Question

Distinguish between biogas and natural gas.

Answer 1

Hint: Energy sources are categorised into two kinds—renewable and non-renewable. Renewable sources of energy are naturally replenished and thus have the advantage of unlimited supply over a long period. Non-renewable energy, on the other hand, is sources of energy which have a limited supply and take a very long time to replenish.

Complete Answer:

Biogas	Natural gas
-Biogas is produced from decomposing organic waste such as food, animal waste, etc. Through the process of anaerobic digestion, the organic matter is broken down in an oxygen-free environment and releases a blend of gases, primarily methane and carbon dioxide.	-Natural gas exists as a fossil fuel formed over millions of years as thick layers of animal and plant remains on the earth’s surface and ocean floors, mixed with sand, silt, and calcium carbonate. It consists primarily of methane, and other high alkanes, with a small percentage of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide or helium.
-Biogas is a renewable source of energy which means that they are naturally replenished and thus have the advantage of unlimited supply over a long period.	-Natural gas is a non-renewable source of energy which means that once replenished it takes a very long time to form.
-Biogas can be used on-site to heat buildings and power boilers and as cooking gas. It can also be turned into electricity using a combustion engine, fuel cell, or gas turbine. Renewable natural gas (RNG) is a form of biogas that has been refined to remove carbon dioxide, water vapour, and other trace gases to make it meet the industry standards of natural gas.	-It is used as an energy source for cooking, heating, fuel, electricity generation and in the manufacture of plastics.
-The process of anaerobic digestion to produce biogas occurs in nature, landfills, and some livestock manure management systems.	-Seismic surveys are used on land and in the ocean to find the right places to drill natural gas and oil wells. After a potential site has been tested with an exploratory well, processing plants are set up and the process of hydraulic fracturing or fracking is used to drill natural gas.

Note:Renewable sources of energy include solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, biomass (that produces biogas), geothermal energy. Non-renewable energy includes coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy.