Biogas and Agriculture
Member
Emissions Monitoring Programs for
Biodigesters and Gas Upgrade Systems
Releasing methane into the atmosphere is to be avoided for environmental reasons. But releasing methane into the atmosphere is also bad business because it can be captured and converted to energy. Many farms have invested millions in renewable natural gas infrastructure to capture methane gas and convert it to energy. Along with these investments, a greater emphasis is being placed on operations and maintenance to detect methane releases and repair them.
Sniffer provides technologies, methodologies, and a full range of services to monitor emissions and leak sources, help remediate, and verify the results. Protect your RNG investment by partnering with Sniffer to create a customized Emissions Monitoring Plan (EMP) to ensure an ROI from your emissions.
Services and Solutions Offered
Emissions Monitoring at Gas Upgrade Systems
Prior to conducting emissions monitoring at a biogas site, Sniffer will develop a site-specific emissions monitoring plan (EMP) based on data provided by the site (block diagrams, PID, pictures, manuals etc.). This plan will ensure that leak detection will be performed on each gas system component (flanges, valves, sumps, etc.)
Monitoring plans will be developed according to requirements outlined in 40 CFR 60 Subpart OOOO(b) §60.5397b. Monitoring procedures will be conducted in accordance with 40 CFR 60- Appendix A-7, Method 21.
Sniffer technician performing leak detection of a flange
Emissions Monitoring at Anaerobic Digesters
The SnifferDRONE as it scans the surface of a lagoon collecting methane emissions data
Covered Anaerobic Lagoons
Anchor trenches, seams, pin holes, and other sources over and around biodigester geosynthetic cover systems may be sources of methane leaks. The geosynthetic covers are generally black in color (light absorbing), may rise to over 10' in height due to positive gas pressure, and feature straps for ballast. These characteristics create challenges for most emission monitoring methods.
The SnifferDRONE's ability to precisely capture low-level methane concentration data, regardless of background color interferences and changes in topography or geometry of the surface, allows discrete methane leak sources to be precisely detected. The SnifferDRONE is able to detect elevated methane concentrations and accurately locate leaks, allowing for efficient and effective localization by field technicians as required for remediation.
Plug Flow Anaerobic Digesters
Plug flow anaerobic digestors process more farm and industrial waste globally than any other design.
Sniffer has industry-leading technologies and comprehensive techniques for monitoring these facilities, including our SnifferDRONE technology, manual monitoring techniques, and emissions monitoring plans (EMP). Sniffer will locate leaks, quantify flow rates, and help inform maintenance priorities, allowing you to maximize both collection efficiencies and your ROI.
Plug flow digester with flexible cover to be inspected by the SnifferDRONE
Complete mix/CSTR biodigester and relevant gas components
Complete Mix/CSTR Biodigesters
Monitoring emissions on a Complete Mix or Continuously Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR) poses operational and safety challenges. These digesters are usually tall structures with high elevation piping and vents, making access for monitoring difficult and hazardous.
We utilize a combination of aerial inspection tools (i.e. SnifferDRONE) and hand-held detection equipment (i.e. methane detectors, optical gas imagery cameras, and/or tunable diode laser systems) to accurately locate methane leaks. We can even quantify the flow rates to document gas capture and emissions reductions.
Actionable Information
After the inspection, Sniffer provides a full monitoring report that includes leak locations with details thereof. Details that are provided may include:
-
Leak location descriptions with photos, GPS coordinates, measured methane concentrations (ppm), and potential root cause.
-
For covered anaerobic digesters, an interpolated map colorized by methane concentrations from 1 ppm to 100% to provide visualization of methane leak sources. Manual verification details can also be provided including leak details, photos, etc.
-
Quantification of leak sources.
-
Other details as required.
Information provided by Sniffer is precise, accurate, and most importantly, actionable. Our mission is to Inform for Action!
Sniffer also can provide this data via the Sniffer Field Ops app (SFO), which can be viewed on a tablet or phone, as well as the SnifferVIEW desktop viewer.
An interpolated map ("heat map") showing elevated methane emissions and leak locations as measured by the SnifferDRONE.
Our daily reports provide customers detailed and precise information to help remediate issues quickly and effectively.
Additional Services and Solutions
Sniffer Field Ops™
Mobile app solution used for field reporting, monitoring, and automated reporting to benefit operations.
Custom GIS Solutions
Improve operational workflow and deliver actionable insights through customized Esri and ArcGIS solutions.