Renewable gas platform seeks international partners to optimize biomethane filtration at production facilities; Predictive filter replacement to prevent VOC breakthrough
Innovative monitoring solutions and sensor technologies sought to prevent Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) breakthrough in biomethane streams
Term of Validity: 4 September 2026 - 4 September 2027
Summary - Profile Type - Technology request - POD Reference - TRNL20260901011 - Term of Validity - 4 September 2026 - 4 September 2027 - Company’s Country - Netherlands - Type of partnership - Commercial agreement with technical assistance - Research and development cooperation agreement - Targeted Countries - All countries General information - Short Summary - A renewable gas platform seeks international partners to optimize biomethane filtration. The goal is to predict activated carbon filter saturation and detect Volatile Organic Compounds. They seek technology providers, research groups, or industrial partners offering online sensors, analytical systems, or predictive methods. Partnerships can include commercial, technical, R&D, or pilot cooperation. - Full Description - Background Biomethane injected into the natural gas grid must comply with strict gas quality specifications. One of these requirements is that the gas must have the same odor characteristics as natural gas, which is achieved through the addition of an odorant. During biomethane production, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) can occasionally be present in the gas stream. These compounds may mask the odorant, resulting in reduced odor perception and potentially causing the biomethane to fail grid injection requirements. To prevent this issue, Volatile Organic Compounds are typically removed using activated carbon filtration systems. However, it is often difficult to determine when an activated carbon filter is approaching saturation. As a result, Volatile Organic Compounds breakthrough can occur before filter replacement is initiated. Technical Challenge We are seeking a monitoring solution capable of detecting or predicting the breakthrough of volatile fatty acids in activated carbon filters used in biomethane production facilities. The ideal system should: Continuously or periodically monitor the gas stream downstream of the activated carbon filter. Detect the presence of volatile fatty acids at very low concentrations before they reach levels that can interfere with odor perception. Provide early warning of impending filter saturation or breakthrough. Operate reliably in biomethane production environments. Be suitable for integration into existing gas treatment installations. Expected Outcome The objective is to develop a reliable method for determining the optimal replacement moment of activated carbon filters, thereby preventing Volatile Organic Compounds breakthrough, ensuring compliance with biomethane grid injection specifications, and reducing unnecessary filter replacement costs. - Advantages and Innovations - Optimized filter lifetime: Avoids high operational costs by replacing activated carbon filters only when actually needed. Continuous VOC monitoring: Replaces static testing with continuous online analytical instruments and advanced sensor technologies in biomethane streams. Guaranteed grid compliance: Prevents VOC breakthrough entirely, ensuring the gas consistently meets strict grid injection specifications. Predictive replacement intervals: Uses innovative forecasting methods to determine the exact moment of filter saturation rather than relying on estimates. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought - The client would like to identify technology providers, research organizations, or industrial partners that can offer: Existing commercial solutions for VOC breakthrough monitoring. Sensor technologies capable of detecting Volatile Organic Compounds in biomethane streams. Online analytical instruments or monitoring systems. Innovative methods for predicting activated carbon saturation and optimizing filter replacement intervals. Expertise in gas quality monitoring for biomethane and renewable gas applications. Type of Cooperation Sought Commercial agreement with technical assistance Technical cooperation agreement Research and development cooperation Pilot or demonstration projects - Stage of Development - Already on the market - Sustainable Development Goals - Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy Partner Sought - Expected Role of a Partner - Technology providers: Supply and install online analytical instruments, sensors, or monitoring systems for VOC breakthrough detection.` Research organizations
RTOs: Provide expertise in gas quality monitoring and co-develop predictive models for filter saturation. Industrial partners: Partner in pilot projects to validate monitoring technologies under real-world biomethane production conditions. - Type and Size of Partner - SME 11-49 - Big company - SME <=10 - R&D Institution - SME 50 - 249 - Type of partnership - Commercial agreement with technical assistance - Research and development cooperation agreement Dissemination - Technology keywords - 04006 - Biogas and anaerobic digestion (AD) - Market keywords - 06003009 - Biomass and Biofuels - Sector Groups Involved - Renewable Energy - Targeted countries - All countries