Reported scientific interest in the manufacturing of gas produced by the natural decomposition of organic matter dates from the 17th century, when Robert Boyle (1627-1691) and Stephen Hales (1677-1761) noted that disturbing the sediment of streams and lakes released flammable gas.
O interese científico na produción de gas a partir da descomposición natural de materia orgánica data do século XVII, cando Robert Boyle (1627-1691) e Stephen Hales (1677-1761) se decataron de que os sedimentos removidos en correntes de auga e lagos liberaban gas inflamable.