QED Seeking Another Way Forward for Biogas Industry Under Alternative Measurement Protocol

Under the new regulations, the EPA previously ruled that only gas chromatographs would be fit for use. However, the Alternative Measurement Protocol (AMP) allows original equipment manufacturers to submit technology for use in place of a gas chromatograph.

In a landmark development for the industry, QED is among the first to submit to the AMP, with the company’s Biogas 3000 and Biomethane 3000 fixed gas analyzers now under review by the EPA (submittal number JSDEP-25477).

James Jones, Gas Instruments Product Manager at QED Environmental Systems, said: “The EPA’s efforts to regulate the production of biogas more tightly are a welcome development, and will help to further bolster the sector’s green credentials. However, as many across the industry have pointed out, limiting measurement to the use of gas chromatographs offers up several challenges.

“First and foremost, the lengthy lead times associated with procuring gas chromatographs are well known. Transitioning an entire industry from using analyzers to chromatographs is likely to cause significant interruptions to the supply of biogas and renewable natural gas – the continuity of which should be the number one priority.”

According to Mr. Jones, gas chromatographs are more traditionally associated with the laboratory environment, and as such are in scarcer supply, with a far higher point of purchase.

By comparison, gas analyzers have long been the instrument of choice for measurement for biogas production and enjoy a well-established install base already in operation due to their ability to return accurate information much faster than that of a gas chromatograph. Crucially, they are specially designed for biogas production environments, are available in large quantities at an accessible price point for plant operators, and can help maintain the continuity of RNG supply if granted AMP certification by the EPA.

Mr. Jones concluded: “The AMP is all about offering options to the industry. We recognize that the long lead times and high-up front costs of a gas chromatograph make them impractical for many businesses, which is why we’re offering an alternative route forward with the solutions that have already served the industry so well for so long.

“The use of gas analyzers goes back as far as biogas production itself, and our hope is that our equipment can continue to be used for this application under the AMP, as it was for decades before its introduction. It’s great to see that the EPA has listened to the industry on this core issue, and we eagerly await their review of our submission.”

For information on the products mentioned in this piece, please visit:

• Biogas 3000
• Biomethane 3000