Quantum Fuel collaborates with QBI on California biogas project

Alternative fuel systems provider Quantum Fuel Systems has partnered with Quantitative BioSciences (QBI) on a new dairy biogas project in Modesto, California.

Under the agreement, QBI will purchase Quantum’s newest ten Virtual Pipeline trailers for use in the biogas facility, which has received funding from the California Energy Commission.

The project is being developed under a partnership between QBI and Fiscalini Cheese Company, and will result in the construction of a biofuels production facility to purify and compress biomethane from anaerobic digesters into fuel for vehicles.

According the Quantum, the project will aim to produce 450 diesel gallon equivalent on CNG per day.

“We are going to be producing enough fuel for 10-20 trucks per day, and we were looking for a way to get this fuel to a local CNG fleet via a virtual pipeline,” said Natalie Cookson, CEO of QBI. “Quantum’s trailers provided the perfect solution. As California faces increasing strains on both our finite energy resources and limited water supplies, we are hoping to demonstrate ways in which a farm can maximise its resources and become increasingly self-sufficient. Our forward-thinking partners at Fiscalini Cheese Company are very excited to serve as the demonstration site for this “farm of the future” concept.”

“We are excited to provide a way for captured biomethane to be easily stored and transported,” added Mark Arold, president of Quantum. “There is an abundance of dairy waste producing biomethane on farms all over the country. As more farms realise the benefits of capturing and selling this gas as fuel, our trailers will help bring more Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) to market.”

Quantum’s modular container weighs less than 9,000 pounds when empty and has a capacity of approximately 83,635 standard cubic feet. It is equipped with up to eight Type 4 CNG tanks.