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Making heavy industry cleaner, sustainable, more profitable.

Category: RNG

18 posts

Biogas and landfill gas, generated from organic waste and decaying materials, hold tremendous potential as sustainable energy sources. To harness their full value and minimize greenhouse gas emissions, these gases can be upgraded and converted to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). RNG, also known as biomethane, is a valuable commodity that can be sold to commercial pipelines.

In this article, we will explore the process of upgrading raw biogas and landfill gas to meet the specifications required for RNG production and distribution.

Understanding Biogas and Landfill Gas

Biogas and landfill gas are both produced through anaerobic digestion—the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas is typically derived from agricultural waste, sewage sludge and food waste, while landfill gas is generated as a result of the decomposition of organic materials in landfills. These gases primarily consist of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), with smaller quantities of other gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Challenges and Benefits of Upgrading

Raw biogas and landfill gas contain impurities such as water vapor, sulfur compounds, siloxanes and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which need to be removed or reduced to meet the specifications required for RNG. Upgrading the gas serves several key purposes:

  1. Purity: Removal of impurities, especially H2S, ensures that RNG meets the quality standards necessary for injection into natural gas pipelines. This process maximizes the energy content and facilitates the integration of RNG into existing gas infrastructure.
  2. Environmental Benefits: Upgrading raw biogas and landfill gas significantly reduces their environmental impact. By removing impurities like CO2, RNG from Dairy and Swine feedstocks can have a carbon-neutral or even carbon-negative profile, making it an eco-friendly alternative.
  3. Financial Viability: Converting raw biogas and landfill gas into RNG enhances their economic value. RNG can be sold as a renewable energy commodity, attracting financial incentives, grants, and credits while also diversifying revenue streams for waste management facilities or biogas plant operators.

The Upgrading Process

The process of upgrading raw biogas and landfill gas involves multiple stages to achieve the desired purity and composition for RNG production. The common steps include:

  1. Conditioning: In this stage, the raw biogas or landfill gas is treated to remove moisture, particulate matter, and H2S Water vapor is condensed and removed through cooling, while solid particles are filtered out.
  2. CO2 Removal: To meet RNG specifications, the CO2 content must be reduced. Several technologies, such as pressure swing adsorption (PSA) and membrane separation, are employed to selectively remove CO2 from the gas mixture.
  3. Trace Impurity Removal: Further purification is necessary to remove trace impurities, including siloxanes and VOCs, which can cause equipment damage and reduce the quality of RNG. Technologies like activated carbon filters and thermal oxidation units are commonly used for this purpose.

The Importance of H2S Removal

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a common impurity found in raw biogas and landfill gas. It is a corrosive and toxic gas that not only poses risks to equipment and infrastructure but also affects the overall quality and marketability of RNG. The presence of H2S in the gas stream can lead to operational challenges, reduced energy content, and increased maintenance costs. Therefore, effective removal of H2S is essential to meet the stringent standards required for RNG production.

Read our blog Meeting RNG Pipeline Specifications – The H2S Imperative

Traditional Techniques for H2S Removal

Several traditional techniques are employed to remove H2S from raw biogas and landfill gas during the upgrading process. Some of the commonly used methods include:

  • Chemical Absorption: Chemical absorption involves passing the gas stream through an absorbent solution that selectively reacts with H2S, forming non-volatile compounds. One widely used absorbent is amine-based compounds, such as monoethanolamine (MEA) or diethanolamine (DEA). These chemicals have a high affinity for H2S and can effectively remove it from the gas mixture. The H2S is not destroyed and must be thermally oxidized, creating air pollution, of otherwise disposed.
  • Biological Desulfurization: Biological desulfurization, also known as biodesulfurization or biogas desulfurization, employs specialized microorganisms to metabolize H2S present in the gas stream. These microorganisms convert H2S into elemental sulfur, which can be easily separated from the gas. Biological desulfurization offers an environmentally friendly and cost-effective approach to H2S removal. The primary downside to biologic methods is that they typically require a time-consuming startup period and are highly sensitive to changes in gas stream temperature, volume and composition. Surge production, for example, can overwhelm a biologic desulfurization unit resulting in extended downtime.  At lower operating pressure additional treatment might be required to meet pipeline specifications.
  • Solid Bed Adsorption: Solid bed adsorption involves using adsorbents, such as activated carbon or iron oxide-based materials, to adsorb H2S molecules from the gas stream. As the gas passes through the adsorbent bed, H2S adheres to the surface of the material, resulting in purified gas. Periodic replacement or regeneration of the adsorbent is necessary to maintain its effectiveness. Spent media must be changed and disposed of, having similar downsides to chemical absorbents.  This works well for low concentrations of  H2S, but becomes expensive, hard to change out and creates logistics headaches when  H2S concentrations are higher.

