BIOGAS Emissions Monitoring with CAC GAS Specialty Gases

The environmental benefits of biogas technology are often highlighted as a valid and sustainable alternative to fossil fuels. Together with the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biogas can increase energy security as a reliable renewable energy source.

As a renewable energy source, it allows utilisation of agricultural by-products, municipal solid waste, and some industrial/commercial waste, resulting in a lower environmental impact when compared to combustion-based strategies.

The by-product of anaerobic digestion is a reliable material for agricultural uses, providing a nutrient-rich substance that can be used as a fertiliser. Biogas digesters also have the additional co-benefit of generating energy for lighting and heating. When biogas is cleaned and upgraded to biomethane, this can be used as a vehicle fuel, or injected into national natural gas grids. This provides greener power and reduces carbon in our atmosphere. 

Although a main objective of biogas industry is the reduction of fossil fuel consumption, with the final goal of mitigating climate change, anaerobic digestion produces several greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen sulphide. As a consequence, dedicated emissions monitoring should be undertaken.

The composition of biogas can be quite variable, often being corrosive, dirty, wet, and produced at low pressure. Due to this, measuring biogas composition accurately can be a challenge.

Biogas composition monitoring includes:

• CH₄ and H₂S measured during the methanation process to provide a good overall view of the performance of the degradation process and bacterial activity. A decrease in methane content can be a first sign of organic overload, provided that the feedstock mix has not recently changed.
• In all biogas production facilities, there is an H₂S removal system, (scavenger or H₂S scrubber). Monitoring the levels of H₂S at the inlet and outlet of the H₂S scrubber is paramount for evaluating scrubber efficiency and for adhering to environmental regulations.
• CH₄, H₂S, CO, CO₂ and O₂ Continuous Stack Emissions Monitoring required for environmental compliance.

But how do you know your monitoring equipment is actually monitoring your biogas emissions accurately? 

Gas analysers must be properly calibrated with the correct types and concentrations of calibration gases. If monitoring equipment is not properly calibrated, this will lead to inaccurate measurement and evaluation.

CAC Gas provides calibration gas for environmental monitoring and waste management processes as well as for gas detection, process gas analysis, and laboratory applications.

CAC Gas & Instrumentation manufacture, source, and supply specialty gas mixtures & gas control equipment for a wide range of applications whether you are operating an anaerobic digestion plant, managing a landfill site, or controlling a Biogas or Biomass project. As a total solution provider, CAC GAS supplies gas generators, mixers, calibrators along with a complete gas control product range including regulators, outlet panel, manifolds, and gas distribution systems. Specialty calibration gas mixtures come in multiple cylinder sizes to ensure customer requirements are achieved.

Having locations in both Sydney and Singapore, CAC Gas also has the logistic expertise to import and supply specialty gas mixtures globally.