Conditioning Your Biogas for Success
Biogas conditioning is a critical process for biogas management. Biogas primarily consists of methane and carbon dioxide, but may contain constituents of sulfur species, silicon species, and moisture. Some of these elements can damage end use equipment, be dangerous to human health, and pollute the environment at high concentrations.
Since biogas production is dependent on the varying organic loadings and temperatures of the anaerobic digestion (AD) system, a biogas conditioning system must be designed to remove the harmful constituents while maintaining a consistent flow, pressure, quality, or all three.
Options
Biogas conditioning technologies are generally grouped into categories based on the contaminant being removed. Figure 2 illustrates the recommended removal order of these technologies.
Figure 2
Recommended Removal Order
Particulate and Moisture Removal
Particulate and moisture removal and compression systems are typically packaged into a single skid since all biogas conditioning systems require them. Particulate removal is essential to protecting sensitive equipment downstream. A mesh gas filter with a pore size of 3 to 6 microns disperses the gas stream, causing any fine particulates to drop out. Moisture removal is accomplished by utilizing a gas-to-liquid heat exchanger that is cooled by a remotely installed chilling system. The gas temperature is reduced below the dew point as it passes through the heat exchanger, causing moisture to precipitate.
Hydrogen Sulfide Removal
Though the composition of biogas varies depending on the nature of the AD feedstock used, it generally contains moderate to high levels of hydrogen sulfide or siloxanes. Hydrogen sulfide levels below 300 ppm are typically not an issue for the desired end use of the biogas; however, local air regulations may necessitate its treatment. The wide variety of hydrogen sulfide removal systems can be grouped into three general categories:
- Media based
- Biological
- Chemical
Typically, these systems increase in cost and complexity with media systems being the simplest and cheapest with chemical systems being complex and expensive. Chemical and biological systems become more cost-effective as the hydrogen sulfide loading increases.
Figure 3
Comparison of Hydrogen Sulfide Removal Technologies
Siloxane Removal
Siloxanes are chemical compounds made of silicon and oxygen and are found in a variety of products ranging from personal care (e.g., hair shampoo) to lubricants and paints. Consequently, siloxanes can be found in the wastewater from industries making these products. Of even more concern, however, is the widespread presence of siloxanes in waste biosolids from public treatment plants, primarily related to the use of cosmetics. Siloxanes must be removed from biogas to realize long-term economic benefits. The most frequently applied technologies are:
- Activated carbon adsorption
- Activated alumina absorption
- Synthetic resin absorption
- Absorption by selective liquids
- Membrane technology
The technology best suited for an application depends on the type and amount of siloxanes, as detailed in the article “Making Sense of Siloxanes.” As a result, the sampling and testing of biogas for siloxanes is the most critical step in resolving such issues.
Conclusion
Biogas is an important form of renewable energy and its use is becoming more commonplace every day. The careful sampling and testing of a biogas stream is necessary to define the characteristics of the contaminants present. By relating this data to local air pollution and odor regulations and the potential use for the biogas, the type of conditioning technology best suited for your application can be determined. A simple preliminary engineering study can then identify the most cost-effective approach to successfully condition your biogas stream.
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