Biogas plants are an important component of renewable energy production. By converting organic waste into biogas, we can reduce reliance on fossil fuels and promote the use of sustainable energy sources. Biogas can in turn be utilized to generate electricity and heat, improving energy security and decreasing external dependence.
Biogas production helps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste undergoes anaerobic fermentation, methane gas (CH₄) is released. However, when this gas is converted into energy by burning, the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released is significantly reduced. This process is much less harmful than releasing methane gas freely into the atmosphere because methane gas is 25 times more potent as a greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
Agricultural waste, animal manure, food waste, and other biological waste are used in biogas plants. This helps reduce environmental problems related to waste storage and processing. Additionally, biofertilizer, a by-product of biogas production, can be used in agriculture to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and increase soil fertility.
One of the key factors in the successful operation of biogas engines is the regular analysis of engine oils. Biogas can contain higher levels of contaminants due to its various compounds. Therefore, it is crucial to regularly monitor and analyze the contaminants and corrosives in the engine oil to ensure efficient and long-term operation of the engines. It is recommended to take an oil sample every 250 hours, conduct urgent testing, and evaluate the sample in an accredited testing laboratory. Various analyses are applied in this process, and here are some of them:
- Viscosity: Increases and decreases give information on the aging of the oil due to fuel dilution, coolant water leakage, or other factors.
- Total Acid Number: As oil ages (oxidizes), it increases in acidity. Adding water or new oil decreases acidity.
- Total Base Number: It is the base number of the oil. This value decreases as the oil ages. If the acidity exceeds the base number, it is recommended that the oil be changed immediately.
- Elemental Analysis: It provides valuable data about the levels of additives, wear, and contamination in the oil sample, enabling early detection of wear and contamination smaller than 25 microns. This allows for timely intervention in the biogas engine to prevent catastrophic failure.
- Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR): Parameters such as soot, fuel dilution, nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, glycol, etc., are measured in the oil sample. This allows for the detection of gas and air mixture, cooling water leakage (if any), and oxidation levels.
- pH Measurement: Measuring acidity strength is as crucial as the total acid number. Sharp drops provide valuable information about the quality of released gas in the facility.
- Particle Wear Index: It represents the number of magnetic wear elements larger than 50 microns in the oil sample. A high count suggests potential damage to engine components such as cylinders.
- Biogas Characterization Analysis: It is essential to analyze the gas entering the engine as thoroughly as the oil. The higher the methane content in the gas, and the lower the levels of humidity, siloxane, sulfur, and other impurities, the more efficient the engine will be. Identifying and reducing harmful gases will also help prevent damage such as corrosion and pitting in the engine components. Performing these analyses regularly and integrating them with oil analysis is crucial.
After completing all these analyses, the results obtained must be evaluated by experts specialized in the fields of engine and oil health. The actions to be taken after the evaluations must be defined correctly.