Next Generation Liquid Redox for Removing H2S in Biogas-to-RNG Upgrading

The VALKYRIE® H2S removal system from Streamline Innovations utilizes a Liquid Redox process for converting H2S into elemental sulfur and water vapor. VALKYRIE next generation Liquid Redox employs TALON® chemistry, our non-toxic, biodegradable chemistry to remove  H2S and convert it into elemental sulfur (Reduction) and then regenerated and used again by exposure to oxygen (Oxidation).

A key benefit of the VALKYRIE ECO H2S removal system is its ability to treat to non-detect levels from a single skid without any additional conditioning equipment.

Benefits of the VALKRYIE gas treating system:

  • A green solution that converts H2S  into benign substances including water and elemental sulfur
  • Universal application for biogas, landfill gas and oil and gas production
  • Widest operating envelope of any H2S Treating method extending across the full spectrum of pressures, flow rates and H2S concentrations
  • Treating to established specifications for sales pipelines, gas lift and fuel gas
  • Flexibility of placement along the production stream whether at the anaerobic digester, at a landfill, wellhead, refinery, in a direct or tail gas treating configuration
  • High turndown
  • Specialize in meeting the most stringent outlet specifications
  • Made in the USA

VALKYRIE H2S treating technology gives biogas and landfill gas producers a smart, economical and sustainable method for H2S removal in the Biogas-to-RNG upgrading process.

Learn more about Streamline’s VALKRYIE ECO and ECO FLEX Biogas-to-RNG Upgrading Technology.

Summary

H2S removal plays a critical role in the upgrading process of raw biogas and landfill gas for RNG production. By effectively removing H2S, the quality, marketability, and environmental impact of the final product are significantly improved.

Streamline VALKYRIE liquid redox technology provides biogas and landfill gas operators a proven, robust, and green method for permanently removing H2S from their RNG feedstocks.

About Streamline Innovations

Streamline Innovations’ vision is Eliminating Emissions Through Technology. We help heavy industry around the world achieve environmental performance objectives, improve sustainability, and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Streamline’s environmentally forward H2S treating solutions help our customers achieve the “E” in ESG. H2S is present in many industrial processes throughout the world, and our technology can be applied across industries, delivering a sustainable solution that eliminates H2S, a leading cause of human inhalation accidents, corrosion and SO2 emissions, a primary cause of acid rain.

We also believe that achieving climate-improving directives requires data. Creating intelligent systems that operate effectively and efficiently without human intervention is critical to measuring and reducing emissions that harm the environment. We integrate advanced process control, data collection and analytics in our technologies to provide a total solution for customers.

We serve organizations in multiple sectors, including Energy/Oil & Gas, Biogas, Landfill Gas & Renewable Fuels, Municipal Wastewater and Industrial Air & Water.

Contacts

General Inquiries:
Randy Rohlfs
Chief Commercial Officer
Randy.Rohlfs@StreamlineInnovations.com

Sales Inquiries:
Jacob Pratt
SVP – Sales
Jacob.Pratt@StreamlineInnovations.com

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 18, 2023) – Streamline Innovations will be participating in the HART Energy SUPER DUG (Developing Unconventional Gas) 2023 conference and exhibition on May 22-24 at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

Interested parties are invited to contact Jacob Pratt, Senior Vice President – Sales, to schedule an appointment to learn more about Streamline’s environmentally friendly solutions for removing H2S from natural gas streams.

VALKYRIE® H2S treating technology from Streamline Innovations provides operators with a reliable and proven solution for treating sour gas, helping oil and gas producers unlock the value of sour gas assets in an environmentally friendly way.

