Typically rich in methane, the gas is often utilised as a fuel. Biogas is frequently burnt in gas engines to provide heat and power, but is also compressed for use in cars and fed into the general gas supply. As a renewable fuel, biogas qualifies for subsidies in certain parts of the world.

Biogas is usually generated from waste, and as such often harbours harmful compounds that constitute a hazard, or are capable of damaging equipment whilst the fuel is burnt. Halogenated organic compounds and volatile siloxanes are examples of chemical compounds often found in biogas which are capable of causing damage to gas engines. Monitoring is often required to determine what mitigation procedures are required to clean the gas prior to use, for example whether charcoal filters are necessary. The gas is also monitored to ensure cleanup protocols are working efficiently, to establish if the filters require regenerating or replacing and to inspect the calorific values before usage as a fuel.

Lucideon has extensive experience in the monitoring and analysis of landfill and biogas type gases. Having developed a wide range of UKAS accredited (ISO 17025) tests on these materials (UKAS accredited testing laboratory No. 0013), Lucideon is an authority in this field of analysis.

Biogas testing offerings include:

• Bulk gas constituents (C1-C4 hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen, helium)
• Hydrogen sulphide
• Organsulphur compounds
• Carbon monoxide
• Trace VOCs
• Siloxanes
• Terpenes
• Alkanes
• Alkyl esters
• Sampling following technical guidance LFTGN04
• Analysis following technical guidance LFTGN04
• Aldehydes and ketones
• Isocyanates
• Mercury *
• Volatile fatty acids *
• Alcohols *.

NB: Items marked with a * are not currently covered by our UKAS (ISO 17025) Accreditation.

To view the full list of compounds and their UKAS (ISO 17025) Accreditation status click here