Biogas Upgrading into Renewable Natural Gas: Part II—An Assessment of Emerging Technologies

Blake Foret, José Ramón Laines Canepa, Gabriel Núñez-Nogueira, Stephen Dufreche, Rafael Hernandez, Daniel Gang, Wayne Sharp, Emmanuel Revellame, Dhan Lord B. Fortela, Sarah Simoneaux, Hayden Hulin, William E. Holmes and Mark E. Zappi ()
Additional contact information
Blake Foret: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
José Ramón Laines Canepa: Department of Environmental Engineering, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa 86039, Tabasco, Mexico
Gabriel Núñez-Nogueira: Department of Biology, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, Villahermosa 86039, Tabasco, Mexico
Stephen Dufreche: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Rafael Hernandez: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Daniel Gang: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Wayne Sharp: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Emmanuel Revellame: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Dhan Lord B. Fortela: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Sarah Simoneaux: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Hayden Hulin: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
William E. Holmes: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA
Mark E. Zappi: Energy Institute of Louisiana, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA 70503, USA

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 21, 1-23

Abstract: Renewable natural gas is an innovative alternative fuel source that has the potential to integrate seamlessly into the current energy and fuel sector. In addition, growing concerns related to energy security and environmental impact are incentivizing the development of RNG technologies. In conjunction with this document, current technologies related to biogas conditioning and biogas upgrading were covered in a separate analysis deemed Part I. With the current technologies, however, issues such as compositional quality, combustion efficiency, and high operational costs still need to be addressed before RNG can reach its true capability in use. Recent innovations have focused on optimizing techniques and introducing new methods to maximize methane yield and purity while minimizing costs and energy consumption. This document, Part II, provides an overview of emerging technologies related to further biogas upgrading, such as cryogenics, methane enrichment, and hybrid treatments, aimed at increasing cleaned biogas purity. Processes in development are also discussed, including industrial lung, supersonic separation, chemical hydrogenation, hydrate formation, and various biological treatments. The benefits of these advancements are increased purity for the ability to pipeline renewable natural gas in existing infrastructure, help industries reach sustainability goals, and contribute to a more resilient energy system. Together, Parts I and II offer a comprehensive understanding of both current and future technological developments.

Keywords: biogas; alternative energy; renewable natural gas; biogas upgrading (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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