants, Schools, Server Farms, Shopping Centers, Supermarkets, Television Stations, Theatres and Military Bases.

At about 86% to 93% net system efficiency, our trigeneration power plants are about 300% more efficient at providing energy than your current electric utility. That's because the typical electric utility's power plants are only about 33% efficient - they waste 2/3 of the fuel in generating electricity in the enormous amount of waste heat energy that they exhaust through their smokestacks.

Trigeneration is defined as the simultaneous production of three energies: Cooling, Heating and Power.  Our trigeneration energy systems use the same amount of fuel in producing three energies that would normally only produce just one type of energy. This means our customers that have our trigeneration power plants have significantly lower energy expenses, and a lower carbon footprint.

Our New "Integrated" Trigeneration Plants Have 
Very High Efficiencies & Low Fuel Costs

The Effective Heat Rate is Approximately 
4050 btu/kW & System Efficiency is 92% Plants Have 
Very High Efficiencies & Low Fuel Costs

Pictures (below) of a Cogeneration Plant Presently Being Built for New Customer.  

This Cogeneration Plant is Rated at 900 kW and Features:
(2) Natural Gas Engines @ 450 kW each on one Skid with Optional 
Selective Catalytic Reduction system that removes Nitrogen Oxides to "non-detect."

Our onsite trigeneration power and energy system can be an ideal solution for customers wanting increased power reliability and decreased energy and environmental costs.  A few of the types of buildings and businesses that would benefit from an onsite trigeneration plant include the following:

• Airports

• Casinos

• Central Plants

• Colleges & Universities

• Dairies

• Data Centers 

• District Heating & Cooling plants

• Food Processing Plants

• Golf/Country Clubs

• Government Buildings and Facilities 

• Grocery Stores

• Hospitals 

• Hotels

• Manufacturing Plants

• Military Bases

• Nursing Homes 

• Office Buildings / Campuses

• Radio Stations

• Refrigerated Warehouses 

• Resorts 

• Restaurants 

• Schools

• Server Farms

• Shopping centers 

• Supermarkets 

• Television Stations

• Theatres

Waste Heat Recovery in Cogeneration and 
Trigeneration power and energy systems

In most cogeneration and trigeneration power and energy systems, the exhaust gas from the electric generation equipment is ducted to a heat exchanger to recover the thermal energy in the gas. These heat exchangers are air-to-water heat exchangers, where the exhaust gas flows over some form of tube and fin heat exchange surface and the heat from the exhaust gas is transferred to make hot water or steam. The hot water or steam is then used to provide hot water or steam heating and/or to operate thermally activated equipment, such as an absorption chiller for cooling or a desiccant dehumidifer for dehumidification.

Many of the waste heat recovery technologies used in building co/trigeneration systems require hot water, some at moderate pressures of 15 to 150 psig. In the cases where additional steam or pressurized hot water is needed, it may be necessary to provide supplemental heat to the exhaust gas with a duct burner.

In some applications air-to-air heat exchangers can be used. In other instances, if the emissions from the generation equipment are low enough, such as is with many of the microturbine technologies, the hot exhaust gases can be mixed with make-up air and vented directly into the heating system for building heating.

In the majority of installations, a flapper damper or "diverter" is employed to vary flow across the heat transfer surfaces of the heat exchanger to maintain a specific design temperature of the hot water or steam generation rate.

Typical Waste Heat Recovery Installation

In some co/trigeneration designs, the exhaust gases can be used to activate a thermal wheel or a desiccant dehumidifier. Thermal wheels use the exhaust gas to heat a wheel with a medium that absorbs the heat and then transfers the heat when the wheel is rotated into the incoming airflow.

A professional engineer should be involved in designing and sizing of the waste heat recovery section. For a proper and economical operation, the design of the heat recovery section involves consideration of many related factors, such as the thermal capacity of the exhaust gases, the exhaust flow rate, the sizing and type of heat exchanger, and the desired parameters over a various range of operating conditions of the co/trigeneration system — all of which need to be considered for proper and economical operation.

For more information on Waste Heat Recovery and Waste Heat Boilers, call/email us.

How we make and distribute electricity is changing! 

The electric power generation, transmission and distribution system (the electric "grid") is changing and evolving from the electric grid of the 19th and 20th centuries, which was inefficient, highly-polluting, very expensive and “dumb.”  

The "old" way of generating and distributing energy resembles this slide:

According to Monty Goodell, Founder and Chairman of the Renewable Energy Institute, "our increased dependence and reliance on foreign energy supplies represents a Clear and Present Danger to our national security, our economy, and the lives and livelihood of every American. Energy - including the energy we use from imported fossil fuels, is the very "lifeblood" of the American economy as it is for every industrialized country.  An economy dies without it's lifeblood of energy. This Clear and Present Danger we face is far more serious than the problems related to greenhouse gas emissions.  And while greenhouse gas emissions are very serious issue, in the long-term, pales in comparison to America's vital national security interests and America's economic stability in the short term.  For this reason alone, America needs to transition away from its addiction to foreign energy supplies. And America's abundant renewable energy resources such as the energy we receive from the sun, and renewable energy technologies such as concentrated solar power (CSP) plants - can supply 100% of America's power requirements with a concentrating solar power plant measuring 75 miles by 75 miles, located in the Southwest U.S.  By generating America's power from concentrating solar power plants, America resolves its' short-term Clear and Present Danger as it relates to importing its energy from foreign countries, and the long-term problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions."

