Biogas: analysis and optimisation for your operation
The WESSLING experts are constantly working to improve the yield of biogas plants.
In order to constantly ensure progress in the field of biogas analysis, we are innovative and have been supporting farmers and biogas plant operators with new, credible solutions for many years. WESSLING offers a unique range of services for increasing the efficiency of your biogas plant and thus the potential energy yield. The most recent example of how we are innovative is the patented BagFerm procedure for analysing your fermentation substrate.
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Input materials
Input material analysis
Input materials are the biggest cost factor in a biogas plant. Only targeted analysis enables you to assess the value of your additionally purchased materials and to arrive at a fair price for both parties. We advise you regarding the optimal scope of analysis for your input materials.
Potential analysis ranges from simple DM assessment to theoretical gas yield calculations and practical fermentation tests. We tell you which substances you should have analysed in the case of critical input materials to ensure maximum operational safety for your biogas plant.
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Dry matter analysis
Dry matter analysis
Invoicing your maize silage according to its output is most reliably accomplished with our dry mass determination – quickly and without complications. Because each percent of dry mass yields six and a half cubic metres of biogas. A deviation therefore equates to a lot of money.
For every 100 tonnes of material, we recommend having at least one sample analysed for dry mass. Biogas plant operators should invoice the maize based on a previously agreed dry mass. Additions or deductions of three percent must then be estimated for each percentage of deviation.
Determination of the dry mass
Our customers can work using the results of the test reports for each sample without complications. Our customers are also provided with a personal sampling kit consisting of a sampling bag and the software developed specifically for sample registration and labelling. A method that is both safe and simple.
We provide you with the bags, labels and program free of charge. Proper transport of your samples to our laboratory is ensured by our stable WESSLING box, which can accommodate around 45 samples.
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
BagFerm
BagFerm: Precise determination of fermentation substrate efficiency
You are a biogas plant operator, substrate supplier or seed producer and want to know exactly how efficient maize types are as substrate for biogas plants and which new substrates will replace maize plants in the future? Our innovative BagFerm analysis method supplies the answers – and thus the basis for your strategy.
Fermentation substrate analysis is an important prerequisite for the economic and ecological optimisation of biogas plants. Because each additional percentage increases profits. WESSLING uses BagFerm to precisely determine the gas yield of substrates, thus providing you with important information on how to optimise your energy generation.
Precise determination of the potential gas yield
The innovative bioreactor on a scale of 1:1000 is at the heart of the new method. It is a prerequisite for exact fermentation conditions. Substrate samples are first weighed and filled into bags and then put into the bioreactor for fermentation. The WESSLING experts investigate hundreds of samples of a wide range of substrates at the same time.
Laboratory analysis under real fermentation conditions
This results in a large number of sample series being comparable with each other. The fermentation process is followed by laboratory analysis. How much substrate remained unfermented? The experts use the loss of mass to precisely determine the potential gas yield. Real fermentation conditions, comparability through a large number of sample series, comprehensive laboratory analysis: this perfect combination results in the highest degree of precision.
Our services for the optimum energy yield of your biogas plant:
- Analysis of different raw materials intended for use as substrates in biogas plants
- Assessment of substrate efficiency and quality
- Analysis on the basis of a real fermentation process
- Individual consulting
- Personal contact person
- Precise recommendations for action
- Economic and ecological optimisation potential for your plant
- Analysis of hundreds of samples at the same time and under the same conditions
- Comparability of different substrate types
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Bioreactor biology
Bioreactor biology: acid as an indicator for process disturbances
Our experts analyse the organic materials that are broken down in your biogas plant's bioreactor to produce biogas. The results provide you with the necessary evidence to optimally assess the biology in the bioreactor and to detect disturbances in good time.
WESSLING analyses organic acids, buffer capacity, ammonium, dry mass, organic dry mass and the pH value. Only the complete spectrum provides indications of possible causes of process disturbances. In combination with the organic dry mass, we can submit conclusions regarding possible residual gas volumes. If a high residual gas potential is indicated, fermentation tests are appropriate for precise determination.
Special method for longer sample shelf life
We will send you suitable sample bottles for sampling. We offer you a special preservative for analysing the acids. This prevents acid breakdown, meaning that the samples no longer have to be shipped cooled.
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Emission measurements
Emission measurement: legal certainty for the construction and operation of biogas plants
A permit and adherence to emission limits are mandatory for the construction and operation of a biogas plant. Trust in the long-term know-how of the WESSLING biogas experts in meeting these specifications. We will gladly support you with advice and analysis in our modern laboratories.
