The word methanization means the decomposition of organic matters using microorganisms without oxygen or under anaerobic conditions. This process involves the participation of multiple bacteria who will transform together the organic waste in biogas.
The biogas is composed of 2/3 methane CH4 and around 1/3 of CO2 and small amount of other gas. The anaerobic bacteria are organisms from the prehistoric period where they developed when the atmosphere on earth didn`t have oxygen. If we consider all types of material with the exception of the lignine, the strong component of the wood, these bacteria can decompose and transform most of biogen matters. The most important part of the energy coming from the decomposition is included in the methane. The bacteria don`t have too much energy for their development and reproduction. The methanization in comparison with the compost process won`t generate extra heat energy.
In opposition to compost process where primitive mushrooms and other low organisms participate to the decomposition of organic wastes, the methanization or anaerobic digestion is a process exclusively done with bacteria. The anaerobic bacteria can live easily in water or humid environment. This is why the decomposition in anaerobic processes is favorable for humid matters easy to degrade. Biomethanization is the best way to treat sorted organic wastes from the source.
Other than the solid biogen wastes, loaded effluents of organic pollution coming from the industry are very good for decomposition by methanization. The anaerobic treatment is, most of the time, characterized, not only by a very positive energy production but will also present an important advantage in generating much less biomass bacteria meaning less solid waste. In agriculture, methanization will not only generate energy but also create good fertilizer for the farm. The biomethanization is economically very interesting for installation that can treat a combination of manures and other wastes like vegetables, wastes from animal bodies, etc.
