Biogas and Biomethane
Biogas is produced by anaerobic digestion, a natural process where plant and animal materials (biomass) are broken down by micro-organisms in the absence of air. Initially the biomass is placed into sealed tanks known as digesters. Naturally occurring micro-organisms digest the organic material, releasing a gas in methane. It is this which is known as biogas. The left over material is rich in nutrients and is therefore often used to make fertiliser. Many forms of biomass are suitable for anaerobic digestion, including: food waste: Farm Slurry and manure, as well as crops and crop residues. As a result initial biogas can have a large array of minor constituents which are normally viewed as unwanted contaminants that are best removed. The biogas can also be filtered to produce relatively pure methane often called biomethane. The purified biomethane can then be injected into the UK gas grid network or used to fuel vehicles.
Biogas and Biomethane Analysis
To determine the full composition of biogas and biomethane the following analysis is often requested. Scienco have a full sampling and analysis service available for all of the components listed.
- Bulk Gases including Hydrogen
- Total Sulphur
- Organic Halides
- Hydrogen Fluoride & Chloride
- Siloxanes
- Mercury & Arsenic
- Ammonia
- VOC’s (Terpenes, Aldehydes, Ketones, Xylene and Alcohols)
- Micro organisms
- Water and Hydrocarbon Dewpoint