Measuring Biogas Composition with a Compact Microelectromechanical System‐Based Spectrometer

To operate a demand‐driven anaerobic digester, improvements to monitoring of process parameters are necessary. Therefore, a mid‐infrared spectroscopic gas sensor utilizing a microelectromechanical system‐based Fabry‐Pérot interferometer was tested for its suitability to measure the biogas concentrat...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical engineering & technology 2018-04, Vol.41 (4), p.680-686
Main Authors: Eccleston, Robin, Bongards, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Anaerobic processes
Biogas
Biogas composition
Carbon dioxide
Digesters
Gas sensors
Infrared detectors
Machine learning
Microelectromechanical systems
Microelectromechanical systems interferometer
Mid‐infrared spectroscopy
Process parameters
Regression analysis
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Summary:To operate a demand‐driven anaerobic digester, improvements to monitoring of process parameters are necessary. Therefore, a mid‐infrared spectroscopic gas sensor utilizing a microelectromechanical system‐based Fabry‐Pérot interferometer was tested for its suitability to measure the biogas concentration online. The spectral data is analyzed using principle component regression to make predictions of methane and carbon dioxide. Testing was performed in a laboratory, at a 1000‐L pilot‐scale digester, and at a 1.2‐MW landfill site. Scans took under eight minutes during testing and it is expected that this can be reduced further to give a shorter delay from the online measurements. An online mid‐infrared spectroscopic gas sensor with a microelectromechanical system‐based interferometer was developed for assessing biogas concentration. The sensor response was evaluated and tests were performed on a pilot‐scale digester and at a landfill site. The possible role of this sensor is discussed in the context of the shifting function of anaerobic digestion in the energy market.
ISSN:0930-7516
1521-4125
DOI:10.1002/ceat.201700392