The Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs) require continuous monitoring and assurance that the odorant added at Biogas Entry Facilities results in the correct concentration of odorant being present in the biogas being injected onto the gas network to meet regulatory compliance standards. 

Currently, laboratory spot samples and trained Rhinologists can only provide a snapshot in time and not continuous monitoring.  Furthermore, the Rhinologist test is subjective. Masking agents can be present in biogas which may mask the odorants to human olfactory sense and laboratory tests that only identify odorants (and not masking agents that may fail to provide the necessary assurance).

The proposed Rhino OLM system will provide cost effective continuous monitoring and assurance that the correct concentration of odorant is present on the gas injected at the Biogas Entry Facilities, whilst also measuring concentration levels of masking agents.

Objectives

Stage 1
The objective of this stage is to develop and test in the laboratory, calibrated models for the determination of the concentration of TMB and DMS compounds and hence the New Blend odorant.  The GDNs have confirmed that the technology must be capable of reliably measuring New Blend with a concentration range of 5 to 12mg/m3.  5mg/m3 of New Blend equates to 1ppmv of TBM and 0.4ppmv of DMS.

Stage 2
The objective of this stage is to test the technique with ‘real’ gas mixtures.  This is to ensure that other compounds present in the gas mixture do not impact the accuracy of the odorant measurement.

 Stage 3
The objective of this stage is to upgrade the field trial units to operate continuously and provide hourly measurements to enable the long-term measurement stability and performance of the device to be confirmed