VALKYRIE gas treating units have been operating reliably for oil and gas producers in the Permian Basin and elsewhere, including Chevron Corporation and Franklin Mountain Energy.

Our VALKYRIE H2S treating solutions use TALON® chemistry, a non-toxic and biodegradable Redox substance to remove H2S in an environmentally responsible way. The Simple Elemental Sulfur™ byproduct is approved by Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic food production.

The SUPER DUG Conference & Exhibition describes itself as an event that will attract hundreds of key energy executives across a myriad of disciplines – including oil and gas, midstream, financial and land professionals. These executives will share insights on the current issues and look at the challenges that lie ahead. It will provide a potent mix of relevant content, presented by expert speakers, and impactful networking highly qualified attendees.

About Streamline Innovations

Jacob Pratt
Senior Vice President – Sales
Streamline Innovations, Inc.
Jacob.Pratt@streamlineinnovations.com

About Streamline Innovations

Streamline Innovation’s vision is Eliminating Emissions Through Technology.  We help heavy industry around the world achieve environmental performance objectives, improve sustainability, and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

H2S is present in almost every industrial process in the world.  Our technology can be applied across industries, delivering a sustainable solution that eliminates H2S, the leading cause of acid rain, a deadly greenhouse gases dangerous for work and living environments.

Streamline believes that achieving the E (“Environmental”) in ESG requires data. Creating intelligent systems that operate effectively and efficiently without human intervention is critical to reducing emissions that harm the environment.   We integrate advanced data collection, process control, and analytics in our technologies to provide a total solution for customers.

We serve organizations in multiple sectors, including Energy/Oil & Gas, Biogas, Landfill Gas & Renewable Fuels, Municipal Wastewater and Industrial Air & Water.

  • VALKYRIE® next generation liquid redox technology is a green hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal technology to help upgrade biogas and Landfill Gas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG).
  • VALKYRIE H2S treatment converts hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur, OMRI-certified for use in organic food production.
  • VALKYRIE ECO is targeted to the agricultural biogas market and the VALKYRIE ECO FLEX is ideal for Landfill Gas applications.

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, MAY 15, 2023 – Streamline Innovations, Inc. (“Streamline”) announced the introduction of the VALKYRIE® ECO and VALKYRIE ECO FLEX H2S treating solutions configured specifically for agricultural biogas and Landfill Gas (LFG) operations.

The VALKYRIE ECO model is designed for agricultural biogas applications and the VALKYRIE ECO FLEX solution is engineered for larger volume operations, such as landfills. Both units utilize TALON®, a non-toxic and biodegradable Redox chemistry to remove H2S in an environmentally responsible way.

Streamline’s products are manufactured and assembled in the USA.

The enclosed, skid-mounted VALKYRIE ECO unit is ideal for H2S removal as part of the biogas-to-RNG upgrading process.

David Sisk, Streamline’s Chief Executive Officer said, “The introduction of the VALKYRIE ECO and ECO FLEX solutions comes right as the Biogas-to-RNG market is rapidly gaining momentum. RNG project developers need a reliable, proven and environmentally sustainable solution for purifying biogas of hydrogen sulfide in the RNG upgrading process so they can sell it into commercial pipelines. VALKYRIE H2S treating technology has been working successfully for years in Oil & Gas and other industries, and its application to the RNG market is a natural extension of this innovative yet proven approach.”

Legacy methods for treating H2S have notable downsides, including handling and disposal of hazardous spent media as well as excessive downtime while biological treatment colonies repopulate. Streamline Innovation’s robust Next Generation Liquid Redox process converts H2S into elemental sulfur and water vapor. The Simple Elemental Sulfur™ byproduct is approved by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic food production.

Both the VALKYRIE ECO and VALKYRIE ECO FLEX are designed to work effectively in the lower gas pressure environments typically found in biogas and Landfill Gas applications. Importantly, the VALKYRIE ECO FLEX model uses a modular design that allows customers to scale treating capacity in increments to meet individual LFG gas stream volumes.  

Biogas contaminated with H2S flows through the VALKYRIE H2S treating units containing specialized TALON catalyst, and then exits free of H2S, ready for additional treating to remove other contaminants such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and siloxanes, among others. The VALKYRIE ECO and VALKYRIE ECO FLEX are designed to remove H2S to levels that meet commercial pipeline specifications without additional polishing.

