Siloxanes are chemical compounds found in a wide range of products from cosmetics to food additives. Siloxanes accumulate at landfill sites and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), where materials are processed and concentrated. Although most siloxanes evaporate into the atmosphere, they still accumulate in the produced biogas and their levels need to be controlled.
Siloxanes present in biogas will burn in gas turbine or combustion engines and form silica (silicon dioxide, SiO₂) or silicates (SiₓOy). This silica and silicate will build up on valves, cylinder walls, liners, and on the turbine blades causing abrasion, blockages, and mechanical failure of the equipment. Silicate’s build-up will lead to:
- Higher maintenance cost
- Changing oil more frequently (often more than twice the expected frequency)
- Replacing valves, cylinders
- Engine power loss (10 – 20%)
- Decreased profitability
- Increased capital cost
- Total mechanical failure or breakdown of the combustion engine
It is therefore understandable why it is important to remove siloxanes from biogas before using it as a fuel source for internal combustion engines and turbines. Failure to do so will inevitably lead to significant costs further down the line, both financially and in outage due to maintenance.
SILOXANES REMOVAL FROM BIOGAS: MOBILE FILTER
EcoFlow™
The siloxanes removal filters from the EcoFlow™ mobile filter range are usually installed after the dryers in the biogas purification process.
Jacobi Services has a full range of mobile filters for flow rates between 75 and 4,000 m³/h biogas per filter. Our wide range of rental EcoFlow™ filters are offered via a local sales office, avoiding international transport.
SILOXANES REMOVAL FROM BIOGAS: SOLUTIONS
Auxiliary equipment and additional services
In addition to mobile filters and different media, Jacobi Services also offers various items of auxiliary equipment and additional services for siloxane removal from biogas, including:
- Selection of the type and number of EcoFlow™ filters. The selection depends on the flowrate and the estimated annual activated carbon consumption.
- A series of removable insulation jackets to prevent condensation of water and to keep the relative humidity within an acceptable range for EcoFlow™ mobile filters.
- The capabilities of the Jacobi France laboratory for externally accredited self-ignition testing of virgin or spent activated carbon.
Activated carbon
The EcoSorb™ GX-series of activated carbons are advised for siloxane removal from biogas. It is not recommended to mix the siloxane removal product with a hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) removal product because it is difficult or impossible to establish the volume ratios that are needed.
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