Biogas desulfurisation in the food industry

Solae Belgium SA, part of IFF and based in Ypres, specialises in the production of soy-based vegetable proteins. These proteins are used worldwide in applications within the food sector, the beverage industry and in medical products. During the wastewater treatment process, biogas is released, among other things, which may contain hydrogen sulphide (H₂S). For safe and environmentally friendly operation, it is essential to remove this gas.

Why does hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) need to be removed?

Hydrogen sulphide – also called dihydrogen sulphide or hydrogen disulphide – is a toxic, corrosive and flammable gas with a characteristic smell of rotten eggs. The gas is produced during biodegradation processes of organic matter in oxygen-deficient environments, such as in wastewater treatment plants, food processing, sludge processing and digestion, among others.

H₂S is dangerous even in low concentrations. Prolonged exposure can cause respiratory problems, eye and nasal mucous membrane irritation and nervous system damage. It also corrodes metals and installations due to its corrosive properties.

Biological gas scrubbers: a sustainable solution

To remove H₂S safely and efficiently, a biological scrubber is used at Solae Belgium. This installation uses microbiological processes to break down the gas. Unlike chemical techniques, this process does not require a continuous supply of chemicals, resulting in very low operating costs.

Its operation is based on absorbing H₂S in an aqueous washing liquid, after which micro-organisms convert the gas into harmless substances such as sulphur and sulphate. The system operates continuously and automatically, requiring only minimal maintenance.

High removal efficiency

The biological scrubber achieves a removal efficiency of around 95%, effectively removing the vast majority of hydrogen sulphide from the gas. This avoids odour dispersion into the environment, which can be easily demonstrated by olfactometry or odour measurements. This not only keeps the plant within the applicable environmental standards, but also ensures the comfort of employees and local residents.

Sustainability

Besides its excellent environmental performance, this technology also offers economic advantages. Due to the absence of expensive chemicals and low energy consumption, operating costs are relatively low. This makes the biological scrubber a future-oriented choice for companies striving for sustainable and cost-efficient solutions in their production or processing processes.

Interested in biogas desulfurisation?

Want to know more about how Task deploys biological gas scrubbers for the safe and efficient removal of H₂S from industrial gases? If so, please feel free to contact us for advice or a quotation.