Biogas

Biogas as Green Energy Source

Biogas is increasingly recognized as a sustainable energy source, primarily because it is derived from waste and renewable biomass. This renewable energy is produced from purified digester gases, which originate from various organic materials. Farmers, municipalities, and energy companies operate biogas plants where they ferment plant and animal waste to produce digester gases, which are then converted into heat and electricity. Additionally, digester gases can also be harvested from landfills and used for power generation.

Hydrogen Sulfide (H_₂S) Removal

In biogas production, raw digester gases contain numerous impurities such as siloxanes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and hydrogen sulfide (H_₂S) which can be detrimental to the engines used for electricity generation. Selecting the right activated carbon for removal of those substances depends on the specific gas composition. For instance, non-impregnated activated carbons are suitable for removing most VOCs.

However, substances containing sulfur require treatment with specially impregnated activated carbons. Impregnated activated carbon effectively adsorbes hydrogen sulfide by reacting with a suitable impregnation (e.g. potassium carbonate or potassium iodide), H_₂S, and oxygen, resulting in the formation of elemental sulfur that adheres to the activated carbon surface. Thanks to the unique catalytic properties of our materials, our filters for biogas pre-treatment effectively resolve the issue of hydrogen sulfide.

Biogas upgrading

Biogas plants may include a biogas-upgrading unit to produce biomethane. For biomethane to be fed into the natural gas grid, it must contain a minimal amount of CO_₂, as the presence of this gas reduces the calorific value of biomethane.

CarboTech’s carbon molecular sieves (CMS), originally developed in Essen, enable biogas upgrading when utilized in Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) units. This ensures that the methane quality standards of the national gas distribution grid are met.

Tailor-Made Solutions from CarboTech

Whether you need a solution for hydrogen sulfide removal, biogas upgrading, or a completely new application related to biogas and desulphurization, CarboTech provides more than just activated carbon.

Our team of experienced experts will determine the optimal solution for your specific needs, predict the service life of your activated carbon, and offer system analysis and optimisation upon request.

For each application, we check whether the service life of the products can be sustainably extended through our environmentally friendly reactivation process.

We take pride in delivering consistently high-quality activated carbons, tested in our state-of-the-art laboratories. We ensure you receive the product that meets your requirements, offering exceptional value for your investment.

Interested in learning more? Contact us today for personalized advice!