Manual or fully automated - for efficient biogas production

The Importance of Bicarbonate Monitoring

Bacteria in anaerobic digester require a pH-value in the range of about 6.5 to

8 to efficiently produce biogas. Stabilization of the pH-value within this range is predominantly obtained (> 85%) by the release of large amounts of bicarbonate (a buffering compound) from the an­aerobic decomposition of organic wastes.

Process interruptions, such as overfeeding, often result in increased concentrations of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and to decreasing amounts of bicarbonate as these acids consume the bicar­bonate.

lf these interruptions continue, the supply of bicarbonate will become depleted leading to a rapid decrease in the pH-value and subsequently a reduction biogas production and in extreme cases, complete biological collapse leading to plant failure.

The Bicarbonate-Tester The simple one

Advantages of Process Control with an In-Line Bicarbonate Monitor

» Process interruptions are detected much earlier than by pH-value analysis

» Rapid response gives operators more time to avoid economic losses

» Ease of operation with results in just 5 minutes!

» Fully automated with no messy sampling

» The data is easy to understand

» No calibration required

» Very low operating costs

» Robust and approved analytical method

» Faster and easier than the FOS /TAC measurement method

Fully Automated - The Bicarbonate Analyzer

Advantages of Process Control with a Bicarbonate-Analyzer

» With fully automatic monitoring of a plants bicarbonate level the APAS monitor will detect changes earlier than other tools available. Rapid results give an operator the time needed to avoid economic losses.

» The large amount of generated data by fully automatic monitoring enables a close relationship to the existing operating conditions inside a digester. Determining what causes dips in biogas pro­duction becomes significantly easier.

» The automated measurement feature enables 24 / 7 remote moni­toring of the biological system.

» The APAS testing method increases the availability of biogas plants and thus their financial success.