Create mass balance

Mass balancing for biogas plants is an essential aspect when considering and optimizing the operation of biogas plants. It is used to track the flow of matter in a plant, especially the input of biomass and the production of biogas and by-products. Accurate mass balancing allows biogas plant operators to evaluate plant efficiency, identify potential losses, and take steps to optimize the process.

Mass balancing starts with the input of biomass into the biogas plant.

This can include various organic materials, such as slurry, manure, waste from agriculture or the food industry. The biomass is added to the digester, where it is broken down by anaerobic microbial processes. This produces biogas, which consists mainly of methane and carbon dioxide. The biogas can either be used to generate electricity and heat or upgraded and used as a renewable fuel.

However, by-products and losses are also generated during the degradation process. Accurate mass balancing records these losses and by-products in order to obtain a complete overview of the material flow. These include, for example, residues from the fermenter, which are referred to as digestate.

The digestate can be used as fertilizer on agricultural land, as it still contains valuable nutrients.

Mass balancing also includes the discharge of gases from the biogas plant.

In addition to methane and carbon dioxide, small amounts of other gases such as hydrogen sulfide or ammonia can also be produced. These gases must be controlled and treated appropriately to minimize emissions to the environment and ensure air quality.

Accurate recording and evaluation of mass balance allows operators to evaluate and optimize various aspects of the plant. For example, a high loss rate in the digester may indicate inefficient utilization of the biomass, while a low gas yield may indicate difficulties in the degradation process. By identifying such problems, operators can take appropriate measures to improve plant performance.

Mass balancing for biogas plants is also important to comply with legal regulations and environmental requirements. By accurately documenting material flow and emissions, operators can demonstrate that they are complying with applicable standards. This is particularly relevant in terms of climate protection, as biogas plants can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using renewable biogas instead of fossil fuels.

Yes, in Germany a mass balance for biogas plants is required by law. According to the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG), operators of biogas plants must regularly prepare mass balances and submit them to the competent authorities.

The mass balance is used to document the use and production of biomass in the biogas plant. It shows what type and amount of biomass is introduced into the plant, how much biogas and how much digestate is produced from it, and where the digestate is ultimately spread. The mass balance makes it possible to control and monitor the operation of the plant and to record and track environmental impacts.

The exact requirements for the mass balance can vary depending on the federal state, as the implementation of environmental laws in Germany is the responsibility of the individual federal states. It is important to follow the specific requirements of the competent authorities and the EEG in order to meet the legal requirements.

A mass balance for biomethane plants is an important tool to track the overall flow of materials in such a plant. It makes it possible to quantify the input and output of substances and thereby gain important information about the operation of the plant. Here are some of the main components considered in a mass balance for biomethane plants:

1. Raw materials: The balance begins with the recording of the raw materials used, which typically include organic materials such as biomass, waste or manure. The quantity and composition of these raw materials are recorded to determine the total input of organic matter.
2. Pretreatment: Depending on the type of feedstocks used, they may need to be pretreated to remove impurities or increase methane production efficiency. The mass balance takes into account the amount and loss of material during the pretreatment process.
3. Fermentation: In this step, the raw material mixture is placed in an anaerobic digester where microorganisms break down the organic materials and produce methane gas. The mass balance tracks the input of organic matter, the quantity and quality of biogas produced, and any losses during the fermentation process.
4. Upgrading: The biogas produced is purified and freed from impurities such as carbon dioxide, sulfur compounds or moisture. The mass balance takes into account the amount of biogas leaving the upgrading unit and the loss of gas during the purification process.
5. Biomethane: The purified biogas is further upgraded to biomethane, which can be used as a renewable energy source. The mass balance records the quantity and quality of the biomethane produced as well as losses during upgrading.
6. By-products: In addition to biomethane, the biomethane plant may also generate by-products such as digestate or wastewater. The mass balance takes into account the quantity and composition of these by-products, which may need further treatment or disposal.

The mass balance of a biomethane plant is a valuable tool to monitor and optimize the entire process of methane production. By accurately quantifying the material flows, bottlenecks or losses can be identified and measures can be taken to improve the efficiency and profitability of the plant. In addition, the mass balance enables transparent documentation of environmental impacts and compliance with regulatory requirements related to waste management and renewable energy.

When performing a mass balance for biogas plants, various regulations and laws must be observed to ensure proper and legally compliant balancing. In the following you will find a compilation of relevant regulations:

1. Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) The EEG regulates the remuneration and priority for electricity from renewable energies, including biogas. It contains provisions on the feed-in tariff, the purchase of the electricity generated, and the preparation of balances and proof of the biomass quantities used.
2. Ordinance on Plants for the Fermentation of Biomass (Biomass Fermentation Ordinance - BioAbfV) The BioAbfV sets out requirements for biogas plants, particularly with regard to the quality of the biomass used and the storage of substrates. It also contains regulations on the documentation and recording of biomass composition and the preparation of mass balances.
3. Fertilizer Ordinance (DüV) The Fertilizer Ordinance regulates the use of fertilizers and sewage sludge in agriculture. Since fermentation residues from biogas plants are often used as fertilizers, the requirements of the DüV must be observed. Among other things, this ordinance contains regulations on the application quantity and time as well as on the documentation of the fermentation residues applied.
4. Closed Substance Cycle Waste Management Act (KrWG) The KrWG regulates the handling of waste and specifies, among other things, requirements for the recovery of biowaste. Since biomass often originates from waste or residual materials, the provisions of the KrWG may be relevant, especially with regard to the definition of waste and proof of recovery.
5. Emissions Trading Act (TEHG) If biogas is converted into electricity in the biogas plant and this is fed into the electricity grid, the plants may fall within the scope of the Emissions Trading Act. This law regulates the trading of greenhouse gas emission certificates and includes obligations to record and report emissions.
6. Water Resources Act (WHG) The WHG contains provisions for the protection of water bodies, especially in connection with the handling of substances hazardous to water. Biogas plants may use certain substances that are classified as hazardous to water. Therefore, the requirements of the WHG with regard to storage, handling and verification obligations must be observed.

Please note that this is only a selection of relevant regulations and laws and further regulations may apply depending on the specific context and location. It is recommended to consult professionals and relevant authorities when planning and implementing a mass balance for biogas plants in order to comply with all relevant legal requirements.

Advantages of hiring experts to prepare a mass balance:

1. Expert knowledge: Experts have specialized knowledge and experience in the preparation of mass balances. They can fulfill both the technical aspect and the industry-specific requirements necessary for a correct and accurate mass balance.
2. Accuracy: A professionally prepared mass balance report ensures high accuracy. This accuracy is critical, as the smallest errors can lead to an incorrect interpretation of your plant's performance, which in turn can lead to costly wrong decisions.
3. Time saving: Preparing a mass balance can be time-consuming, especially if you do not have the necessary expertise. Hiring an expert relieves you of this task and allows you to focus on other aspects of your business.
4. Optimization: A well-prepared mass balance can help identify areas where efficiency can be improved. This could lead to significant cost savings in the long run.

Given the above benefits, it is highly recommended to hire an expert to perform a mass balance of your biomethane plant. Although this is initially an additional expense, it should be viewed more as an investment that will ultimately help improve the performance and efficiency of your plant and thus save you money.

The knowledge and experience that experts bring to the preparation of a mass balance is valuable when it comes to understanding how your plant operates and identifying opportunities for improvement and optimization. This investment could ultimately result in your plant operating more efficiently, which could translate into lower operating costs and higher revenues.