RNG at a Glance

Biogas is produced from organic material in a process called anaerobic digestion (or decomposition, without the presence of oxygen). In this process, naturally occurring bacteria break down organic materials—things like food and yard waste, animal manure, and sewage sludge—over time in oxygen-free environments to create biogas. Biogas comprises roughly equal parts of both carbon dioxide and biomethane (RNG) along with other impurities that may include hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic compounds, siloxanes, nitrogen and oxygen.

Biogas upgrading systems cleanse contaminants from raw biogas and separate carbon dioxide from biomethane, compressing the resulting gas as required to create a clean, high-purity low-carbon fuel: renewable natural gas that meets specific pipeline or transportation-application requirements.

Biomethane, or renewable natural gas, has a very high concentration of renewably produced biomethane (generally at least 96%) with small residual quantities of carbon dioxide and other impurities. This makes RNG interchangeable with natural gas in the distribution network or when used directly in vehicles, removing the carbon footprint and providing a green-energy alternative. RNG pipeline injection and vehicle-use specifications can vary widely across different countries and jurisdictions.

RNG can be used to power or fuel anything that runs on natural gas. Because of its composition, RNG is a drop-in replacement for traditional natural gas that can be used in any blend ratio up to 100%, enabling gas utilities to green their natural gas grids.