Visit the VALKYRIE Biogas-to-RNG web page for more information on Streamline’s green solutions for H2S treating.

About Streamline Innovations

Streamline Innovations’ vision is Eliminating Emissions Through Technology. We help heavy industry around the world achieve environmental performance objectives, improve sustainability, and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

Streamline’s environmentally forward H2S treating solutions help our customers achieve the “E” in ESG. H2S is present in many industrial processes throughout the world, and our technology can be applied across industries, delivering a sustainable solution that eliminates H2S, a leading cause of human inhalation accidents, corrosion and SO2 emissions, a primary cause of acid rain.

We also believe that achieving climate-improving directives requires data. Creating intelligent systems that operate effectively and efficiently without human intervention is critical to measuring and reducing emissions that harm the environment. We integrate advanced process control, data collection and analytics in our technologies to provide a total solution for customers.

We serve organizations in multiple sectors, including Energy/Oil & Gas, Biogas, Landfill Gas & Renewable Fuels, Municipal Wastewater and Industrial Air & Water.

Contacts

General Inquiries:
Randy Rohlfs
Chief Commercial Officer
Streamline Innovations, Inc.
Randy.Rohlfs@StreamlineInnovations.com

Sales Inquiries:
Jacob Pratt
SVP – Sales
Jacob.Pratt@StreamlineInnovations.com

SAN ANTONIO, TX (May 9, 2023) – Streamline Innovations will be participating in the Biogas Americas 2023 conference, hosted by the American Biogas Council in Chicago, IL on May 15-18 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel.

VALKYRIE H2S treating technology from Streamline Innovations provides RNG project developers and operators a reliable, proven and environmentally sustainable solution for purifying biogas feedstocks of hydrogen sulfide in the RNG upgrading process so they can sell it to commercial pipelines.

Our VALKYRIE® H2S treating solutions use TALON® chemistry, a non-toxic and biodegradable Redox substance to remove H2S in an environmentally responsible way. The Simple Elemental Sulfur™ byproduct is approved by Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic food production.

Representatives from Streamline Innovations will be at the conference, and interested parties are encouraged to schedule a meeting while at the conference.

Biogas Americas 2023 describes itself as the largest biogas conference and tradeshow in North America and is the annual conference of the American Biogas Council (ABC). ABC is the voice of the U.S. biogas industry dedicated to maximizing carbon reduction and economic growth using biogas systems. Whether you are a project developer, equipment supplier, service provider, operator, investor, utility, policymaker, or anyone whose success depends on the growth and profitability of biogas as a resource, there is no better way to build your business and stay informed of the latest developments in the industry.

Contact

Jacob Pratt
Senior Vice President – Sales
Streamline Innovations, Inc.
Jacob.Pratt@streamlineinnovations.com

About Streamline Innovations

Streamline Innovation’s vision is Eliminating Emissions Through Technology.  We help heavy industry around the world achieve environmental performance objectives, improve sustainability, and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

H2S is present in almost every industrial process in the world.  Our technology can be applied across industries, delivering a sustainable solution that eliminates H2S, the leading cause of acid rain, a deadly greenhouse gases dangerous for work and living environments.

Streamline believes that achieving the E (“Environmental”) in ESG requires data. Creating intelligent systems that operate effectively and efficiently without human intervention is critical to reducing emissions that harm the environment.   We integrate advanced data collection, process control, and analytics in our technologies to provide a total solution for customers.

We serve organizations in multiple sectors, including Energy/Oil & Gas, Biogas, Landfill Gas & Renewable Fuels, Municipal Wastewater and Industrial Air & Water.

The world’s population continues to grow, driving future energy demand higher. In addition, as more societies across the globe become more prosperous, they tend to adopt a more energy-intensive lifestyle. As we noted in our blog article, Gas Treating Solutions for Renewable Natural Gas, a growing human population is anticipated to have an increasingly significant impact on the generation of emissions associated with climate change:

The World Bank forecasts solid waste will increase nearly 70% by 2050, as the world population grows. Landfills are significant sources of methane emissions. An article in Science Advances describes using satellite imagery and analysis to estimate that landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions globally, trailing oil & gas systems and agriculture.

