Biogas Monitoring and Analysis

Biogas Production and Anaerobic Digestion

Many organic materials can be converted from solid or liquid form to a mix of gases by introducing the correct bacteria and creating the optimum growth conditions. This process is very similar to that of an animals digestive system and so the the most common method of producing Biogas is that of anaerobic digestion.

The term anaerobic indicates the absence of oxygen in the process which is done deliberately because the optimum production of Biogas is achieved by bacteria that best multiply in these conditions. The process will also be maintained at a temperature of 35 celcius which is no coincidence that it is recognisable as typical normal body temperature for warm blooded animals who depend upon bacterial activity to break down food for nutrition.

Monitoring and Analysis Instrumentation

Optimisation of these installations is critical and Gas Data has a number of Biogas monitoring and analysis instruments that are ideal for this job such as the GFM410 and GFM416 handheld gas analysers.

In particular the GFM416 is optimised for biogas analysis giving accurate on site analysis of methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and Oxygen (O₂) with user specified options for the analysis of other minor constituents such as ammonia (NH₃) and Hydrogen (H₂). Other parameters on the plant can also be measured using this instrument such as temperature, gas pressure and gas flow rates. View the GFM416 specification sheet

Where the data must be gathered continually and be used to control the plant by direct connection then the Gas Data LMSp fixed position analysers are ideal. Being capable of the same broad range of measurement parameters but enclosed in IP65 cabinets and incorporating a gas sampling system to be sure the gas is analysed accurately and reliably 24 hours a day. Signals are taken from the LMSp using industry standard 4-20 mA signals or a serial data bus such as PROFIBUS or MODUS. Remote telemetry is also commonplace.

Discover more about our biogas monitoring and equipment by calling our expert technical sales team today on +44(0) 247 630 3311 or via email: enquiries@gasdata.co.uk.