Monitoring and removal of siloxanes from anaerobic digester and landfill gas

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Increasing number of municipalities are discovering the benefit of utilizing the landfill gas (LFG) and anaerobic digester gas (ADG) for electricity production. Generating electricity from LFG or ADG can result in substantial savings and significantly reduces the total quantity of greenhouse gases emitted to the atmosphere.     One of the main obstacles to the widespread utilization of LFG and ADG for electricity generation is the adverse effect of siloxanes on cogeneration facilities. Siloxanes, common additives in many cosmetic and lubricating products, find their way to sanitary sewage or landfill refuse and end up in LFG and ADG. When burned, siloxanes convert to silicate, a crystalline precipitate, which causes accelerated ware in reciprocating engines. The adverse effect of siloxanes has resulted in millions of dollars of financial damage to private industry and municipalities and has discouraged many from utilizing the biogas from landfills and digesters for power generation.     At the present time, there is no accepted standard method for monitoring the level of siloxanes in the biogas matrix. Current analytical methods are expensive (over $2500 per sample), cumbersome, and provide only a snap shot of siloxanes profile. One of the objectives of the proposed research project is to develop a reliable, cost-effective online method for siloxanes analysis. Current analytical techniques for siloxanes in biogas could cost in excess of $2000 per sample.    Another objective of the proposed research project is to compare the effectiveness and economy of various available technologies for the removal of siloxanes from ADG and LFG. A comprehensive comparison of removal technologies has not yet been performed due primarily to the lack of an effective monitoring technique for siloxanes in the biogas.