The treatment of residual biosolids from wastewater treatment plants is a major everyday challenge that municipalities have to tackle. One way many plants face this challenge head-on is by recovering those biosolids to produce biogas by a process of thermal hydrolysis and anaerobic digestion.

 Transforming biosolids into biogas in essence is converting materials previously deemed harmful or even dangerous for the environment into valuable green energy that can power plant equipment or even be sold back to the power grid. For treatment plant operators, converting biosolids into biogas complies with environmental regulations, drastically reduces residual biosolids volumes and creates a new revenue stream. However, its production requires an attention to detail. The LANDTEC BIOMETHANE 3000 fixed analyzer from QED Environmental Systems is designed for the detailed methane and oxygen readings required for biogas production, the anaerobic digestion of wastewater biosolids, vehicle fuel anaerobic digestion and other biomethane production applications. Its use can help users maximize operational efficiency by optimizing the anaerobic digestion process.

The unit provides continual measurement of methane, carbon dioxide and oxygen with a user-definable fourth gas reading of hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen or carbon monoxide, which can help calm safety concerns. The analyzer provides accurate readings above the 95% methane level and below the 1% oxygen level at first stage production. Customizable to site requirements, it protects operators from oxygen issues while preventing the risk of injecting poor-quality gas into the energy grid network. With its modular design, the unit enables hot swapping for serviceability and on-site maintenance, minimizing operational downtime.

Built with an IP65-rated enclosure, the analyzer is certified for use in potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) and IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Explosive Atmospheres (IECEx) Zone 2 areas. A variety of communication options are available, including Modbus RTU and optional Process Field Bus (PROFIBUS), Process Field Net (PROFINET) and Ethernet communication protocols.

With a clear and informative color visual display, the analyzer is easy to install and operate according to the maker. It operates in a wide temperature range and offers a fully automated calibration function to maintain methane testing accuracy and ensure data reliability in extreme temperatures. It comes with built-in liquid level monitoring with a dedicated alarm, an optional automated moisture removal drain and a dedicated autocalibration alarm. 

734-995-2547; www.qedenv.com