Question

Biogas is produced by:
A) Aerobic breakdown of biomass
B) Anaerobic breakdown of biomass
C) With the help of methanogenic bacteria
D) Both (b) and (c)

Answer 1

Hint: Biogas is the mixture of gases which are formed when organic matter is broken down in the absence of oxygen, mainly methane and carbon dioxide. Agricultural waste, compost, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, renewable waste, and food waste will also be used to create biogas.

Complete answer:
Anaerobic digestion is a fermentation process in which waste is digested by bacteria to release methane gas (biogas), is used in biogas plants. The waste could be converted into biofertilizer and added directly to crops, or biogas can be used as a fuel replacement for natural gas.

Biogas and biomethane can also be prepared for use on the plant. In practise, however, the majority of biogas is used directly after it is produced. As a result, the need for biogas storage is normally only immediate, such as when demand exceeds usage or when digester equipment has to be serviced.

Biogas is a fusion of mainly methane and carbon dioxide, formed when organic matter is broken down into these gases in the absence of oxygen. The only way to make biogas is to break down biomass anaerobically. As anaerobic bacteria, methanogens are also anaerobic bacteria. 'Both (b) and (c)' is the right answer.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (D) Both (b) and (c)

Note: The biogas formed by anaerobically digesting manure is mainly made up of methane and carbon dioxide, with minor quantities of hydrogen sulphide, ammonia, and other gases. Any of these gases has its own set of safety concerns. Explosion, asphyxiation, cancer, and hydrogen sulphide toxicity are also potential biogas hazards.