Multi-method monitoring of odor emissions in agricultural biogas facilities.

The production of farm-based biogas and electricity is an area of alternative-energy interest to many livestock producers. However, it is still insignificant in comparison to the maximum potential of farms all over the world. Market penetration should involve better confidence in the technique and better understanding of its possible assets and limits. For instance, is the environmental impact of biomethanation positive or negative? What are the possible ways to avoid or to control process imbalances?
In the context of a European project, the research group attempted to tackle those questions under the angle of gas emission and more particularly of odor annoyance.

A multi-method approach was applied to monitor biogas and odor emissions, both at the laboratory level on pilot plants and at real scale in 4 agricultural biogas facilities, in Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany.
Results show that digested material is generally less odorant than crude manure or slurry, while preserving all the amendment and fertilizing qualities of the original material. Possible annoyance of agricultural biogas facilities in the surroundings remains limited and can be solved through simple techniques.