Copy of `AG Power Field Processing - Energy glossary`

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AG Power Field Processing - Energy glossary Category: Earth and Environment > Energy industry terms Date & country: 28/02/2017, USA Words: 5

Process
During the Anaerobic Digestion phase of the process, the manure is heated and mixed with ubiquitous bacterial organisms that decompose or `digest` the waste inside capsules called `digesters`. This process of digestion leads to the creation of biomethane (methane & carbon dioxide), which is an end product that is both soluble and economical, allowing the biomethane to be easily removed from the digester as the separation of biomethane from the organic waste occurs naturally. Biogas production creates a market to employ a sustainable and inexhaustible biofuel that can be used for electrical production and heating as well as an alternative, cleaner fuel for our vehicles. Injecting this biomethane into the existing network of pipelines will lead to the leverage of foreign oil consumption and will decrease the negative impact these fuels have on our planet. Methane derived from organic waste offers the world an alternative, sustainable and renewable energy solution creating and retaining jobs, strengthening rural and economic growth while protecting the environment.

Biomethane
is a gas produced by the biological breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas originates from biogenic material and is a type of biofuel. As time passes and more resources are consumed; available fossil fuels will begin to decline and eventually cease to exist. Due to the large and ever increasing population on this planet, our need for the resources available to us continues to grow thus causing us to use more of these resources than ever before, and the planet simply cannot keep up. Shortages of oil and gas are a major threat to our future and the future of our children and if this problem is ignored, shortages of vital resources will continue to increase around the world and further consequences will be endured by the future generations to come. So how do we solve this problem? The answer is simple. We use less. Alternative energy sources including solar, wind, geothermal and biogas have been areas of focus for the last decade and many companies are beginning to take the steps necessary to begin the changes we need to implement and therefore reduce the amount of fossil fuels we use to power our planet. While some alternative sources of energy such as solar and wind can be costly, biogas production utilizes scalable and inexpensive technology combined with a proven process to help mitigate the amount of foreign oil we use to drive our vehicles.

Biofuel/Biogas
a gaseous fuel such as methane, produced by the fermentation of organic matter.

Biogas
Biogas is a form of renewable energy that is commonly used for processes involving heat and steam, but can also be converted into electricity, used for gas turbines, fuel cells, and most importantly, our gas-powered combustion engines. The exhaust emissions from methane-powered vehicles are lower than the emission levels from diesel and gasoline engines; an ongoing area of concern. Over time, the increased use of methane powered vehicles will solve many of the environmental problems our society faces in the world today. Unlike fossil fuels, the use of biomethane (Biogas) does not contribute to increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. This form of biogas can be upgraded to fit the required natural gas specifications and can be injected directly into the existing network of natural gas pipelines in the United States and abroad. The potential advantage of increased use of methane as an alternative source of energy is the reduction in the demand for finite fossil fuels. This will help improve the global environment and climate; thus creating cleaner, more efficient vehicles required to significantly reduce the toxic emission levels resulting from the use of fossil fuels.

Anaerobic Digestion
Biofuel production from agricultural waste is accomplished through the conversion into biogas which is composed primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. This conversion is called Anaerobic Digestion, which is a process by which a mixture of microorganisms transforms (eats) the organic materials (manure) that leads to the creation of biogas. The production of biogas directly contributes to sustainable energy production, effective waste treatment, reduced odor and pollution and boosted rural and economic development. Nitrogen and phosphorus are the two major nutrients found in organic waste (manure) and are required in the anaerobic digestion process. They serve as the building blocks for microbial growth within the digesters and these nutrients in the organic waste remain in the treated waste throughout the entire process of digestion and can potentially serve biological and agricultural needs as the end product of the digestion process contains the nutrients plants and other organic crops need to grow (nitrogen and phosphorus). Once the material is tested and the end product is determined to be safe for the environment while suitable for other uses, it may become possible to refine and use this end product as a commercial fertilizer. Should this material prove to be useful to these other industries, we will begin to benefit from increased nutrient content and overall plant health, thus improving the quality of food we consume on a global level.