Novilla RNG has completed and commissioned a new renewable natural gas (RNG) facility in northern Vermont, strengthening its efforts to convert dairy farm waste into clean energy while reducing dependence on fossil-based natural gas.
The Bellevue RNG facility was delivered through a partnership between Mayekawa USA Inc. and Unconventional Gas Solutions (UGS). The project marks the seventh biogas upgrading system supplied to Novilla-operated RNG projects by the two companies over the past three years, Biomass Magazine reported.
The facility is designed to process raw biogas generated from dairy farm digesters and upgrade it into renewable natural gas suitable for pipeline use. The system utilizes UGS gas upgrading technology powered by MYCOM two-stage compressors, which are specially designed to operate in environments containing high levels of hydrogen sulfide.
According to Novilla RNG, the technology allows raw biogas to be processed without extensive pretreatment, helping reduce operating costs. Company officials said the system eliminates the need for certain hydrogen sulfide removal processes, resulting in substantial annual savings.
The raw biogas entering the system contains between 53 and 58 percent methane, 42 to 47 percent carbon dioxide, and approximately 3,000 parts per million of hydrogen sulfide. The compressors regulate pressure inside the digester, move the gas through the upgrading process and increase pressure to approximately 180 PSI.
UGS officials said the equipment was selected for its ability to operate reliably in highly corrosive conditions while maintaining energy efficiency and reducing operating expenses. Based on previous installations using the same configuration, the company expects system availability to exceed 99 percent.
Located in Berkshire, Vermont, the new plant processes dairy manure through anaerobic digestion, producing biogas that is subsequently upgraded to meet pipeline-quality standards. The facility is expected to offset approximately 110,000 MMBtu of fossil-based natural gas imports annually in Vermont.
Mayekawa USA said the project demonstrates the role of efficient and reliable compression technology in supporting renewable energy production. The company noted that Novilla’s facilities have consistently achieved high operational performance while lowering operating costs and producing renewable natural gas that meets market requirements.
The latest project further expands renewable energy generation from agricultural waste and highlights the growing role of dairy-based biogas systems in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting cleaner energy supplies.
