Biogas Safety first!

Specific requirements
Organisational protective measures
A piping layout plan (including the position and type
of valves, fittings, connecting pipes and supports)
must be drawn up which shows the material and size
of the pipework, the pipe run and the integration of
the pipework in the biogas plant.
Gate valves, especially those on filling equipment,
and other shut-off devices (inspection openings, but
also pumps) must be secured to prevent unauthorised
opening.
The operator must regularly check all visible pipes
for leaks by visual inspection and must document
the inspection.
9. Requirements for gas-carrying parts of the biogas plant
for hydraulic engineering installations such as digesters,
condensate shafts or other structures.
In gas pipes leading to consumption equipment
such as heating boilers, gas flares and combined
heat and power units, flame arresters must be fitted
and operated as close as possible to the end-use
equipment.
Spigot-and-socket joints that are not in themselves
longitudinally force-locked must be secured against
thrust according to the pressures arising. The pipe
connections must be longitudinally force-locked.
Gas pipes (and labelling)
Technical protective measures
Gas-carrying parts of the biogas plant must be protected
against chemical, weather-related and – in
vulnerable areas – mechanical influences and damage
(e.g. collision impact protection guards in areas
where vehicles move).
Gas-carrying pipes must conform to national requirements,
with proof of proper manufacture, suitability
for biogas and leak-tightness, for example by manufacturer
certification. Requirements arising from
structural analysis (wind, snow load etc.) must be
taken into consideration when selecting pipe materials
and calculating spans. The installation instructions
provided by the manufacturers of the pipes and
wall bushings must be observed when routing pipes
through buildings (e.g. gas and substrate pipes) and
photo: Schmack
Mechanical damage from settlement (for example in
the case of wall bushings) must be prevented through
the use of suitable bushings and appropriate connections.
If the gas is wet, it is important to ensure
the pipes are protected from frost. Condensate discharge
pipes must be designed to be frost-proof and
operational at all times. Pipes connecting to the gas
storage tank inside the gas storage tank’s installation
room are considered part of the gas storage tank.
Two shut-off valves must be installed in the gas line
upstream of each engine unit. The valves must close
automatically when the engine stops. The interspace
must be regularly checked for leaks. If the supply
line to the engine has a constant upstream pressure
(> 5 mbar) even when the engine is stopped, automatic
interspace monitoring is required.
Organisational protective measures
Pipes must be labelled to indicate the medium carried
and the direction of flow. When available, the relevant
national guidelines should be followed in this regard.
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