Methane is a hazardous and highly flammable gas which should be carefully managed. Businesses which use methane as part of their process should have methane detection systems in place to minimize the risk to their business and employees. Some industrial processes also result in methane being produced as a bi-product, these industries should also install methane detection systems. Depending on the country there can also be set laws in place which businesses must follow to reduce their methane emissions. In this article we take a look at several industries and detail out the importance of methane detection systems.
Landfill sites
Landfill sites produce biogas when the organic material breaks down. Biogas is composed of methane and a number of other gasses including carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, siloxanes and some moisture. Depending on the waste in the landfill, the relative quantities of these components vary. Landfill gas monitoring and management is essential to not only protect employees and the environment but to help the landfill capitalize on biogas which can be used to provide heat and electricity for landfill operations. Landfill sites should implement a number of different methane detection systems to cover all areas of the landfill that could potentially result in a gas leak. Fixed methane detection systems should be installed near landfill gas collection pipes and wellheads so they can be monitored closely and remotely. Portable methane detection systems should also be used to survey the landfill surface and to pick up any other leaks or issues. Portable methane detectors need to be used on a regular basis to check for any new issues.
Mining
Another area where methane detection systems are required is within the mining industry. When extracting coal or other substances from a mine, deposits of methane can be released in small or larger quantities. The health of the mine workers should be protected at all times, the best way to do this is to continuously monitor the gasses being emitted from the mine during the extraction process. This can be achieved by using a series of portable methane detectors and methane alarms which alert the workers if the air quality has reached dangerous levels. Methane is odorless and can cause serious health implications as it reduces the amount of oxygen available to breathe in. If employees are exposed to high levels of methane it can result in dizziness and even lead to unconsciousness. Historically small birds were used in mines to detect the presence of methane and carbon monoxide before it impacted the human workers. Technology advances means that this practice is no longer needed, instead gas analyzers and gas detectors can be used to warn miners of dangerous conditions.
Wastewater treatment plants
The treatment of wastewater initially requires the sludge to be removed, this is the solid or semi-solid material that is present within wastewater. The sludge consists of organic material, which if left to break down will produce biogas as a byproduct. Many wastewater companies use anaerobic digesters to collect the biogas and use it to provide heat or electricity to the wastewater treatment facility. The biogas consists of a high percentage of methane, in order to safely use the biogas, the wastewater facility needs to implement safety measures such as a methane detection system. Even if the wastewater facility chooses to dispose of the sludge instead of using it to produce biogas, they should monitor the air surrounding the sludge storage to avoid any issues with methane escaping into the atmosphere.
QED methane detection systems
At QED we offer multiple methane detection systems for a number of industries. We provide both portable and fixed gas analyzers and gas detectors. Our products can analyze and identify not only methane but a number of different gasses including carbon dioxide, oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, hydrogen gas and carbon monoxide. At QED we provide gas analyzers and gas detectors that are highly accurate, reliable and of a market leading quality. Our gas analyzers integrate with computer software to provide data trends and accurate reporting. We continuously work to provide new and innovative solutions to help our customers to improve accuracy, keep employees safe, and reduce the time needed to conduct monitoring.
