EnviTec opens second biogas analysis laboratory

EnviTec Biogas has opened its second laboratory to provide precise biogas analysis with ultramodern equipment and a full range of services from a single site.

Specialists at the Lohne, Germany, laboratory utilise methods compliant with certification standards that are to be used in other major lab setups.

“Our service management operations are naturally focused on minimising outages while also ensuring that every plant is operated to maximise its performance,” explained Martin Brinkmann, managing director at EnviTec Service.

“Since we can now offer our customers sampling and analysis either as part of a service contract or as an on-demand service, we can now respond more quickly and give the operator valuable, proactive advice about the best course of action.”

Biological services include standard monthly sampling work, which measures the pH value or the acetic acid equivalent, as well as specialised samples taken in the event of a biogas plant’s biological systems malfunctioning.

“In many cases, our colleagues from the biological team can get a very good picture of the situation just by visiting the plant in person and discussing current problems directly with the customer,” said Brinkmann.

To provide biological long-term support for operational plant, regular examination of the substrate quality and the ambient conditions of the anaerobic biology in the digester is essential.

This enables a proactive approach and is the only way to identify negative trends and intervene before they become problematic – thus avoiding long-term problems with gas production.

“Digestion is a natural process and therefore subject to fluctuations now and then – and no two biogas plants will behave the same,” said Clemens Willenborg, manager of biological services at EnviTec Service.

Providing biological support to biogas plants does not just involve lab work, but also requires effective teamwork from the service partner and the operator.

The best results are achieved by careful monitoring of the biological systems plus frequent discussion of ideas and suggestions, according to Willenborg.

EnviTec Service biological service experts support around 85MW worth of biogas plants.

The company opened its first laboratory in Verona, Italy, in 2015.