Generating biogas is the same as brewing good quality beer, says ADBA member Gas Data

ADBA MEMBER PRESS RELEASE

How can a premium choice beer fall into the same bracket as a smelly gas that is produced from decomposing organic material?

The answer is simple; if you want consistent revenue from anaerobic digestion then, your mix of gases has got to be correct, just as the right mix of good quality ingredients will ensure a profitable and quality ale.

With most commercial AD plants, biogas produced from the anaerobic digestion process is used to power combined heat and power engines (CHPs) that in turn generate electricity to sell to the grid. For CHPs to be producing their maximum output (electrical power), their input needs a good balance of methane (60%) and carbon dioxide (40%), a touch of oxygen. Just like selecting the malt and hops for brewing.

With the FIT and ROC tariffs being reviewed in light of new tariff bands being set later in the year and the early part of 2013, it is of utmost importance that sites that are producing biogas are getting the quality right from day one. If not, it will cost them money.

Derrick Timms, sales manager, Gas Data says:

Analysing biogas is a really simple process that allows you to make judgements on a number of parameters and most importantly the quality of the biogas, which in turn will directly affect whether your site is being profitable or not. A bit like sampling beer in the brewing process – albeit not quite as enjoyable!

 

Analysing biogas quality in this industry is of great importance at the present time with tariffs changing but also with more biogas to gas grid projects coming to light in the future.

Even though beer and biogas may be leagues apart, the principles of getting a top quality product are the same. Cheers!