Conceptual schematic for capture of biomethane released from hydroelectric power facilities

Though dam-related biomethane was identified in the 1960s, its capture has not been sufficiently discussed. Captured biomethane could be burned to produce energy, and the burning of biomethane turns the carbon in it into CO2 that is far less potent as a greenhouse gas; this paper therefore aims to technically discuss the capture/use of dam-related biomethane. A great amount of bubbles would be formed by the rapid drop in water pressure (i.e. cavitation) after turbine passage, so it is proposed to capture methane-bearing bubbles by means of a flow tube for adjusting residence time and hydrophilic screens for trapping these bubbles. The results from the performed calculation show that biomethane can be trapped in a yield of 60%.