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Reference.org
Renewable natural gas
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<p>Renewable natural gas (RNG), also known as biomethane, is a <a href="/facts/Renewable_fuel/flb46VjG">renewable fuel</a> made from <a href="/facts/Biogas/smSbYCKl">biogas</a> that has been upgraded to a quality similar to <a href="/facts/Fossil_fuel/BPgxAqB7">fossil</a> <a href="/facts/Natural_gas/9MYQ7NAP">natural gas</a> and has a <a href="/facts/Methane/kBHneYnh">methane</a> concentration of 90% or greater. By removing <a href="/facts/Carbon_dioxide/xGzpppEp">carbon dioxide</a> and other impurities from biogas, the concentration of methane is high enough that it becomes possible to distribute RNG via existing gas <a href="/facts/Pipeline/h0jjtIqC">pipeline</a> infrastructure. RNG can be used in existing appliances, including vehicles with natural gas burning engines (<a href="/facts/Natural_gas_vehicles/7TDQJsRB">natural gas vehicles</a>). </p><p>The most common way of collecting biogas with which to produce biomethane is through the process of <a href="/facts/Anaerobic_digestion/EUaMIVpM">anaerobic digestion</a>. Anaerobic digestion facilities are either purpose built such as facilities that digest <a href="/facts/Manure/1C2z9u3l">manure</a>, household organic waste, or <a href="/facts/Wastewater_treatment/b5bJ6aJm">wastewater treatment plants.</a> Biogas is also byproduct of the decomposition of organic materials in <a href="/facts/Landfill/7K4efGgz">landfills</a>. </p><p>RNG can also be produced through the methanation of carbon dioxide/<a href="/facts/Carbon_monoxide/CKuLtEMJ">monoxide</a> and hydrogen using either <a href="/facts/Biomethanation/5sA0no5A">biomethanation</a>, the <a href="/facts/Sabatier_process/eW2xfzaG">Sabatier process</a> or through electrochemical cells similar to <a href="/facts/Fuel_cell/UcMYnCW3">fuel cells</a>. These approaches can be used to methanate carbon dioxide from carbon capture facilities or <a href="/facts/Syngas/VfslxkIN">synthetic gas</a> (syngas) produced from the gasification of wood or other <a href="/facts/Lignocellulosic_biomass/b9EkMneQ">lignocellulosic</a> materials. These approaches to producing RNG are still being developed and account for a small fraction of global production. </p>