This post is a part of BioBiz’s Bio-CNG Perspectives.
BioBiz, a division of EAI, is a leading market intelligence & strategic consulting firm for the Indian bio-based sectors.
This blog post uses the terms bio-CNG and renewable natural gas (RNG) interchangeably.
Bio-CNG or bio-compressed natural gas, also known as sustainable natural gas or biomethane, is a biogas which has been upgraded to a quality similar to fossil natural gas and having a methane concentration of 90% or greater. As the gas is derived from natural and renewable sources, it is also termed renewable natural gas (RNG).
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Feedstock analysis is crucial in order to properly evaluate feedstocks for use in an anaerobic digestion processes. Of particular importance is the biomethane potential (BMP). Here, samples of feedstock are tested in the laboratory with an anaerobic inoculum and the biogas produced is measured. This biogas is analysed to determine the biomethane potential. Apart from this test, other tests to evaluate the feedstock include those to analyse the composition of organic matter, C:N ratio, presence of any toxic compounds etc.
This blog post provides details on the prominent biogas feedstock testing laboratories in India.
Biogas feedstock testing laboratories
The following are some of the reputed laboratories who undertake a detailed testing and analysis of various feedstocks that can be used for production of bio-CNG.
1. SGS Group
SGS is a leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. With more than 94,000 employees, they operate a network of more than 2,600 offices and laboratories around the world. Their core services include inspection, testing, certification and verification. In response to the growth of the biofuels market, SGS offers testing services to all aspects of the biofuel supply chain. This includes testing of raw biomass products, process optimisation and testing, as well as emissions trading certification including specialist products for the aviation and marine transport sectors.
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra
Contact: 91 (0) 22 6640 8888; Chennai – 044 66139000/001/002/003
Website: https://www.sgsgroup.in/
2. Intertek
Intertek is a Total Quality Assurance provider to industries worldwide. Through their global network of state-of-the-art facilities and industry-leading technical expertise, they provide Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification services to customers.
Intertek Total Quality Assurance expertise supports the entire supply chain for biodiesel, ethanol, biomass, and other biofuels. It provides an extensive range of services in biofuels quality control, contamination analysis, quality confirmation, trace residual analysis and related quality services. They follow all the international standards such as ASTM, IP, API, EN and ISO.
Contact: 91 11 41595408
Website: https://www.intertek.com/
3. NCCRD
National Centre for Combustion Research and Development (NCCRD) is founded by the Combustion Institute – Indian Section and funded by the Department of Science and Technology at Indian Institute of Technology Madras and at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. NCCRD underlines the growing recognition of combustion and its importance on energy and environment.
The Fuel Characterization Laboratory of NCCRD is focused on developing core competency in characterization of a range of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels including coal, biomass, solid wastes, ash, char, hydrocarbon fuels, bio-oils, biofuels, biogas and other refuse-derived fuels. The lab houses a comprehensive set of state-of-the-art analytical instruments to characterize the physicochemical, structural, thermophysical, surface and electrophysical properties of energy materials.
Location: IIT Madras, Chennai
Contact: nccrdcc@gmail.com ; Ph: +91 44 22579860/62/80
Website: http://nccrd.in/
4. Centre for Energy, IIT Guwahati
IIT Guwahati’s Centre for Energy houses a state of the art analytical lab for both quantitative and qualitative analysis. Some of the tests that can performed here are – Characterization of fuels (Calorific value, viscosity, flash point, fire point, cloud & pour point, cetane index) Proximate as well as ultimate analysis Gas Chromatograph analysis
Location: Guwahati
Contact: 91-361-2583150; energyoff@iitg.ac.in
Website: https://www.iitg.ac.in/ceer/index.html
5. Eurofins Environmental Laboratories
Eurofins Scientific offers testing services in the field of food, environment, pharmaceuticals and agroscience. In the environment sector, different types of wastes including hazardous wastes are being characterized for their chemical composition. Testing services are also being offered for different types of fuels for calorific level, CO2 analysis and more.
Location: New Delhi
Contact: 91 11 40522000
Website: https://www.eurofins.com/
6. IIT Varanasi
Indian Biogas Association in coordination with the German Biogas Association has facilitated setting-up of a state-of-the-art biogas laboratory at Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi. The comprehensive testing biogas lab facility at the premises of IIT-BHU is equipped to perform feedstock analysis and various stability tests of digester substrate, like Dry matter, Organic Dry Matter, Biogas Production Potential (BPP), Total Alkalinity, Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA), FOS/TAC, dissolved Ammonia, dissolved Hydrogen Sulphide, Acid Spectrum (C2-C6), BOD, COD, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), nutrient analysis (N, P, K), and so on.
Location: Varanasi
Contact: mail.iitbhu.ac.in
Website: https://www.iitbhu.ac.in/
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Interesting web resources
- C2V – CO2 to Value – a comprehensive web resource providing insights on opportunities in converting CO2 into a range of useful products – fuels, chemicals, food & materials
- All about CO2 – CO2 Q&A – a unique resource providing answers to 100+ questions on the most talked about gas today.
