BIOGAS PURIFICATION

CASE STUDY

PURIFYING BIOGAS WITH CABOTS DARCO BG AND DARCO BGH

Better siloxane removal

Improved oil life and engine performance
Better pore size distribution to prolong bed life
Improved purity consistency
Lower operating costs

Cabot Norit Activated Carbons DARCO BG and DARCO BGH deliver exceptional siloxane removal and
improve your biogas purity. DARCO BG and BGH combine a unique raw material and production process
to outperform traditional coal-based pellets and provide performance comparable to segmented activity
gradient (SAG)-layered beds at a fraction of the cost. These unique activated carbons reduce change-out
frequency and deliver a lower total cost of ownership.
In three separate full-scale studies, DARCO BG and DARCO BGH achieved up to 100% removal for
siloxanes, >90% removal of VOCs, and up to 100% removal of TRS.
Biogas
Product
source (US)
used
Digester (Southwest) DARCO BGH
Digester (Northeast)

DARCO BG

Landfill
(Northeast)

DARCO BG

Treatment goal
Siloxane
removal
Siloxane
removal
Siloxane
removal

Equipment
protected
Microturbine

Variables monitored

IC Engine

Siloxanes

Oxidation
catalyst

VOCs, reduced sulphur

species, siloxanes

VOCs, H2S, siloxanes

SOUTHWEST DIGESTER
DARCO BGH doubles bed-life and demonstrates significantly higher siloxane loading capacity.

BIOGAS PURIFICATION
CASE STUDY
SOUTHWEST DIGESTER (CONTINUED)
DARCO BGH was compared to a traditional 3mm coal-based carbon at this 21 mgd wastewater facility
which operates a dual vessel system in series to remove siloxanes, along with H2S and VOC. Results show
DARCO BGH extended the carbon filter bed life by 216% (from 952 hours to 2054 hours). Over a five year
period, using DARCO BGH eliminates more than 24 change-outs.
In addition, test results indicate DARCO BGH has a total siloxane loading capacity between 2.1 and 2.3%
by weight. Comparing these results to published consolidated test results, this loading capacity greatly
exceeds the typical loading capacities for traditional activated carbons and rivals silica gel.

NORTHEAST DIGESTER
DARCO BG outperforms SAG system, improves engine oil life and delivers a cleaner system.
SAG

DARCO BG

Average siloxane concentration

Inlet
1.1

Outlet
0.08

% Removal

93%

Average siloxane concentration

Inlet
2.2

Outlet
0.06

% Removal

97%

DARCO BG was compared to a SAG, or layered bed system at this 100mgd wastewater facility which
operates a dual vessel system in series to remove siloxanes. The SAG material was monitored for 18
weeks. Upon change-out, NORIT RB 40M was evaluated as a control. DARCO BG was installed in the
primary vessel with NORIT RB 40M in the secondary vessel [and evaluated for the same time period].
Results: The addition of DARCO BG enhanced siloxane removal; the average removal efficiency for SAG
was 93%, NORITRB 40M removed 90%, whereas the DARCO BG improved performance to 97%. It was
noted by maintenance personnel that during the DARCO BG trial, engine oil life increased by a factor of
three. In addition, it was noted that spark plugs were noticeably cleaner, or residue-free. Both of these
are indicative of improved siloxane removal.

NORTHEAST LANDFILL
DARCO BG extends bed-life 30% compared to
SAG system.
DARCO BG was evaluated as an alternative to
the SAG products at this landfill which
operates lead/lag system to remove
siloxanes, VOC and H2S. The lead vessel is
changed every 12 days based on historical
bed life experience. After 12 days the DARCO
BG in the first vessel showed additional
capacity for siloxanes and VOC. Extrapolation
of primary vessel breakthrough data suggests
30% improved performance compared to the
normal operating pattern.
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