Biomethane Liquefaction: From Renewable Gas to BioLNG

How it works

What is biomethane liquefaction?

Biomethane liquefaction cools appropriately purified biomethane into a cryogenic liquid for storage or transport. It follows biogas cleaning and upgrading; liquefaction does not itself turn raw biogas into biomethane. Project feasibility depends on gas quality, plant scale, parasitic electricity, storage, transport distance and reliable demand.

1. Produce and clean raw biogas

   Collect gas from a suitable source and address sulphur compounds, moisture, particulates and other trace impurities.

2. Upgrade to biomethane

   Remove sufficient CO₂ and other gases to reach the proposed liquefaction-system specification.

3. Polish and dry

   Verify the final gas quality, including substances that could freeze or damage cryogenic equipment.

4. Liquefy and store

   Use an engineered refrigeration process and insulated tanks, with appropriate boil-off gas handling and safety systems.

5. Deliver and use

   Match loading, road logistics, storage and vaporisation or vehicle-fuelling requirements to the selected buyer.

Why this technology matters

A biogas facility can produce renewable gas without being connected to a gas transmission or distribution network. Liquefying biomethane may create an alternative delivery route to energy buyers who can accept liquid fuel. But refrigeration, storage, boil-off management, transport and end-use equipment add technical and commercial requirements beyond conventional gas upgrading.

Feedstocks and project suitability

Biomethane liquefaction can suit projects with sufficient, stable upgrading throughput and buyers whose demand justifies cryogenic logistics. A smaller farm may be more suited to co-location with other suppliers or a different output pathway. Existing gas infrastructure, distance to an LNG-compatible user, transport regulation and load consistency materially influence the choice.

Equipment and configuration options

Gas-to-Liquid Pathway & Logistics Comparator

Indicative screening only. Sizing and cost need engineering data.

What to consider in Australia

Australia’s long distances can make virtual-pipeline concepts worth comparing, but a liquefaction plant requires engineering, gas quality controls, hazardous-area management and logistics verification. Compare a regional hub with alternatives such as direct industrial use, CHP or gas-grid injection where feasible. Do not infer a guaranteed BioLNG market price from fossil LNG benchmarks.

Commercial feasibility

Build a comparison of biomethane supply cost, upgrading and polishing, liquefaction electricity, boil-off management, storage, tanker transport, buyer interface and any contractual quality requirements. Avoid presenting bio-LNG and gaseous biomethane as simultaneously saleable from the same allocated methane stream. Pricing must identify whether it is a verified sale price, a related benchmark or an approved scenario assumption.

Explore related technologies and outputs

Frequently asked questions

What is BioLNG?

BioLNG is liquefied biomethane produced from renewable biological feedstocks. It differs from raw biogas, which must be cleaned and upgraded before suitable liquefaction.

Does liquefaction increase the amount of methane produced?

No. Liquefaction changes the physical state of suitable biomethane; it does not create additional methane. The process uses energy and may involve losses.

Can BioLNG be transported without a gas pipeline?

Yes, purpose-built cryogenic storage and tanker logistics can transport liquid biomethane, subject to transport safety, receiving infrastructure and commercial suitability.

Is BioLNG the same as fossil LNG?

Both are liquefied methane-based fuels, but they differ in feedstock origin and may differ in certification, lifecycle emissions and supply-chain requirements.

When is a regional liquefaction hub useful?

A hub can be worth testing when multiple supply points or buyers create scale advantages, provided collection, transport and throughput economics support the design.

Does every biogas plant need liquefaction?

No. Direct heat, CHP, upgrading for gaseous use or grid injection may be more suitable depending on the resource, scale, site and demand.

Sources & References

References support the general technology description. Shelby model outputs, installed costs, price assumptions and regulatory applicability require separate evidence and validation. Do not represent sources as project-specific engineering approval.

Have a feedstock, facility or energy requirement to assess?

Understanding a process is the first step. Shelby helps structure a resource or energy requirement, explore technically relevant pathways and move towards an evidence-based project assessment. Generate a personalised pathway to register the opportunity privately for Shelby review and potential regional hub matching. No public listing or third-party introduction occurs without the user’s consent and the applicable Shelby review.

Connected technologies

Explore the next part of your pathway