Biogas and Natural Gas
Vehicle Fuel
Presented by:
Mark Torresani, P.E.
Cornerstone Environmental Group, LLC
Wisconsin Public Utility Institute
Madison, WI
Wednesday, July 14, 2011
What is Compressed
Natural Gas (CNG)?


CNG is pipeline quality Nat Gas at 3,000 to
5,000 PSI
BioCNG can be collected from - landfills,
wastewater treatment plants, digesters

CNG is used worldwide as a vehicle fuel
(more than 13,000,000 vehicles in use)

Powers small and large vehicles
(Mopeds to Semi trucks)
The Anaerobic
Decomposition Process
Organic
Matter
“WASTE”
Acid
Forming
Bacteria
CH4
50 to 65%
Organic Acids
(Acetic Acid)
CH3COOH
+ CO2 + Heat
35 to 50%
Methane
Forming
Bacteria
Typical Bi-Fuel CNG Vehicle
Source: Green Car Congress
CNG Fueling Station Schematic
Fast Fill Station
Source NGVA
CNG / BioCNG Advantages

Domestically produced plentiful fuel (nearly
90% of all natural gas used in the United
States comes from North America)

Biogas can be treated and converted into
CNG and is a renewable fuel

CNG and BioCNG Cleaner Burning Fuel

Less Expensive than Gasoline or Diesel
(approximately ½)
$/MMBtu
Crude Oil-Natural Gas Comparison Chart
January 2007-December 2012
$30.00
$20.00
$10.00
$0.00
Jan-13
Oct-12
Jul-12
Apr-12
Jan-12
Oct-11
Jul-11
Apr-11
Jan-11
Oct-10
Jul-10
Apr-10
Jan-10
Natural Gas
Crude Oil
Oct-09
Jul-09
Apr-09
Jan-09
Oct-08
Jul-08
Apr-08
Jan-08
Oct-07
Jul-07
Apr-07
Jan-07
Date
What Next?
Ford Fusion 2011 CNG / Gasoline
System Delivery December 23, 2010
System Startup December 28, 2010
First Vehicle Fueled March 18, 2011
Biogas Treatment
Requirements / Considerations

Moisture removal

Hydrogen Sulfide removal

VOC removal

CO2 removal

Fuel requirements, SAE J1616
Rodefeld Landfill / BioCNG Gas
Constituents
Constituent
CH4
Units
vol. %
Inlet LFG
55.0
BioCNG
90.0
CO2
vol. %
39.5
0.3
O2
vol. %
0.5
0.1
N2
vol. %
5.0
9.6
H2S
ppmv
250
ND
Notes:
(1) Data is compiled from field and laboratory analysis of samples collected on January 4, 2011.
(2) Cummins ISL G engine specifications call for a minimum methane number of 75 CH4
BioCNG System Basics
System Size Biogas Inlet
Flow (scfm)
Fuel
Production
(GGE/day)
Fuel
Production
(GGE/year)
Approx.
BioCNG 50
50
200-275
80,000
BioCNG 100
100
375-550
160,000
BioCNG 200
200
775-1100
320,000
•Production costs are from $.50 to $1.00 / GGE depending on
inlet biogas quality and system size
•Federal and State taxes or credits will be an additional cost or
deduction
CNG and BioCNG Economic
Considerations

Base value on off-setting diesel, gasoline, natural
gas or CNG?

Alternate vehicle fuel incentives or grants?
 Nat Gas Act, State Incentives, Clean Vehicle Coalition, RIN’s

Value placed on environment / sustainability

Number of CNG vehicles to use fuel?

Cooperative Fueling Station Agreements
Contact Information
Mark Torresani, P.E.
Sr. Project Engineer
Cornerstone Environmental Group, LLC
8413 Excelsior Drive, Suite 160
Madison, WI 53717
(630) 633-5835 Office
(920) 980-7044 Cell
[email protected]
www.cornerstoneeg.com