Stationary Biogas Monitoring Systems
In general, a large variety of devices can be applied for measuring biogas production but in practice, as biogas is of variable gas composition, dirty, corrosive, wet, and produced at low pressure, measuring biogas volume and composition accurately is one of the most challenging parameters at a biogas plant. In the long run not properly designed systems can pose considerable problems due to corrosion, fouling or general deterioration when measuring raw biogas.
AquaGas Pty Ltd introduces the OFCEAS technology and Proceas BioGas analyser designed by AP2e to address the analytical (online monitoring of biogas primary constituents) and operational (zero drift, minimum maintenance, no consumable, autonomous operation) biogas plants and methanation process monitoring requirements.
The ProCeas BioGas analyser features two patented technologies:
- The OFCEAS IR Laser technology for enhanced specificity, selectivity, accuracy and stability (no instrumental response drift.): The OFCEAS is a self-referencing spectrometer. This means that there is no need to re-analyse a zero and/or a span gas on a regular basis. The “zero” information is contained in the direct measurement spectrum while the “span” information is intrinsic to the analyser (pre-calibrated with 4 OD linear response).
- The Low Pressure Sampling (LPS) system enabling low-cost installation thank to non-heated lines and reduced maintenance. Lowering the pressure of a gas sample reduces the bandwidth of the absorbance bands. At atmospheric pressure, simultaneous measurement of H2S (ppm’s) in presence of CO2 (10’s %), CH4 (10’s %) can be tainted by cross response / false positive due to spectral overlapping of CO2 and CH4 bands with H2S information. If operating at 100 mbar, all absorption bands have narrowed down to the point where there is no spectral overlap of the absorption bands. Cross response have been eliminated.
When sampling gas from landfill, anaerobic digestion/bacteria and other fermentation processes, the use of a dedicated sampling system is necessary to ensure a specific sample preparation and to preserve your monitoring equipment. Another advantage of the LPS System is the ability to reduce the sample dew point (vapour pressure) to prevent the risk of condensation. The sample extraction is achieved by the use of a sonic nozzle. The sample is taken at a very low pressure (50 to 200 mbar abs, 100mbar nominal). At 100 mbar abs. the ambient temperature is almost always above the dew point eliminating the risk of condensation.
- No heated line required to eliminate condensation: low power consumption, no related ongoing maintenance
- Sample does not need to be treated – True Direct Extractive CEMS and Process analyser
- No risk of absorption/desorption
The ProCeas offers sampling solutions tailored to the needs of the biogas production industry with automated sampling sequences and multipoint monitoring enabling fast, accurate and detailed analysis at various location with a single instrument: Raw biogas (1), processed biomethane (2), vented biogas (3) and stack emissions (4).
The Proceas Biogas Monitoring System is a cost effective online monitoring solution offering application specific features including:
- Field proven technologies in the Biogas production industry
- Simultaneous measurement of all primary constituents of Biogas
- Fully automated standalone system (automatic calibration and sampling sequences)
- Low Pressure Sampling (no sample condensation)
- Deep particulate filtration
- PFA and PTFE gas path (essential to avoid loss of components of interest)
- Fast, accurate and reliable online analysis
- No drift or deviation therefore minimal calibration requirements
- Low-maintenance and user friendly system
- Site specific sampling solutions
The ProCeas analysers are manufactured and pre-calibrated by AP2e in France. The systems are built, integrated and tested in Australia by AquaGas. Standard systems are delivered fully integrated in a 19 inch rack suitable for installation in industrial settings (indoor 15-35C). For installation in hazardous area the BioGas Monitoring System is available in ATEX certified version.