Capturing the methane produced by landfills and agricultural operations and using it as an energy source represents a unique opportunity to both meet future energy needs while reducing the impact of emissions.

Against this backdrop, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is expected to play an important role in providing affordable and reliable energy to a growing global population.

The H2S Treating Imperative for Biogas-to-RNG Upgrading

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines RNG as “…anaerobically-generated biogas that has been upgraded (or refined) for use in place of fossil natural gas. Raw biogas typically has a CH4 content between 45 and 65 percent, depending on the source of the biogas, and must go through a series of steps to be converted into RNG.”

Commercial pipelines typically require natural gas to have methane (CH4) content ranging between 85% to 95%, with the remainder typically consisting of Natural Gas Liquids (NGLs), such as ethane, butane, and other substances. Some pipelines are more stringent than others.

Since raw biogas typically has methane content between 45-60%, it must be upgraded to meet pipeline quality specifications. This biogas-to-RNG upgrading process involves removing a myriad of contaminants, including hydrogen sulfide (H2S), water, oxygen, carbon dioxide, siloxanes, and other substances.

H2S is one of the most common contaminants of biogas sourced from Anaerobic Digesters and Landfills. It is highly corrosive to metal pipelines, valves, and other equipment, making it an imperative to keep H2S out of the natural gas distribution system to avoid the risk of a catastrophic failure.

Commercial Pipeline Specifications for H2S

The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) reports that there are approximately 210 natural gas pipeline systems with approximately 3 million miles of mainline and other gas pipelines in the nation’s pipeline infrastructure linking producers with consumers.

Each of these pipelines has specification for natural gas, mandating ranges for gas composition, including levels of H2S.

Sources providing insight into H2S levels for pipeline quality gas include:

  • Penn State University lists typical natural gas composition specifications in its Petroleum Processing course, and notes in its Specifications for Pipeline Quality Gas the amount of H2S must be at “trace levels” ranging between 0.25 and 0.3 grains per 100 standard cubic feet.
  • As previously noted in our article Gas Treating – Processing Solutions for Multiple Industries, the University of Texas found that the interstate pipeline specifications for H2S range between 0.25 grains per 100 standard cubic feet to 1.0 grains.
  • Pacific Gas & Electric specifies that for its pipeline system, natural gas from California gas wells and received from out of state sources “…shall contain no more than 0.25 grain (4 ppm) of hydrogen sulfide per one hundred standard cubic feet.”

Biogas and Landfill Gas operators need a flexible, sustainable, and cost effective method for removing H2S for upgrading their gas feedstocks to valuable RNG.

Liquid Redox Solution for Removing H2S in Biogas-to-RNG Upgrading

The VALKYRIE® H2S removal system from Streamline Innovations utilizes a Liquid Redox process for converting H2S into elemental sulfur and water vapor. VALKYRIE next generation Liquid Redox employs TALON® chemistry, our non-toxic, biodegradable chemistry to remove H2S and convert it into elemental sulfur (Reduction) and then regenerated and used again by exposure to oxygen (Oxidation).

Benefits of the VALKRYIE gas treating system:

  • A green solution that converts H2S into benign substances including water and elemental sulfur
  • Universal application for biogas, landfill gas and oil and gas production
  • Widest operating envelope of any H2S Treating method extending across the full spectrum of pressures, flow rates and H22S concentrations
  • Treating to established specifications for sales pipelines, gas lift and fuel gas
  • Flexibility of placement along the production stream whether at the anaerobic digester, at a landfill, wellhead, refinery, in a direct or tail gas treating configuration
  • High turndown
  • Specialize in meeting the most stringent outlet specifications
  • Made in the USA

VALKYRIE H2S treating technology gives biogas and landfill gas producers a smart, economical and sustainable method for H2S removal in the Biogas-to-RNG upgrading process.

Contact us today to learn more about Next Generation Liquid Redox H2S treating technology and determine if the VALKYRIE system is right for your operation.


Citations and Resources

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, An Overview of Renewable Natural Gas from Biogas, July 2020.

PennState University, Natural Gas Composition and Specifications.

