Kiwa and biogas

Biogas is an important asset in making our energy supply more sustainable. Energy-neutrally generated biogas can be used in combined heat and power plants (CHP) or be upgraded to green gas that is mixed into the natural gas network. A well-known way of producing biogas is through the fermentation of manure from livestock farms. But the owners of installations for sewage treatment and wastewater treatment are also involved in this: by fermenting the sludge that remains when cleaning sewage or waste water. 

After cleaning sewage and other wastewater, sludge remains that is heated in special tanks to a minimum of 33 degrees Celsius, the right temperature for a natural fermentation process. During this fermentation, bacteria convert the digestible parts of the sludge into biogas. The indigestible part is burned as waste, used as fuel in, for example, power plants or be used as fertilizer.

Climate neutral energy supply

Many Dutch water boards have sewage treatment plants with fermentation facilities. The biogas produced is used for various purposes. Some water boards thus provide their own climate-neutral energy supply, others supply it directly to industry or generate energy in cogeneration plants. In order to be able to 'feed' biogas into the natural gas network, it must first be upgraded to green gas. This has the same properties as natural gas and can therefore be added to the natural gas network or used in the combustion engines of transport vehicles or to generate heat and electricity.

Pollution

In order to use biogas in combustion engines, it must be cleaned of contaminants. Biogas typically consists of 60 percent methane and 35 percent carbon dioxide. The residual part includes ammonia, organic acids, hydrogen gas, hydrogen sulfide and siloxanes. The latter substances are gaseous silicon-containing components. Prolonged use of biogas contaminated with siloxanes can cause damage to gas engines due to the formation of deposits containing silicon (silicon dioxide).

Expert in biogas

In order to use biogas efficiently and safely, it is important to monitor its quality closely. As a long-standing knowledge partner in the field of gas, Kiwa is the ideal party for this. Kiwa is a one-stop shop for all biogas issues. Kiwa's experts can support water boards, drinking water companies and other biogas producers with a comprehensive range of services, from analysis, cleaning and reprocessing to advice on biogas production and application.

Below you will find an overview of Kiwa's services in the field of bio gas and other sustainable gases.