Biogas and Renewable Natural Gas CharacterizationSampling and Analysis

Biogas is a mixture of gases produced by the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.It can be produced from raw materials such as municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, agricultural waste, manure, yard waste, green waste or food waste.

Biogas generated from organic sources through anaerobic processes typically contains 45-65% methane. It can then be treated to remove moisture, particulates, contaminants and other gases, in order to increase the methane content to 90% or greater for pipeline injection. The resulting product is renewable natural gas (RNG).

ALS offers sampling and analytical approaches to characterize biogas and RNG to meet a wide range of specifications in the US, from state-specific rules to pipeline owner injection specifications.

2655 Park Center DriveSuite ASimi Valley California 93065

See reverse for commonly requested parameters in biogas and RNG.

Right Solutions · Right Partner alsglobal.com

Commonly Requested Parameters (Biogas and RNG)

Parameter Method Sampling Equipment

Ammonia OSHA ID-188Sorbent tube // Anasorb 747

Ammonia EPA 26/CTM-027 Acid Impingers

BiologicalsMicrobial-influenced corrosion (MIC)

GTI Method Stainless steel pressure funnel with filters

MIC analysis includes: Total Bacteria, sulfate-reducing bacteria, denitrifying bacteria, acid-producing bacteria (acetic acid-pro-ducing bacteria and butyric acid–producing bacteria), iron-oxidizing bacteria (Leptothrix and Sphaerotilus, and Gallionella species), total Archaea, methanogens, and sulfate-reducing archaea.

BTU/GHV // Higher Heating Value (HHV) or Gross Heating Value ASTM D3588 Canister or bag

Dust and Gum Same filter as biologicals

Fixed Gases // CO2, H2, O2, N2, CO, CH4 EPA 3C Modified / ASTM D1946

Canister or bag

Hydrocarbon rangesTPH C4-C12, Aliphatic C4-C12, Aromatic EC5-EC12

EPA TO-15 Canister or bag

Metals // Includes As, Cu, Sb, Pb, HgAs, Cu, Sb, Pb - NIOSH 7303 // Hg - NIOSH 6009

As, Cu, Sb, Pb – MCE FilterMercury – Sorbent Tube, Anasorb C300

Metals Includes As, Cu, Sb, Pb, Hg

Modified EPA 5/29 Modified M29 Train includ-ing filter and midget im-pingers with HNO3/H2O2

Methane, Ethane, Propane, // n-Butane, n-Pentane, n-Hexane(C1 to C6)

EPA TO-3 modified Canister or bag

N-nitroso-di-n-propylamine (NDPA) Modified SW846 0010, 8270D

XAD2 tube

PAHs NIOSH 5528 draft meth-od

OVS tube // (XAD-7 with built-in glass fiber filter)

PCBs NIOSH 5503 Florisil packed tube

Organochlorine pesticides NIOSH 5605 draft meth-od

OVS tube // (XAD-2 with a built-in quartz filter)

PCBs, PAHs, OC Pesticides Mod NIOSH 5515, 5503, 5600/5601

XAD-2 sorbent tube

Siloxanes // Includes Trimethylsilanol, // L2, D3, L3, D4, L4, D5, L5, D6

ALS In-House Method // GC/MS (similar to EPA TO-15)

Bag or Tube

Sulfur compounds // Includes H2S, Mercaptans (thiols), Sul-fides, Tetrahydrothiophene

ASTM D5504 Canister or bag

Wobbe Number ASTM D3588 Canister or bag

Volatile Organic Compounds // Includes p-dichlorobenzene, ethylbenzene, vinyl chloride, toluene, methacrolein

EPA TO-15 Canister or bag

Right Solutions · Right Partner alsglobal.com