U.S. Energy Information Agency, Natural Gas Explained, Natural Gas Pipelines.

U.S. Energy Information Agency, About U.S. Natural Gas Pipelines – Transporting Natural Gas.

Pacific Gas & Electric, California Gas Transmission – Pipeline Ranger – Sulfur.

The Role of Renewable Natural Gas (RNG)

Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is poised to play an essential role in helping provide reliable energy to a growing world population while reducing emissions of methane and other substances that cause climate change.

The World Bank forecasts solid waste will increase nearly 70% by 2050, as the world population grows. Landfills are significant sources of methane emissions. An article in Science Advances describes using satellite imagery and analysis to estimate that landfills are the third largest source of methane emissions globally, trailing oil & gas systems and agriculture.

The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition) notes, “Because RNG captures emissions from society’s waste streams and redeems its energy value, it has the lowest lifecycle carbon intensity (CI) of any clean energy source available today. RNG helps decarbonize energy and combats climate change.”

RNG is not just about landfills, it is potentially about all organic wastes.  For example, agricultural operations are the second largest source of methane emissions. According to U.S. Dairy, there are approximately 29,000 dairy farms in the United States, supplying humans with nutrient-dense milk and other dairy products. Cows stand at the top of the dairy product stream providing the milk supply, but their manure is a significant source of methane emissions. Collecting the manure into Anaerobic Digesters and capturing the methane it produces as it breaks down creates a potentially lucrative source of biogas.

Simply put, RNG whether it is sourced from landfills or agricultural operations is a win-win for humanity and the environment.

The Problem with Selling Biogas and Landfill Gas

Biogas and landfill gas in their raw states have some of the same problems that affect geologic natural gas produced from oil and gas wells – these raw gas streams typically contain impurities at levels that often exceed pipeline specification. Most commercial pipelines have specifications for contaminants, including oxygen, hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and other substances, to protect infrastructure and maintain safety.

Before biogas and landfill gas can be added to the gas grid, it must be upgraded or purified into RNG by removing carbon dioxide and other contaminants such as H2S, water, oxygen, and siloxanes to meet pipeline specifications. Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is one of the most common contaminants of gas sourced from Anaerobic Digesters and Landfills, however, H2S is highly corrosive to metal pipelines, valves, and other equipment. It is critical to keep H2S out of the system to avoid the risk of a catastrophic failure.

As we noted in our article Gas Treating – Processing Solutions for Multiple Industries, The University of Texas found that the interstate pipeline specifications for H2S range between 0.25 grains per 100 cubic feet to 1.0 grains. Natural gas producers must take steps to decontaminate, purify and/or otherwise upgrade their produced gas to meet pipeline specifications.

Gas Treating for Upgrading to RNG

In our article, Gas Sweetening, Sour Gas Treatment Strategies by Volume, we identified the three primary categories of gas treating to remove H2S from landfill gas, biogas and natural gas produced from oil and gas wells:

  • Scavengers and Adsorbents
  • Catalytic reactions
  • Mechanical destruction or Injection into disposal wells

Conventional H2S treatment methods, including scavengers, adsorbents and catalytic reactions are plagued with a variety of downsides:

  • Create negative downstream processing effects
  • Require the use of chemicals that can be expensive and present a safety risk
  • Require the disposal of contaminated media, creating environmental and safety risks
  • Operational complexity, requiring frequent oversight on location and problem solving

Liquid Redox Solution for Gas Treating

In our VALKYRIE™ H2S removal system, we have commercialized a Redox (Reduction-Oxidation) process for converting H2S into elemental sulfur using chemistry (Reduction) that can be regenerated and be used again by exposure to air (Oxidation).

The gas (i.e., Methane, CO2, other process gases) containing the H2S exits the system sweet (without H2S) and the elemental sulfur is filtered from the regenerated chemistry where the chemistry is recirculated to perform the reaction again and the sulfur is collected in a container available for reuse or disposal.

The VALKYRIE system utilizes TALON® chemistry, our non-toxic, biodegradable Redox chemistry. In combination with our advanced automation and control technology, we have created “The Next Generation Redox” system.

