Nick Cowie leads revamped Biogas Leak Detection Service

Nick Cowie

FM BioEnergy has extended its Biogas Leak Detection Service with new, state-of-the-art equipment, and a dedicated team led by experienced biogas professional Nick Cowie.

Biogas plants are complex, and even the best designed and well run plant can be subject to biomethane leakage. Losing biomethane in this way creates a number of issues. Not only is this a significant health and safety risk to staff and the wider community, but unabated methane emissions are a greenhouse gas (GHG) meaning that leaks pollute the environment. Gas lost to the environment cannot be used for energy generation or grid injection and represents lost revenue for plant operators, too.

Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) is the combined process of monitoring and repairing these leaks on an ongoing basis, and carrying out LDAR surveys at six- or twelve-monthly intervals is an integral part of the Environmental Permit for many plants. Whether or not it is a permitting requirement, implementing regular LDAR surveys is industry best practice, as per the Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association’s (ADBA) Certification Scheme.

Building on our experience

We have already conducted more than 1,000 gas leakage surveys over the last ten years and have now appointed experienced industry professional Nick Cowie to lead our expanded Biogas Leak Detection Service. With more than 15 years’ experience as a biogas plant operator, Nick has an innate understanding of AD plant layout and operation and is a Certified Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) camera operator.

Nick explains: “AD plants are complex with lots of pipework, and having the necessary background knowledge and understanding of them is imperative to our service offering. Our upgraded Biogas Leak Detection Survey adds to our holistic approach to biogas plant optimisation, from feedstock to biological support, and as such is a natural evolution for us.”

New and improved technology

As well as appointing Nick, we have upgraded to a new EyeCGas® 2.0 camera, the most sensitive OGI camera on the market. The EyeCGas® 2.0 uses thermal imaging technology for the detection of gas leaks and fugitive emissions. With built-in emission quantification and wireless capacity, the EyeCGas’s improved sensitivity and thermographic mode, together with on-board media recording and storage, make it the ideal camera for LDAR. It is certified to meet IEC standards for temperature, humidity, vibration, dust and water intrusion and is the only camera certified for use in Class I Div 2 hazardous environments.

Focus on data

Although every site is unique, our typical LDAR survey takes around half a day on site and results in a detailed report which quantifies any fugitive biomethane emissions, as well as detailing their locations. The survey covers everything from digesters, storage tanks and CHP units, and includes known high-risk areas such as valves, pipework, joints, covers and seals.

“The report provides a snapshot of your plant at that moment in time and can also be used to prove the absence of leaks where that is the case,” points out Nick. “We notify the operator of any issues before we leave site. The report itself focuses on the data and provides results in terms of grams and parts per million of biomethane for any detected leaks.”

We are also working with ADBA to make it easier for plant operators to access reliable LDAR surveys via the ACDS scheme.