ALS offers sampling and analytical approaches to characterize biogas and RNG to meet a wide range of specifications.
Biogas 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 andother gases, in order to increase the methane content to90% or greater for pipeline injection. The resulting product is renewable natural gas (RNG).
| Parameter | Method | Sampling Equipment |
| Ammonia | OSHA ID-188 | Sorbent tube// Anasorb 747 |
| Ammonia | EPA 26/CTM-027 | Acid Impingers |
| Biologicals - Microbial-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-producing acteria 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 1946 | Canister or bag |
| Hydrocarbon ranges TPH C4-C12, Aliphatic C4-C12, Aromatic EC5-EC12 |
EPA TO-15 | Canister or bag |
| Metals // Includes As, Cu, Sb, Pb, Hg | As, Cu, Sb, Pb - NIOSH 7303 // Hg - NIOSH 6009 |
As, Cu, Sb, Pb – MCE Filter Mercury – Sorbent Tube, Anasorb C300 |
| Metals Includes As, Cu, Sb, Pb, Hg |
Modified EPA 5/29 | Modified M29 Train including filter and midget impingers 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 method |
OVS tube // (XAD-7 with built-in glass fiber filter) |
| PCBs |
NIOSH 5503 |
Florisil packed tube |
| Organochlorine pesticides |
NIOSH 5605 draft method |
OVS tube // (XAD-2 with a built-in glass fiber filter) |
| PCBs, PAHs, OC Pesticide |
Mod NIOSH 5515, 5503, 600/5601 |
XAD-2 sorbent tube |
| Siloxanes // Includes Trimethylsilanol, // L2, D3, L3, D4, L4, D5, L5, D6 |
ALS In-House Method // GC/MS (similar to EPATO-15) |
Bag or Tube |
| Sulfur compounds // Includes H2S, Mercaptans (thiols), Sulfides, 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 |