Benefits of the VALKRYIE gas treating system:

  • A green solution that converts H2S into benign substances including water and elemental sulfur
  • Universal application for biogas, landfill gas and oil and gas production
  • Widest operating envelope of any H2S Treating method extending across the full spectrum of pressures, flow rates and H2S concentrations
  • Treating to established specifications for sales pipelines, gas lift and fuel gas
  • Flexibility of placement along the production stream whether at the anaerobic digester, at a landfill, wellhead, refinery, in a direct or tail gas treating configuration
  • 100% turndown

We specialize in meeting the most stringent outlet specifications.

Citations

World Bank press release, September 20, 2018

EPA Livestock Anaerobic Digester Database

Physics.org, Satellite data finds landfills are methane ‘super emitters’ 

U.S. Dairy, How Dairy Farmers Are Reducing Methane And Greenhouse Gas Emissions

SAN ANTONIO, TX (December 7, 2022) – Jacob Pratt, Senior Vice President of Sales with Streamline Innovations, Inc. (“Streamline”) will be attending the annual RNG Conference 2022 on December 12-15, 2022. The conference venue is the Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach Resort & Club in Dana Point, California.

Interested parties are invited to schedule an appointment with Jacob to learn more about Streamline’s solutions for removing H2S from biogas produced from Anaerobic Digestion and Landfills.

Streamline’s proven biodegradable chemistry and processes convert toxic H2S into OMRI Certified elemental sulfur and water, which can be cleanly disposed of or used in agriculture as fertilizer. Many alternative treatment solutions result in hazardous or toxic byproducts that require special handling.  In addition, Streamline’s chemistry is regenerative, leaving a small environmental footprint and consuming much less raw materials than scavengers and adsorbent media, while handling changes in flow and concentration better than biological solutions.

Streamline’s VALKRYIE® ECO™ solution is highly effective in removing H2S from low pressure gas streams (-1 to 3 psig) with high and/or variable H2S concentrations.

The Renewable Natural Gas Conference is managed by The Coalition for Renewable Natural Gas (RNG Coalition), which serves as the public policy advocate and education platform for Renewable Natural Gas in North America. The RNG Conference boasts registered attendance of nearly 1,000 industry leaders, including executives, principals and decision-makers from across the RNG value and supply chain.

Contact

Jacob Pratt
Senior Vice President – Sales
Streamline Innovations, Inc.
Jacob.Pratt@streamlineinnovations.com

About Streamline Innovations

Streamline Innovation’s vision is Eliminating Emissions Through Technology.  We help heavy industry around the world achieve environmental performance objectives, improve sustainability, and transition to a sustainable, low-carbon economy.

H2S is present in almost every industrial process in the world.  Our technology can be applied across industries, delivering a sustainable solution that eliminates H2S, the leading cause of acid rain, a deadly greenhouse gases dangerous for work and living environments.

Streamline believes that achieving the E (“Environmental”) in ESG requires data. Creating intelligent systems that operate effectively and efficiently without human intervention is critical to reducing emissions that harm the environment.   We integrate advanced data collection, process control, and analytics in our technologies to provide a total solution for customers.

We serve organizations in multiple sectors, including Energy/Oil & Gas, Biogas, Landfill Gas & Renewable Fuels, Municipal Wastewater and Industrial Air & Water.

The Importance of Natural Gas

Every realistic forecast of energy demand recognizes the critical role of natural gas in fulfilling future energy needs. The U.S. Energy Information Agency (EIA) forecasts that natural gas consumption will keep growing through 2050, maintaining the second-largest market share overall.

In the EIA Reference case (base case charts referenced above), the industrial sector has the largest share of natural gas consumption, starting in the early 2020s, driven by greater use of natural gas as a feedstock in the chemical industries and by increased heat-and-power consumption across multiple industries.

Where Does Natural Gas Come From?

Natural gas most commonly is produced from oil and gas wells. The consistency of the produced gas varies widely in North America, based on the characteristics of the oil and gas reservoir from which it was produced. More recently, however, gas production from sources other than the oil and gas industry are becoming more prominent.

