Improve Your Biogas Process With Accurate Measurement & Control

The Flammable Nature Of Methane

In biogas production plants, there are several areas where monitoring methane levels is crucial. For safety and environmental purposes, methane sensors are required throughout the plant to check for unwanted leaks. The concentration of CH₄ in a working plant at the fermenter varies between 50%-75%, which is well above the Upper Explosive Limit (UEL) with the remaining gas being mostly CO₂ and Nitrogen. Due to the flammable nature of Methane (CH₄), the risk of asphyxiation from CO₂ and the risk of poisoning by H₂S, most plants also feature ambient air monitoring to protect personnel from any unplanned accumulation of leaked gas.

Failure To Make Productive Use Of Methane

Methane’s lifetime in the atmosphere is much shorter than carbon dioxide, it is more efficient at trapping radiation. Pound for pound, the comparative impact of methane on climate change is over 20 times greater than carbon dioxide. Instead of allowing it to be discharged into the air, it is important to take advantage of its potential as an excellent fuel. Failure to make productive use of methane is a waste in terms of both nature and economic resources.

Continuous Real-Time Indicator

Monitoring the methane : carbon dioxide ratio, the plant operator is provided with a continuous real-time indicator of digester behavior and with the status of the digester’s microorganisms.

Adjust Loading Rate & Feedstock 

The methane and carbon dioxide data information can be used by the operator to adjust loading rate and feedstock type, if possible, in order to improve the status of the bacteria.

Optimize Engine Performance

Where an engine is using biogas, the measurements can be used to optimize engine performance.

Biomethane Upgrading
Process

Where the biogas is being refined for injection into the grid, the data can be used to inform the biomethane upgrading process.

Reduce Costly Laboratory Analysis

Can provide an accurate indication of process conditions. In-line monitoring of biogas methane and carbon dioxide therefore helps to reduce the requirement for costly laboratory analysis.