The benefits of industrial wastewater treatment don’t stop at the perpetual renewal of our world’s precious water resources.  Many industrial processes (such as wastewater treatment) also result in the production of valuable biogas.

Biogas is a useful renewable energy source with many different potential purposes. It converts easily to mechanical energy, making it a terrific way to generate electricity, heat buildings, and power vehicles. Biogas also burns cleanly, so it’s a completely guilt-free energy source in line with today’s environmentally responsible approach to powering the world.

However, for products derived from wastewater biogas production to be as safe and efficient as possible, they need to be purged of potentially harmful impurities like hydrogen sulfide (H2S) first. Trustworthy removal systems like those available from MV Technologies can help.

What Is Hydrogen Sulfide?

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a highly toxic gaseous byproduct of many different industrial refining processes, including those related to wastewater treatment. Although it is colorless, it’s incredibly foul-smelling, producing a powerful odor most people would compare to sewage or rotten eggs.

However, H2S isn’t just hard on the nose when it’s present. It’s also poisonous and extremely corrosive. It can cause serious health issues in people and other living organisms, up to and including death. The corrosive nature of H2S can also damage the equipment, piping, and machinery used to contain, store, and transport industrial biogas.

Does H2S Affect the Efficiency of Wastewater Biogas?

Unless hydrogen sulfide is adequately monitored and removed during wastewater biogas production, you’ll wind up with a product that’s well below par on several levels. The gas's toxic nature makes it bad for your equipment and likely deadly to use, as it can make you very sick. It’s also potentially unstable and can be explosive.

H2S also affects the efficiency of the product itself. H2S-contaminated biogas produces significantly less energy than a purified alternative. It’s also significantly less valuable and can potentially expose producers to liability issues.

Biogas producers should view H2S removal as a mandatory part of wastewater biogas production. Proper removal produces a significantly better product and is necessary in most cases to ensure compliance with any applicable regulations.

What Are the Best H2S Removal Methods for Wastewater Plants?

Biogas develops (and is subsequently collected) during wastewater treatment within anaerobic digester lagoons. It’s then purified for safety and efficiency before sale, shipping, or use.

H2S removal from wastewater treatment biogas is a chemical process that can occur in several different ways. The most common options include:

• Catalytic conversion processes that transform H2S into much less toxic substances, such as elemental sulfur
• Biological processes involving bacterial organisms capable of consuming the H2S
• Absorption of the H2S into water, caustic solutions, and other liquid compounds
• Adsorption into solid media like iron oxide, activated charcoal, and similar substances

Choosing the right removal method for your wastewater treatment plant is naturally part of efficient biogas quality assurance, but the removal system you choose matters, as well.

Advanced H2S scrubber systems from a manufacturer like MV Technologies ensure safe, consistent, economical biogas purification. They’re also the best possible ways to make sure both your product and your H2S removal process are fully compliant legally.

Contact MV Technologies today for a quote on a custom H2S removal system ideal for your wastewater treatment facility.