How Blackmer Compressors Support Green Energy and Biogas Recovery
Presented by Industrial Air Services – Supplying Blackmer gas compressor solutions across Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga for biogas, renewable fuels, and landfill recovery systems. Call (615) 641-3100 for support with your sustainable gas compression project.
As industries and municipalities seek cleaner, more sustainable energy sources, biogas and renewable natural gas (RNG) have emerged as powerful tools in the green energy transition. Derived from organic waste, agricultural byproducts, and landfill emissions, biogas is both environmentally responsible and financially viable—but it can only be monetized when captured, processed, and compressed efficiently.
That’s where Blackmer reciprocating compressors come in.
From anaerobic digesters to landfill gas skids, Blackmer’s oil-free compressors—particularly the NG Series—are used to safely move, condition, and recover biogas at every stage of the process. Backed by local support from Industrial Air Services, these systems are helping facilities across the Southeast turn waste into clean, renewable power.
What Is Biogas and Why Does It Need Compression?
Biogas is produced when organic material breaks down in the absence of oxygen—a process known as anaerobic digestion. It is commonly generated at:
Municipal wastewater treatment plants
Landfills
Agricultural digesters (manure, crop waste)
Food processing plants
The resulting gas is a mixture of:
Methane (CH₄) – the energy-rich component
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) – which must often be removed or separated
Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) – corrosive and toxic at high levels
Moisture, siloxanes, and trace organics
Because raw biogas is low-pressure and may contain contaminants, compression is required to:
Push gas through scrubbers or filters
Feed gas into engines, turbines, or flare systems
Store or inject RNG into pipelines
Transfer gas between digesters and processing units
Recover vapors from digestate or headspace areas
Why Blackmer Compressors Are Ideal for Biogas
Not all compressors can safely handle biogas. Blackmer’s NG Series is designed specifically for challenging gas environments, including those with moisture, particulates, and trace chemicals. They’re commonly used in:
Renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading facilities
Landfill gas collection skids
Farm-based biodigesters
Waste-to-energy plants
Key Benefits of Blackmer Compressors in Biogas Applications:
Oil-Free Operation
The NG Series uses dry-running pistons and distance-piece designs, eliminating the risk of oil contamination in gas streams. This is critical for pipeline injection or fuel-grade RNG.
Gas-Tight Construction
Dual-seal rod packing and full compartment distance pieces ensure maximum containment—even for sour gas or VOCs—keeping emissions under control and systems safe.
Corrosion-Resistant Materials
Available in ductile iron, stainless steel, or custom coatings to withstand acidic gases (like H₂S) and harsh environmental conditions.
High Efficiency at Low Pressure
Perfect for boosting biogas from low-pressure digesters to processing units or flare systems, even when suction pressure fluctuates.
Explosion-Proof and Hazardous Area Ratings
Blackmer compressors can be packaged with Class I, Div 1 explosion-proof motors, panels, and sensors, making them suitable for use in classified environments.
Common Biogas Uses for Blackmer Compressors
1. Landfill Gas Collection Systems
Compressors draw gas from wellheads or vents into a central flare or power generation system. Blackmer’s NGH compressors are compact and ideal for continuous duty at these sites.
2. Farm-Based Digesters
Rural biogas projects benefit from rugged compressors that can handle fluctuating feedstock and pressure levels. NG compressors provide a stable gas supply to generators or pipeline systems.
3. Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) Plants
To meet pipeline specs, raw biogas must be cleaned, dried, and compressed. Blackmer compressors support each stage, from raw gas transfer to final compression before injection.
4. Food and Beverage Processing
Facilities producing high-BOD wastewater often use anaerobic digestion. Blackmer compressors can move biogas through treatment systems while minimizing vented emissions.
Real-World Example: RNG Project in Middle Tennessee
A food waste-to-energy facility in Middle Tennessee was developing a new RNG plant and needed a compressor capable of handling moist, low-pressure methane from their digester system. They designed a solution around a Blackmer NGH3 compressor with:
Stainless steel internals for H₂S resistance
Variable speed drive for fluctuating flow rates
Explosion-proof motor and controls
Remote monitoring capabilities
Results:
Methane purity of 97% for pipeline injection
Consistent compressor uptime with minimal maintenance
Qualifying performance for federal renewable fuel credits
Payback in under 18 months from gas sales and tax incentives
Environmental and Economic Impact
By using Blackmer compressors in biogas recovery systems, operators can:
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions (methane is 84x more potent than CO₂)
Generate carbon credits or Renewable Identification Numbers (RINs)
Qualify for state and federal renewable energy grants
Reduce flare losses and odor complaints
Improve site sustainability and public image
Why Work With Industrial Air Services?
Green energy systems aren’t one-size-fits-all. Each project has unique gas conditions, flow requirements, and environmental regulations. That’s why Industrial Air Services provides:
Custom compressor sizing and selection
OEM parts and startup services
On-site visits and layout support
Control panel and VFD integration
Emergency service and maintenance programs
Compliance documentation and engineering data
We serve projects across Tennessee and the Southeast with boots-on-the-ground knowledge and a full Blackmer support network.
Ready to Power Your Project with Biogas?
If you’re planning or expanding a biogas, RNG, or landfill gas project, let Industrial Air Services help you design a system that’s safe, efficient, and built for long-term success. Blackmer’s reciprocating gas compressors are trusted around the world—and we’re here to bring that reliability to your site.
Call (615) 641-3100 to request a consultation, quote, or site visit today. Together, we can turn waste into power—and power into profit.
