The biogas market is growing rapidly, with a projected 4.5% CAGR from 2022 to 2027. With global and national initiatives to reduce carbon emissions such as the Paris Agreement and the UK Net Zeo 2050 goal, biofuels will play a crucial role in meeting those targets. Despite their benefits, biogas facilities face significant safety challenges. Over 160 accidents have been documented from 1995 to 2014, primarily involving fires, explosions, and the release of hazardous gases.
These incidents underscore the urgent need for robust safety measures in the biofuel industry. Particularly for small and medium-scale plants that fall below major accident hazard thresholds. Adopting existing chemical industry standards, such as those from API and NFPA, is essential while developing specific international regulations for biogas production. Mitigation procedures along with safeguards like emergency vents, flame arresters, and PVRVs are critical to incorporate in the design of these biogas facilities. In this white paper, the consequence from a loss of containment event was modeled to emphasize the need for established safety protocols to prevent future incidents and ensure sustainable biogas production.
Figure 8: Simplified schematic of a typical biodigester and possible safeguards
To download our resources, you must become a registered site user. After you register, you will receive an email with a login username and password.