Waste Recovery
• Ammonia . The nitrogen contained in biogas can be in the form of ammonia , which in turn can also inhibit or disrupt biogas production and form nitrogen oxides ( NOx ) during combustion .
• Other compounds that can cause corrosion problems :
° Halogenated hydrocarbons : chlorine and fluorine mainly .
° Volatile organic compounds : benzene , toluene , ethylbenzene and xylene , among others .
° Foams .
° Suspended particles .
° Etc .
Therefore , the conditioning of biogas as a process prior to its use makes it possible to avoid corrosion and abrasion problems in consumer equipment and machines , thus improving their operation and extending their useful life . Furthermore , with this biogas conditioning , it is possible to reduce exhaust gas emissions , in compliance with the strict regulations applicable in this respect .
How is biogas conditioning achieved ? Biogas conditioning therefore consists of the partial or total removal of undesirable components ( water vapour and polluting or corrosive compounds ), while ensuring appropriate humidity , temperature and pressure conditions . To do this , first of all , it is necessary to dehumidify the biogas by cooling it to a temperature that
allows the elimination of as much water vapour as possible in the form of condensate . At SACOME we have different types of tubular heat exchanger and separator vessel , depending on the characteristics of the process and the nature of the biogas , in order to achieve an optimum degree of dehumidification . The polluting or corrosive compounds ( mainly those mentioned above : siloxanes , hydrogen sulphide and ammonia ) are then removed by adsorption on activated carbon or silica gel , using graphite filters and resins , and sometimes in combination with washing using certain reagents ( methanol , sulphuric acid , hydrocarbon mixtures , etc .). At SACOME we design and manufacture these filter tanks to guarantee perfect cleaning and conditioning of the biogas .
About the author
Héctor Martínez is Industrial Engineer by the Polytechnic University of Cartagena ( Spain ), in whose department of Thermal and Fluids Engineering he developed research works in heat transfer and computational fluid mechanics ( CFD ) with a collaboration grant . Since 2012 he is responsible for R & D & I in the technical-commercial department of SACOME , where he works as an expert in the design of tubular heat exchangers . You can contact Héctor for further information by email at hectorm @ sacome . com .