What is a biogas engine?

A biogas engine is defined as any specially designed reciprocating piston engine (internal combustion engine) used for the production of electrical energy and useful heat. Heat in this case is produced from burning the raw biogas* produced in the anaerobic digestion process. Biogas engines (also called simply gas engines) are used to make power.

Why choose Caterpillar for your biogas installation?

Why Choose Caterpillar For Your Biogas Installation? Cat biogas generators are specifically engineered to withstand the rigors of biogas applications. Key components are hardened against the corrosive properties of the gas, maximizing longevity and efficient operation.

What is biogas cogeneration?

The combined use of electricity and hot water is known as biogas cogeneration. This is also known as “electricity production” with Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and involves the use of biogas from the anaerobic digestion (AD) process. Biogas is most generally made use of in reciprocating gas engines.

Is biogas a better fuel than methane?

Biogas is an excellent renewable gas, typically offering greenhouse gas reduction of around 80-85 %. Methane has a very high octane number permitting the usage of high compression ratios in trigger ignition engines.

How does a biogas generator work?

Historically, the most common use of biogas has been to power a stationary internal combustion engine that has been changed to operate on biogas as the fuel. The generator unit is called the “biogas generator”. This creates 3 phase electric power and initially a voltage of (400V).

What is upgraded biogas?

* Since writing the original version of this page the further purification of raw biogas to pure methane (known as upgraded biogas) has become popular. Biomethane has also now become fuel for biogas engines. Biogas engines have been developed that are specifically designed to operate on different types of biogas.