Biogas is a source of energy produced through anaerobic fermentation of various types of organic matter. This process is also known as anaerobic digestion and is carried out by the microbial communities put under certain conditions.
The generated gas is made of methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and trace elements of other gases, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) being one of them.
Anaerobic digestion also generates a type of digestate that is rich in nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, etc.) and organic matter that has lower levels of odours and whose main field of application is agriculture, where it is used as mineral fertiliser for crops.
Prospects
Biogas is the only renewable source of energy that can be used for any large scale energy application (electricity, thermal energy or fuel) and be easily stored to be used when necessary.
Such versatility makes the anaerobic digestion the benchmark of the circular economy and the best option when it comes to valorising organic waste.
Circular economy
Biogas is used as a type of renewable fuel being the alternative to fossil fuels such as natural gas, petrol and coal on which we currently depend
Biogas contributes to the circular economy.
- It simplifies organic waste management
- It enables waste valorisation by transforming it into biogas and organic bio-fertilisers.
Main sources of biogas are agro waste, organic wastes from landfills, sewage sludge and organic waste from the agri-food industry.
The world of Biogas
MBS has developed and is currently supplying Ferro Bio – the key product used to reduce hydrogen sulphide (H2S) ever-present in biogas in different concentrations.
Ferro Bio is an iron compound Fe (OH) 3, made of functional oxides and hydroxides that upon reaction with hydrogen sulphide generates iron sulphide and pure sulphur; substances that, in turn, are used as additives to enhance properties of fertilisers.
Research and Development department of Ferro Bio has designed two products for biogas desulphurisation.
- Natura Ferro Bio
- Ferro Bio Pellet
A large number of biogas installations (landfills, digesters, etc.) has inspired Ferro Bio to design a range of materials adjustable to all types of scenarios. This way, based on the requirements and specifications of the installations in question our team of engineers will devise the most efficient system to install, taking into consideration the residence time, concentration of contaminants such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), volatile organic compounds (VOC) or siloxanes among others.
Sulphurising techniques
To avoid corrosion damages inflicted by H2S two techniques can be applied:
- In Situ: Implies acting during the liquid phase (digestate) by applying iron-oxide and hydroxide minerals. In order to prevent bacteria from producing H2S gas, Ferro Bio must be added directly into the digester.
This will trigger the chemical reaction, creating Iron Sulphide and Sulphur, which, in turn, will avoid the creation of H2S.
- Gas-phase:: In this case, the technique is applied once the biogas has been created without being previously treated. Therefore, it takes place when the gas carries H2O.
