Anaerobic digestion developers specify biogas analyser accuracy

At its anaerobic digestion facility in Wilton, Redcar, the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) has an open-access lab and pilot scale facility designed to help organisations of all sizes. CPI required a gas analyser to allow accurate scientific measurement of gas composition from its pilot scale test centre digesters and selected a Geotech AEMS biogas analyser.

CPI allows organisations of all sizes to de-risk projects before investing in anaerobic digestion infrastructure. Technology and feedstocks can be appraised for biogas yield in a controlled and scientific environment. The Geotech AEMS biogas analyser enables CPI to accurately measure key data on biogas composition, including methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2) and hydrogen sulphide (H2S).

CPI is delivering a range of scientific AD projects for both the public and private sectors. It is pushing the boundaries of technologies and feedstocks to enhance and optimise AD. CPI, an Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) member, is a testing and development centre operating at both laboratory and pilot scale. The facility includes the capability to benchmark novel technologies or process methods against a standard operating, pilot scale vertical digester, also within CPI’s AD facilities. Currently, CPI is testing novel AD technologies using feedstocks which include silage, food wastes, dairy slurry and industrial wastes. It combines vertical, horizontal and novel third-generation digester technologies (at pilot scale) with state-of-the-art supporting infrastructure, including a dedicated anaerobic digestion laboratory for feedstock testing. Its markets include water treatment, food processing and agriculture.

Commenting on the biogas analyser, Steven Broome at CPI, said, “The analyser has allowed our scientists to quickly and accurately appraise the quality and composition of biogas being produced from novel feedstock and technology combinations. In the right context, this can provide our clients with a key piece of information from both a commercial and scientific perspective.”

The AEMS biogas analyser from Geotech, also an ADBA member, is a fixed position automated extraction monitoring system for AD biogas and landfill gas, enabling round-the-clock analysis and monitoring. It offers remote monitoring for CH4, CO2, O2 and H2S and uses robust, reliable, field-proven technology. Used successfully on landfill and AD projects worldwide, including CDM projects and energy generation projects, the Geotech AEMS analyser has also been selected by other anaerobic digestion research facilities for its accuracy, reliability and because it can easily be integrated with onsite control equipment to help maximise project success. More: www.geotechuk.com

GA3000 PLUS news!
Newly announced by Geotech is the fixed-position, user-installed biogas analyser, the GA3000 PLUS. It can now optionally monitor up to three sample points and H2S levels at 0-50 and 0-10,000 ppm. As before, it analyses CH4, CO2 and O2. The new developments, as options, enhance the already widely used ATEX Zone 2 certified GA3000 for landfill gas and AD biogas analysis.

Multi-sample point biogas analysis
With three sample points, AD operators can measure gas quality from more than one digester to check output from each before the gas is mixed and then check mixed gas before it goes to the CHP engine. Tracking production at source can help improve output and spot problems early. Landfill operators can measure different gas field sections before the gas is mixed. By measuring the mixed gas going to CHP and to flare, operators can control both. Thus with multi-point sampling, operators achieve more analysis from one static analyser giving even better value. A 4-20mA output for each gas is standard as is MODBUS digital output, allowing communication with SCADA systems. Alarm relays are user configurable.