Continuing, Mr. Goodell states that "too many Americans have forgotten what happened to us in 1973, when the Arabs and OPEC brought the United States economy to a screeching halt during the OPEC Oil Embargo.  This happened because they (mainly the country of Saudi Arabia) disagreed with our foreign policy and is the reason why they "turned off the tap" of our need for their oil supplies. When Saudi Arabia and OPEC stopped the vital flow of oil to our country in 1973, they caused an "oil shock" that severely and negatively impacted our economy. 

Mr. Goodell's question for us to ponder is, "do these countries who sell us 60% of our daily energy requirements, like us and our foreign policy, or might they leverage our addiction to their fossil fuels, and turn off the tap to make us adjust or revise our foreign policy??  Like any addict, America's foreign policy may be held hostage to its addiction, and in this case, our addiction to foreign oil, may over-ride our national interests."

Have American's forgotten the gas shortages and long lines at 
their gas stations to get gas during the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973? 

"Apparently so."  Mr. Goodell states that "in 1973, America was 'addicted' and 'over the barrel' of foreign oil to the amount of 40%.  Forty percent of our energy 'needs' in 1973 came from countries - many of which didn't like us then, and I'm afraid, many of them still don't.  The difference between 1973 and today - is that today we receive 50% MORE foreign oil now than we did in 1973.  And now we know about the problems relating to greenhouse gas emissions that we didn't know then.  America needs to change course, and change course now, in terms of its' energy supplies and how we keep America's economy strong, without the threat of being held hostage to a middle-east tyrant or regime, that could once again, turn on us, and turn off our supply of foreign oil." 

Remember ????

"Sadly, most Americans have forgotten the long lines of people waiting in their cars - lined up and waiting for gasoline at their nearby gas station, with lines that were many blocks long.  And, after waiting 4-5 hours, many even waiting overnight in many places, to finally take their turn to fill up their car with gasoline, only to find that the gas station had run out of gas."

"Let me Repeat.... That was 1973 when we imported 40% of our daily energy requirements in the form of crude oil from overseas, and from foreign countries - and many of these from countries that don't like us.

Today, over 35 years later, America has yet to learn the lesson.  We cannot continue our reliance on energy from foreign countries that supply us with 60% of the crude oil that our refineries use as a feedstock for producing gasoline and diesel fuel for our cars and trucks comes from overseas. 

America is "over the barrel" and it's not our barrel, but the barrels of oil that we are addicted by and owned by other countries.  Why have we not learned the lessons we needed to learn in 1973 when we were cut-off from the vital energy supplies we need? 

Countries like China, are growing rapidly, and have an insatiable need for crude oil. China, with their booming economy, is increasingly growing in its clout and control over international supplies of crude oil - whether they do this through their ability to buy as much oil as they need on a daily basis, or whether they simply but American drilling rigs, technology, and explore and produce oil and gas from their own fields. China, is buying large amounts of oil for their country, and causing upward pricing on declining supplies. What happens if Russia, with all of their oil and natural gas, along with China and Venezuela, with or without the help of OPEC, decided to NOT sell oil to us????

To be sure, greenhouse gas emissions are a problem, and to some, greenhouse gas emissions are also a Clear and Present Danger, but not to the extent that it presents an imminent Clear and Present Danger. 

America's reliance for 60% of our energy "needs" coming from foreign suppliers is un-acceptable.

The "driver" to get America to begin reducing and eliminating fossil fuel use should be our nation's national security and the welfare and safety of its citizens. And this can all begin with developing and investing in our own renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies, let's start by putting solar on every rooftop that has a clear and unobstructed view of the Southern sky. See www.RooftopPV.com  or  www.DistributedPV.com  for more information.  Let's create incentives begin with adopting a national "Feed In Tariff" as Germany did in 1990. 

We simply do NOT have the luxury of time on our hands.  We need to end our dependence and reliance on foreign fossil fuels, especially from countries that don't like us! We need to rapidly begin expanding renewable energy resources and renewable energy technologies from our vast and abundant renewable energy resources, such as; solar, solar energy systems, solar cogeneration, solar trigeneration, "solar on every roof," along with; Biomass Gasification, B100 Biodiesel, Biomethane, E100 Ethanol (from cellulosic, agricultural waste, sugar cane, etc., and NOT from corn), Geothermal Power Plants, Natural Wastewater Treatment, Synthesis Gas, Waste To Energy, Waste To Fuel and Wind Power Generation where it makes economic and environmental sense."   

For more information, call or email:

American Energy Plan
www.AmericanEnergyPlan.com

Gas Genset
www.GasGenset.com