Part A: Advances in tools and techniques for estimating biogas production and treatment in anaerobic-based STPs Technical Note 5 - Direct combustion of biogas in burners

Abstract

The direct combustion of biogas in burners must be carried out whenever its energy recovery is not technically or economically feasible. Even in STPs that have biogas energy recovery systems, the burners are indispensable (necessary) and must be activated temporarily when there is an excess of biogas production or stops in the systems that process it. The biogas combustion reduces minimizes methane emissions to the atmosphere, contributing to the management of greenhouse gas emissions, in addition to reducing emissions of odorous and corrosive gases, especially hydrogen sulfide. Burners are, therefore, essential to reduce environmental and social impacts inherent to biogas emissions and are even essential for the safety of the STPs infrastructure and the occupational health of operators. In that context, this Technical Note (TN) aims to present the technical elements associated with the direct combustion of biogas in burners, reporting: (i) fundamentals about biogas burning; (ii) types and main characteristics of burners available on the market; (iii) methods for determining burner efficiency; and (iv) criteria for the installation and operation of burners in STPs.