Unique, new methane and CO2 analyser designed for optimising biogas upgrading process to increase efficiency and revenue

Vaisala has introduced a new instrument for off-gas methane and carbon dioxide measurements in the biomethane production process. Robust, reliable, and compact, the Vaisala Carbocap® MGP262 multigas instrument provides continuous measurement data to help optimize and control the biogas upgrading process for greater biomethane yield, process efficiency, and environmental benefits.

The novel Vaisala MGP262 provides a unique and accurate solution to measure methane and carbon dioxide in off-gas in the biomethane production process. It is the world’s first and only in situ instrument that measures off-gases optically with Vaisala’s patented Carbocap® technology.

“The new Vaisala MGP262 provides high-quality data to determine greenhouse gas composition from the off-gas in the biogas upgrading process. The data can be used to optimize the process more efficiently, resulting in greater profits lower emissions, and less wasted resources,” says Product Manager Antti Heikkilä, Industrial Measurements, Vaisala.

When biogas is upgraded to biomethane, methane is separated from carbon dioxide and other gases that are present in the raw biogas. In the upgrading process, carbon dioxide passes into the off-gas but methane remains in the main gas stream and can be used as a renewable fuel. However, a small amount of methane slips into the off-gas stream.

Heikkilä explains further: “Methane slip is a process where methane is not captured but lost into the atmosphere. As methane is a harmful greenhouse gas, approximately 20 times worse than carbon dioxide, minimising this slip needs to be taken seriously. If methane slip is not controlled, the environmental benefits of using biomethane gas are reduced, and so is the yield. The MGP262 provides the ability to control the upgrading process and lets our customers focus on producing the best-quality biomethane possible. An optimised and efficient biomethane recovery process both enables greater profits and brings greater benefits for the environment.”

The new MGP262 follows Vaisala’s award winning MGP261 multigas measurement instrument, which provides continuous methane, carbon dioxide, and humidity readings directly in the biogas process pipeline. The MGP262 monitors the backend of the upgrading process. Together they provide accurate and reliable in-line measurements to help optimize biogas production and biomethane upgrading end-to-end. 

“There are some key points to consider in efficient biogas production. Firstly, protecting the combined heat and power engine from excess moisture during the process to avoid corrosion and breakdowns. This is where our groundbreaking MGP261 is in a class of its own,” Heikkilä states. “Secondly, it’s important to control the whole process down to off-gassing with MGP262 to minimize the losses and negative environmental impacts caused by uncontrolled methane emissions.”

The MGP262 has high chemical resistance and its metal casing is IP66 rated. The instrument is also Ex certified up to Zone 0 inside pipes and Zone 1 outside, which makes it ideal for inline installations in explosive atmospheres.

With its autocalibration functionality, low maintenance needs, and low lifetime costs, the MGP260 series offers an optimal way to monitor the entire biogas production process and continuously ensure its efficiency.