Analysis procedure for biogas substrates is developed

Even traces of these substances are detrimental to the bacteria in the digester and thus counterproductive to the digestion process. Therefore, it is absolutely necessary to identify such inhibitors before transferring the substances into the digester.

Since December 2016, WELTEC has been involved in a research project to establish a new procedure that will solve this problem. The project is subsidised by the German Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL) via Fachagentur Nachwachsende Rohstoffe (Agency for renewable resources). In collaboration with HAWK, the Göttingen University of Applied Sciences and Art, WELTEC is developing a quick, reliable and inexpensive procedure for identifying inhibitors in input substances.

For this, various feedstocks are first examined in the WELTEC lab in Vechta and at HAWK in Göttingen with the help of the Ankom system. This system delivers precise information on the gas production. Moreover, the change of the acid spectrum is monitored while deliberately adding inhibitors. The resulting target curves will henceforth be compared with the gas production curves of substrates. This comparison is to reveal whether the substrate contains any inhibitors. Previously, the aerobic four-plate inhibitor test used to be employed for identifying inhibitors. Actually, this test is designed for the dairy industry and does not reflect the conditions in the digester. Therefore, the test results are not as authoritative as required. With the new anaerobic procedure, results are to be available after three days. In this way, biogas plant operators will be able to determine the quality of their input materials precisely, speedily and inexpensively.

"The need and demand are on hand. Currently, there is no quick and reliable way to identify such potential process disruptions, though this would be vital to avoid unscheduled downtimes of biogas plants," explained Sabine Lampe, graduate biologist and supervisor of the research project at WELTEC BIOPOWER. This is what made WELTEC and HAWK initiate the project, in which the Fraunhofer UMSICHT Institute in Oberhausen and Berlin-based analytics specialist aokin are also involved.

"Based on this innovative procedure, biogas plant operators will be able to decide faster whether to buy offered silage or liquid manure or whether to use a certain batch of their own slurry," explained Sabine Lampe. She added that it would also be possible for substrate providers to use this quick test to furnish evidence of the quality of their product.

For this to be made possible, a quick test needs to be developed by experienced specialists. WELTEC BIOPOWER has run its lab in Vechta since 2009. In Vechta, the biologists and lab team can conduct all important analyses and regularly examine samples from more than 300 digesters. The biogas plant manufacturer is thus well equipped to assist plant operators in their daily operations, making sure that the biogas production remains on the success track.