In addition to methane, what is a major biogas produced in anaerobic digestion?

In the process of anaerobic digestion, microorganisms break down organic matter in the absence of oxygen, producing biogas as a byproduct. While methane is the primary component of biogas, carbon dioxide is also a significant product of this digestion process.

The presence of carbon dioxide in biogas typically ranges from 30% to 50%, depending on the feedstock and operational conditions of the anaerobic digestion system. This gas can be collected and utilized alongside methane for energy production, but it is important to note that carbon dioxide does not contribute to the heating value of the biogas in the same way that methane does.

In contrast, the other gases mentioned, such as nitrogen and hydrogen, are either not produced in significant quantities or are not typical end products of anaerobic digestion. Oxygen is especially irrelevant in this context as its presence is counterproductive to the anaerobic process itself since the goal is to create an oxygen-free environment for the anaerobic microorganisms to thrive. Thus, carbon dioxide stands out as the major gas produced alongside methane during anaerobic digestion.