Optimisation of biogas production by infrared spectroscopy-based process control

Biomethane being a storable and base load capable energy carrier has an important role in the energy policy of the German government. The high targets for future production levels require an efficient production of biogas to yield the most biogas from either energy crops or organic waste, and to fully utilise the gas production capacity of biogas plants. Both processes can yet be optimised, and the two novel measuring technologies presented here may play an important part in this. The continuous analysis of biomass as input for a biogas plant and of the media inside the digesters was conducted by near infrared-based spectroscopy. First results indicate a high degree of accuracy for key process parameters compared to laboratory analyses. The measurement of the volumetric flow of raw biogas in the different stages of the process was performed with ultrasonic biogas meters. First results show a high degree of precision. The results will be used to develop a model towards process automation.