# Biogas and biomethane: Characteristics

What turns raw biogas into a sellable fuel

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/characteristics/

What this tab covers The physical and chemical properties that set its grade, price and uses, with the commercial grades and the standards that define them.

Raw biogas is 50-65% methane with CO2, water and H2S. Its commercial value depends on upgrading to grid or vehicle quality, measured by methane content, Wobbe index and contaminants.

#### Properties that matter commercially

| Property | Value / specification | Why it matters | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Methane content** | raw biogas 50-65%; CBG at least 90% CH4 (IS 16087, indicative); grid biomethane usually 95-98% (indicative) | sets energy value and engine compatibility | indicative |
| **Hydrogen sulphide** | CBG at most about 16 mg/m3 (IS 16087, indicative) | corrodes engines and pipelines | indicative |
| **Energy content** | about 50 MJ/kg methane; about 10.5 MWh per 1,000 m3 (indicative) | used for unit conversion and pricing | indicative |
| **Siloxanes and oxygen** | limited by EN 16723 in Europe (indicative) | siloxanes from sewage and landfill gas damage engines | indicative |

#### Commercial grades

- Raw biogas (power and heat)
- Grid biomethane (EN 16723-1)
- Vehicle biomethane, bio-CNG and CBG (EN 16723-2, IS 16087)
- Bio-LNG

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/index.md)
- [Energy overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/energy/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/correlation/index.md)
- [Efficiency](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/efficiency/index.md)
- [Techniques](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/techniques/index.md)
- [Resources and labour](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/resources/index.md)
- [Impact on the biosphere](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/biosphere/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/overview/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/regulation/index.md)
- [Emissions](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/emissions/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biomethane/links/index.md)