Biogas Safety first!

General requirements
2. Terms and definitions
Ammonia (NH 3
)
Anaerobic treatment
Biogas
Biogas plant
Biogas upgrading to
biomethane
Biomethane
Carbon dioxide (CO 2
)
Condensate
Combined heat and power
(CHP) unit
Desulphurisation
Digestate
Digestate storage tank
(liquid-manure pond)
Digester
(reactor, digestion tank)
Explosive range
Nitrogenous gas arising from the degradation of nitrogen-containing compounds
such as protein, urea and uric acid.
Biotechnological process taking place in the absence of air (atmospheric
oxygen) with the aim of degrading organic matter to recover biogas.
Gaseous product of anaerobic digestion, comprising primarily methane and
carbon dioxide, but which, depending on substrate, may also contain ammonia,
hydrogen sulphide, water vapour and other gaseous or vaporisable constituents.
Plant designed for the production, storage and use of biogas, including all
equipment and structures serving the operation of the plant; gas is produced
from the anaerobic digestion of organic matter.
Process for separating methane and carbon dioxide and for reducing other
undesirable gaseous constituents (H 2
S, NH 3
and other trace gases). The product
gas has a high methane content (similar to natural gas) and is referred to as
biomethane.
Biomethane is a gaseous, biologically produced fuel, the main constituent of
which is methane and which conforms to the national standards for natural gas.
Colourless, non-combustible, slightly sour smelling, in itself non-toxic gas
formed along with water as the end product of all combustion processes;
concentrations of 4–5 % in air have a numbing effect, and concentrations
above 8 % can cause death from asphyxiation.
Biogas produced in the digester is saturated with water vapour and must be
dehydrated before it is used in the CHP unit. Condensation takes place either
via an appropriately situated underground pipe in a condensate separator or
by drying of the biogas.
Unit for the conversion of chemically bound energy into electrical energy and
thermal energy on the basis of an engine linked to a generator. Simultaneous
conversion of released energy into electrical (or mechanical) energy and heat
intended for use (useful heat).
A physio-chemical, biological or combined method of reducing the hydrogen
sulphide content in biogas.
Liquid or solid residue from biogas recovery, containing organic and inorganic
constituents.
Container or pond in which liquid manure, slurry or digested substrate is stored
before subsequent use.
Container in which microbiological degradation of the substrate takes place
and biogas is generated.
Concentration at which combustible gases, mists or vapours in a mixture with
air or another gas supporting combustion can be ignited.
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