Depending on the installed furnace thermal capacity, planning permission may be sufficient; however, larger plants require approval according to the German Federal Emission Control Act (BImSchG Bundesimmissionsschutzgesetz ). The emission limits to be adhered to during operation are specified in this, and also increasingly in the construction permits.
Compliance must be regularly verified through measurement by an agency determined according to 29b BImSchG. This verification is one of the requirements for the lawful operation of your biogas plant. We are happy to conduct these measurements for you on the basis of our national authorisation. Our long-standing experience and professional competence ensures that our measurement reports are readily accepted by the responsible regulatory bodies.
On request, we will include your plant in our database, i.e. we will remind you of the legally specified, regular emission measurement in good time. We can also undertake any arrangements with the service company of your co-generation plant (BHKW), scheduling and the provision of information to authorities on request.
Emission declaration as per 11th German Federal Emission Control Ordinance (BImSchV)
If you are the operator of a biogas plant requiring approval as per Section 27 BImSchG, you must regularly submit an emission declaration. This applies to operators of connected co-generation plants with a furnace thermal capacity of one megawatt or more.
With their extensive know-how, the WESSLING biogas experts support you in meeting your obligations for biogas plants requiring approval according to BImSchG. They prepare the data as required by the emission measurement report, and take care of data entry and the submission of the emission declaration via BUBE-Online.
The content of the emission declaration is specified precisely in the Appendix of the 11th BImSchV. Every four years, the declaration must be used to transfer data on the type, quantity, spatial and temporal distribution of air pollution emitted by the biogas plant in a specific period of time to the responsible state authority.
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Air pollution control bonus
Air pollution control bonus
The award of the air pollution control bonus, also called formaldehyde bonus, according to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) requires annual metrological proof of adherence to the limit values specified in the EEG. WESSLING performs the measurements for you and reminds you annually.
Due to the high number of plants, we are also able to include individual plants in measurement campaigns, thus avoiding additional travel expenses. We will be happy to support you with our knowledge if you are uncertain as to whether you would benefit from a measurement, whether it is technically sensible and which framework conditions it is actually subject to in your region.
Our range of services in the field of biogas in detail
Biogas leak detection
Biogas leak detection
Eight out of ten biogas plants suffer from the invisible loss of considerable amounts of gas. This equates to a significant economic loss for operators. With our special camera, we can immediately detect leaks and holes in your plant.
While still on site, we can show you where the gas is leaking on the basis of schlieren photography. The documented data are the prerequisite for sealing the leaks and thus preventing further gas loss.
Even new plants reveal leaks, which can be claimed for during the warranty period. The inexpensive and efficient use of the special camera offers you immediate economic and safety benefits.
With our special camera, we film possible leaks in real time. The following areas have to be checked, for instance:
- Bioreactor
- Digestate store
- Container roof
- Gas pipes
- Secondary fermenter
- Gas infeed
We document methane leaks by video and photography, whereby the video sequences can be viewed directly on site.
Input, bioreactor and digestate analysis – biogas analyses for each application
Our service portfolio ranges from input, bioreactor and digestate analysis to fermentation tests. Operational safety is ensured through gas leak detection, emission measurements and raw gas analysis. Determination of the biogas yield, key figures and the mass balance round off our range of services. Nationally and internationally, WESSLING is therefore one of a handful of service providers that can offer their customers such a comprehensive range of biogas analysis services.
Our services in the field of biogas and biogas plants
- Consulting and planning
- Energy consulting
- Analysis and evaluation of input materials
- Bioreactor substrate analysis
- Assessment of bioreactor biology
- Digestate residue analyses
- Analysis of trace elements
- Gas leak detection with special camera
- Raw gas analysis
- Emission and formaldehyde measurements (leak detection)
- BagFerm – innovative determination of the biogas yield
- Plant efficiency check
Transport and safe preservation of biogas samples
We have developed a simple preservation technique so that your sample reaches our laboratories in the best condition possible. Good sample material is the prerequisite for reliable analysis results. The contents of organic acids in the sample can change significantly within a few hours. To transport your sample, we therefore provide you with a perfect preservative to which you simply add to the sample.
You need information on biogas consulting?
We will be happy to support you.
- Dr. Michael Jahnz
- +86 21 337 253 67
- michael.jahnz@wessling.cn
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