  • Oil and gas. “Natural gas,” as it is most commonly thought of is produced from oil and gas wells.
  • Biogas. Produced from agricultural operations or other sources of organic wastes using anaerobic digesters to convert waste organic materials into methane and other gasses are a growing source of “natural” gas.
  • Landfill gas. Landfills are often prolific sources of methane production.  Landfills have long been gathering gas to prevent leakage, but more and more they are producing gas commercially.
  • Renewable Natural Gas (RNG). Before biogas and landfill gas can be added to the gas grid, it must be upgraded or purified into RNG by removing carbon dioxide and other contaminants t  such as H2S, water, oxygen, and siloxanes to meet pipeline specifications.

Why Does Natural Gas Need to be Treated?

Natural gas produced from oil and gas wells, landfills or agricultural operations (biogas) almost always contains contaminants that must be removed before it can be sold commercially into a pipeline.

Midstream operators, namely pipeline transportation companies, have stringent specifications for natural gas quality to protect infrastructure and maintain safety. H2S is highly corrosive to metal pipelines, valves and other equipment. It is critical to keep H2S out of the system to avoid the risk of a catastrophic failure.

The University of Texas found that the pipeline specifications for H2S, for example, for interstate pipelines range between 0.25 grains per 100 cubic feet to 1.0 grains. The same study also discovered that the typical oxygen content specification ranged between 0.2% to 1.0% by volume. Natural gas producers must take steps to decontaminate, purify and/or otherwise upgrade their produced gas to meet pipeline specifications.

Gas Treating for Industry

Given the importance of natural gas to meeting future energy demand and reducing emissions of Greenhouse gasses, gas treating to remove contaminants becomes a critical problem to solve.

In our article, Gas Sweetening, Sour Gas Treatment Strategies by Volume, we covered how natural gas, biogas, and water that contain sulfur compounds or ammonia are considered “sour.” In low concentrations, these contaminants can cause maleficent odors, and in higher concentrations they can create serious hazards to both infrastructure and human health.

We identified the three primary categories of gas treating to remove H2S from landfill gas, biogas and natural gas produced from oil and gas wells:

  • Scavengers and Adsorbents
  • Catalytic reactions
  • Mechanical destruction or Injection

Conventional H2S treatment methods, including scavengers, adsorbents and catalytic reactions are plagued with a variety of downsides:

  • Create negative downstream processing effects
  • Require the use of chemicals that can be expensive and present a safety risk
  • Require the disposal of contaminated media, creating environmental and safety risks
  • Operational complexity, requiring frequent oversight on location and problem solving

Liquid Redox Solution for Gas Treating

In our VALKYRIE™ H2S removal system, we have commercialized a Redox (Reduction-Oxidation) process for converting H2S into elemental sulfur using chemistry (Reduction) that can be regenerated and be used again by exposure to oxygen (Oxidation).

The gas (i.e., Methane, CO2, other process gases) or air containing the H2S exits the system sweet (without H2S) and the elemental sulfur is filtered from the regenerated chemistry where the chemistry is recirculated to perform the reaction again and the sulfur is collected in a container available for reuse or disposal.

The VALKYRIE system utilizes TALON® chemistry, our non-toxic, biodegradable Redox chemistry. In combination with our advanced automation and control technology, we have created “The Next Generation Redox” system.

Benefits of the VALKRYIE gas treating system:

  • A green solution that converts H2S into benign substances including water and elemental sulfur
  • Universal application for biogas, landfill gas and oil and gas production
  • Widest operating envelope of any H2S Treating method extending across the full spectrum of pressures, flow rates and H2S concentrations
  • Treating to established specifications for sales pipelines, gas lift and fuel gas
  • Flexibility of placement along the production stream whether at the anaerobic digester, at a landfill, wellhead, refinery, in a direct or tail gas treating configuration
  • 100% turndown
  • We specialize in meeting the most stringent outlet specifications.

Role of Natural Gas in Reducing Emissions

EIA reports that emissions of CO2, a primary Greenhouse Gas (GHG) have declined substantially, primarily as a result of power generation switching to natural gas away from coal fired power plants. Further, EIA expects adoption of natural gas for power generation to increase through 2050 as it displaces coal as a primary feedstock.

Citations

U.S. Energy Information Agency, Annual Energy Outlook 2022

Interstate Natural Gas – Quality Specifications and Interchangeability, Center for Energy Economics, University of Texas at Austin