Biogas Focus - Air Monitoring


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Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion of biodegradable materials


application because it samples at high temperatures (above 180 Deg C) so formaldehyde cannot dissolve in condensate, and the instrument provides sensitive, accurate, reliable real-time formaldehyde measurements – no other portable analyser is able to achieve this.


“Importantly, the DX4000 is also robust and weighing just 14kg, it is easy to transport from site to site. In addition to a heated sample line, the only other accessory is a laptop running Gasmet’s Calcmet™ software.”


In contrast with the portable FTIR, it is typical for the results of laboratory gas analysis to become available around 2 weeks after sampling. This highlights a further benefit of the direct- reading instrument; real-time results enable plant managers to adjust their process in order to improve efficiency and minimise the emissions of formaldehyde and other gases.


Ansyco’s Gerhard Zwick says: “We hope that the other measurements that are possible with the Gasmet FTIR will also soon be accepted. A new VDI method (VDI 3862-8) for the measurement of formaldehyde by FTIR is being established and this is likely to be published at the beginning of 2014.


Test site for the VDI formaldehyde monitoring method


“The preparation of this standard involved rigorous field tests with 5 Gasmet FTIR analysers at a live biogas plant. During testing, samples were taken for analysis according to the existing standard laboratory methods and the results showed that portable FTIR produced even better results than lab analysis.”


Germany’s Formaldehyde Reduction Incentive


The bonus is paid to the operators of biogas plants which are subject to approval by the Federal Immission Control Act if certain conditions are met. Measurements to demonstrate the effectiveness of emission reduction have be taken each year by an organisation which is approved according to § 26 of the Act.


While the emission limit for formaldehyde is 60 mg/m3 ,


according to the EEG legislative, the plant operator receives a bonus of 1 cent per kW when formaldehyde emission levels are below 40 mg/m3


, with simultaneous fulfilment of the emission


limits for nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide (combined), and for carbon monoxide.


An important benefit of real-time readings from Gasmet’s


portable FTIR analysers is that plant operators are able to adjust the process and view the effects of these adjustments on formaldehyde emissions. However, this may also affect the efficiency of the combustion process or the concentrations of other limited gases. In addition, it is now commonplace for modern plants to use a catalyst for formaldehyde emission reduction.


Summarising Gerhard Zwick says: “The standard formaldehyde emissions monitoring package consists of a Gasmet DX4000 analyser and a heated sampling system, so no adaptations were necessary for the measurement of biogas emissions.


“We have now supplied instruments to most of the key testing organisations as well as motor and system manufacturers in Germany. Happily, the feedback has been extremely positive because, as a portable analyser, the Gasmet FTIR systems are able to test more plants, more quickly, and this lowers costs.”


Further information and an update on the progress of the monitoring Standard referred to above, will be provided by Antti Heikkilä from Gasmet in his paper: ‘Periodic formaldehyde monitoring at biogas plants using FTIR gas analysis’ at CEM 2014 in Istanbul, 14th – 16th May 2014.


Biogas Always Under Control


KROHNE (Germany) introduces OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas as dedicated flowmeter for biogas applications. The device is a specialised version of the OPTISONIC 7300 ultrasonic gas flowmeter for process gas applications.


challenged by high damping of the acoustic signals by CO2


Various flow measurement principles have been tested in these applications: while DP flowmeters (orifice plates) are not used due to the high pressure drop provided, Vortex flowmeters struggle with very low pressures and flow velocities, and thermal mass flowmeters are limited when water is present in the gas. Although ultrasonic is the only principle that is able to measure backflow, ultrasonic flowmeters are and high water content. In combination with a high price in relation to the


other principles this has limited their use for biogas so far. OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas features a maintenance-free full bore flow sensor without any moving parts. As H2


S provides a corrosive


solution when dissolved in water, the measuring tube is made of stainless steel 1.4404/316L and transducers are made of NACE- approved grade 29 Titanium for maximum corrosion resistance. OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas is equipped with lap joint flanges to lower its overall weight as biogas does not present high pressures and sometimes only plastic piping is used.


OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas features a built-in temperature sensor that in combination with the measured velocity of sound, enables direct measurement of methane content via calculation of the molar mass. OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas can also provide calculation of gas flow volume to standard conditions by using an additional pressure sensor. The electronics also include diagnostics to validate the functions of the flowmeter and the process. For output of the measured values, 4…20mA and pulse outputs are available. HART and Modbus (optional) are included for field communication.


OPTISONIC 7300 Biogas is certified for use in explosive areas (zone 1). As in general no pressure drop is allowed in biogas pipelines, the device is available in common line sizes DN50, 80, 100, 150, 200 / 2, 3, 4, 6 and 8”.


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: email:


29331pr@reply-direct.com Fixed Biogas and Landfill Gas Analyser


The SWG200 BIOGAS from Eurotron Instruments (UK) is a purpose made fixed gas analyser for continuous monitoring of 02


, CO2


to 4 sampling points and dual H2 sensors (low H2S and high H2


, CH4 S S) for the monitoring of raw and processed biogas.


It features an advanced integrated gas preparation system, including a peltier gas cooler and condensate removal pump, along with line filters.


The SWG200 BIOGAS provides 8x 4-20mA analogue outputs which are individually configurable, as well as modbus and optional profibus outputs. There are also 3 relay contact alarms (1 system, 2 x user configurable). The SWG200 keeps the 4-20 mA output signal “on hold” during auto zero and when in service and calibration mode to avoid engine disruption.


The unit is suitable for use with landfill gas or biogas generated from AD plants , water treatment works , food waste etc. 29265pr@reply-direct.com


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: and H2 S in biogas applications. It can be configured with up


Rugged and Portable Biogas Analysers for Pure and Mixed Stream Applications


Biogas is considered a renewable and sustainable energy source, and therefore it is of great interest worldwide. Biogas analysis depends largely upon its composition; that differs with the origin of the organic material used for the anaerobic digestion. The increased interest in biogas has resulted in a growing demand for fast and efficient analysis technology to determine its composition. Agilent Technologies (Netherlands) is therefore pleased to introduce 2 new compact and portable biogas analysers, capable of playing a significant role in achieving this goal.


The Agilent 490 Micro GC Biogas Analyzer is for pure biogas analysis, including permanent gases and hydrogen sulphide – even ethane and propane can be analysed with this dual channel cabinet setup, which includes a 10-meter CP-Molsieve 5A for excellent sensitivity and linearity for hydrogen, as well as a 10-meter PoraPLOT U column channel with helium as a carrier gas.


The Agilent 490 Micro GC Biogas Analyzer Extended is designed for use when the biogas is mixed with other hydrocarbon streams, such as natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which results in the sample containing higher boiling hydrocarbons. This Biogas Analyzer Extended is a quad channel cabinet Micro GC, including three column channels; a 10-meter CP-Molsieve column on argon as a carrier gas, 10-meter CP- PoraPLOT U and an additional 6-meter C-Sil 5 CB column for the analysis of higher boiling hydrocarbons.


Both of the Micro GC Biogas Analyzers are factory tuned, including the appropriate settings for the backflush times for the CP-Molsieve 5A and CP-PoraPLOT U columns, and are shipped with final test data, optimised analytical method, user manual and check out sample kit, so the user has all the information available at installation. For field testing, Agilent provides a rugged, portable fieldcase with integrated rechargeable batteries and gas canisters to analyse anytime, anywhere you need it.


For More Info, email: email:


For More Info, email: email:


29330pr@reply-direct.com www.envirotech-online.com IET March / April 2014


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