Methane gas monitoring for biogas plants

When constructing its biogas plants, one of the top 5 German companies in the renewable energy sector pays attention  not only to modern process technology, but also to reliable methane gas monitoring. During the fermentation process, gas leaks can occur at any time and cause catastrophic damage in the event of ignition. For the production of biogas, farm animal waste is mixed with plants. The mixture is processed into a kind of liquid manure in the corresponding fermentation plant. Millions of bacteria now swarm in this mixture and slowly decompose it. This process causes methane gas to form.

For successful gas monitoring with specified SIL requirements, the stationary PolyXeta^®2 gas detector from MSR-Electronic with the innovative exchangeable sensor has been the first choice of many biogas plants.

The microprocessor-based gas sensor with output signal as well as alarm and fault relays (all SIL2 certified) monitors the ambient air for combustible gases and vapours by means of a catalytic pellistor sensor element. The 4–20 mA / RS-485 Modbus output signal makes the sensor suitable for connection to the PolyGard^®2 gas controller series from MSR-Electronic as well as to other MSR controllers or automation devices. As an option, the PolyXeta^®2 sensor is also available with LCD and relay output. Individual customer configuration, e.g. for alarm thresholds and relay assignments, is possible as well.

Re-calibration on site

For PolyXeta^®2 sensors from MSR-Electronic without LCD, calibration is performed via the handy calibration device STL06-PGX2 or the PC software PCE06-PGX2. Sensors with LCD have an integrated calibration routine that is started from the outside with a permanent magnet without opening the housing. For sensors with LCD, the background lighting changes from green to red in case of alarm or error. The exchangeable sensors thus enable simple and time-saving calibration on site.

PolyXeta^®2 – use in a variety of applications

The PolyXeta^®2 sensor is used in industrial areas like oil/gas industry, biogas plants, petrochemical industry, power plants etc. in Ex-Zone 1/2. The PolyXeta^®2 sensor is also suitable for commercial areas like gas transfer stations etc