Bio-Liquefied Natural Gas (Bio-LNG)
Business Overview
The core business of Bio-LNG involves converting biomass—such as palm waste, agricultural residues, forestry and paper industry waste, livestock and poultry manure, organic waste, and sewage sludge—into biogas containing 50–70% methane through anaerobic digestion. The biogas is then purified through processes such as desulfurization, decarbonization, and dehydration to produce high-purity biomethane. Subsequently, the biomethane is liquefied at a low temperature of -162°C to produce Bio-LNG. During the production process, off-gases and wastewater are recovered or treated in an environmentally sound manner, resulting in a clean fuel suitable for energy supply. In some cases, carbon capture is also integrated into the production process, further enhancing its environmental value. In addition, the business scope covers feedstock procurement, product transportation, and supply chain certification.
Composition of a Bio-Liquefied Natural Gas (Bio-LNG) Plant
A Bio-LNG plant is centered on biomass conversion, integrating multiple units including feedstock handling, purification, liquefaction, and storage, supported by auxiliary systems. The main components are as follows:
Biogas Production Unit via Biomass Fermentation
The core equipment is the biogas digester, which utilizes anaerobic digestion technology to convert biomass feedstocks—such as palm waste, agricultural residues, and organic waste—into biogas under oxygen-free conditions. The system must adjust fermentation parameters according to different types of feedstock to ensure stable biogas yield and methane content, thereby providing a reliable raw gas source for subsequent processing.
Biogas Pre-treatment and Purification Unit
This is a critical stage for improving gas purity, mainly comprising desulfurization, decarbonization, dehydration, and mercury removal units. The desulfurization unit typically uses equipment such as scrubber absorption towers to remove hydrogen sulfide, while also providing deodorization and preventing equipment corrosion. The decarbonization unit removes carbon dioxide through reactors or adsorption systems. In some processes, in-situ carbon capture can also be achieved. Additionally, tail gas from the liquefaction process can be utilized for adsorbent regeneration, thereby enhancing overall resource efficiency.
Liquefaction and Storage Unit
Liquefaction is typically carried out using refrigeration systems that condense purified high-purity methane into liquid form at cryogenic temperatures. Dedicated LNG storage tanks are used to store the liquid product. In some systems, a recirculation loop is installed to return boil-off gas generated in the storage tanks back to the liquefaction unit for re-liquefaction, thereby minimizing product losses. In addition, LNG vaporizers are included to convert liquid LNG back into gaseous form prior to end use. Some vaporizers can also be integrated with cold storage facilities, absorbing heat from the cold storage while reducing their own energy consumption for refrigeration.
Auxiliary Support Systems
These include utilities such as power supply and water supply to ensure stable operation of all units. Tail gas recovery and carbon management systems are installed to enable recycling of off-gases and compliant treatment of carbon dioxide. Furthermore, comprehensive safety monitoring systems are implemented to continuously track key parameters such as pressure and temperature during liquefaction and storage, mitigating risks associated with cryogenic conditions and high pressure.
Key Advantages of Bio-Liquefied Natural Gas (Bio-LNG)
Significant Carbon Emission Reduction
Compared with conventional diesel or fossil-based LNG, Bio-LNG can achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 90%. In some processes, it can even deliver negative carbon emissions.
High Compatibility
Bio-LNG is fully compatible with existing LNG infrastructure. The liquefied biomethane can be directly used in current LNG facilities and engines without any modification—including LNG refueling stations, transport tankers, LNG-powered vessels, and gas engines—significantly reducing the transition cost for industry adoption.
Modular and Flexible Process Design
The process can be flexibly configured into skid-mounted or large-scale production modules based on feedstock types and capacity requirements. For example, small rural projects can adopt compact integrated systems to process agricultural residues and manure.
Diversified Economic Benefits
In addition to revenue from fuel sales, additional income can be generated through carbon credit mechanisms. Carbon dioxide captured during production can be further utilized, while certain by-products and waste heat can also be recovered and reused.
Application Scenarios of Bio-Liquefied Natural Gas (Bio-LNG)
Ocean and Inland Waterway Shipping
Bio-LNG can meet the greenhouse gas reduction targets set by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). It can be used as marine bunker fuel for LNG-powered vessels without requiring any modification to existing ship hardware.
Long-Haul Road Logistics
Bio-LNG is well-suited for heavy-duty vehicles such as long-distance freight trucks. Its high energy density supports extended driving ranges, helping the logistics sector reduce carbon emissions and align with green transition goals.
Industrial Energy Supply
Bio-LNG can be used as a source of heat, power, or steam in industrial production, providing low-carbon energy for sectors such as chemicals and manufacturing, and supporting high energy-consuming industries in achieving their decarbonization targets.
Urban and Rural Energy Supply
Bio-LNG can supply clean fuel to urban LNG refueling stations. In rural areas, small-scale production units can be deployed to convert locally available biomass—such as agricultural residues and livestock manure—into Bio-LNG, meeting the energy needs of rural households as well as small commercial and industrial users.
Power Generation Sector
Bio-LNG can serve as a green fuel for power plants. In Southeast Asia, some companies export Bio-LNG for electricity generation, achieving both high efficiency and compliance with environmental requirements.
