Posted by Glauber Equipment Corporation on | Leave a Comment
Biogas offers a promising source of renewable energy for a wide range of industrial applications. Also known as biomethane or renewable natural gas, this carbon-neutral fuel is made from sources such as food waste, lawn clippings, and manure. This organic waste is broken down to create biogas and nutrient-rich fertilizer.
Natural materials are converted into biogas using three methods:
Anaerobic digestion. Microorganisms break down moist organic material, releasing energy-rich gases. This reaction occurs in a closed container and does not use oxygen.
Thermal gasification. Organic material is heated to temperatures above 600° C. The heat breaks energy bonds in the material, and biogas is released.
Sabatier reaction. Natural materials are heated under pressure. Energy bonds are broken, creating smaller hydrocarbon molecules, which become biogas.
Biogas offers a wide range of features that make it not only environmentally friendly, but fiscally sound. This blog post will discuss the benefits of biogas and why it should be considered over alternative methods.
Environmental Benefits
Unlike fossil fuels, biogas is made from materials that take carbon from the air, making it a carbon-neutral fuel. If these waste products are disposed of in traditional ways, they will break down and produce greenhouse gases anyway. While biogas is a clean-burning source of energy, releasing these gases directly into the atmosphere rather than burning them contributes to the greenhouse effect.
There are multiple benefits of using waste to create biogas, such as:
It keeps the waste out of landfills and water, while it also captures and uses the gas they produce in a positive way.
Using waste to create biogas is an efficient form of waste management. When organic waste is dumped in landfills it breaks down and releases greenhouse gases. Using organic waste to produce biogas reduces the amount of landfill waste by repurposing that waste for beneficial uses.
Waste can be transformed into energy and nutrient-rich fertilizer. That fertilizer is free of weed seeds, so it reduces the need for herbicides when used on crops.
Keeping waste out of landfills also reduces soil and water pollution.
When communities use their own materials to create fuel, it reduces their dependence on foreign sources of energy.
In developing areas, generating biogas helps residents move away from gathering firewood or cooking on open fires.
Financial Benefits
A traditional linear economy is based on acquiring supplies, using them, and then finding a way to dispose of them. In a circular economy, the community creates products, makes use of them, then reuses them. Producing biogas is an excellent example of a circular economy—waste is turned into a usable form of energy, which is used to produce crops and food, which then become waste.
In the process, it also creates sustainable jobs. A low investment cost means even rural communities benefit from the employment opportunities—as well as from the biogas itself. Instead of paying to haul off and dispose of waste, biogas production can replace other costly forms of energy. It doesn’t require extensive transportation or storage compared to other common forms of energy, lowering the cost even more.
While these methods offer broad long-term financial benefits, it should be noted that producing biogases such as Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) can offer significant and immediate tax credits and other financial benefits for providers of renewable fuels. Federal and state programs exist that provide incentives to businesses that produce RNG for use as a transportation fuel, such as:
Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The EPA’s RFS program seeks to replace a particular volume of fossil fuels used in the United States with renewable fuels. All U.S. importers and refiners of oil-based fuels must obtain a certain amount of Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits each year to remain compliant with RFS rules. An RIN is generated each time a producer creates one gallon of renewable fuel, and producers can trade or sell these credits.
Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). Some states have implemented their own reward programs to encourage the use of renewable fuels, such as the LCFS programs in Oregon and California. The latest LCFS changes aim at a 40% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over 1990 levels by 2030. LCFS grants credits to renewable fuel producers, which can then be sold for a profit to other fuel producers to offset the greenhouse gas deficits they create.
Biogas Production from Glauber Equipment
Biogas production benefits local, national, and global economies. It’s a clean, fiscally sound alternative to fossil fuels. By reusing waste to create an important resource, communities keep that waste out of landfills and water. A low investment cost makes this energy resource accessible—even in rural or developing communities.
Glauber Equipment produces a wide range of skid systems and components to support the production of RNG.
Contact Us to speak to one of our experts and learn more about how biogas can benefit your community or company today!
Posted by Glauber Equipment Corporation on | Leave a Comment
Glauber builds well-designed, reliable RNG (Renewable Natural Gas) skid systems to client specifications. We work with customers to develop the highest-quality skid systems that perform well no matter their environment, keeping clients from around the world returning to us again and again.
Our ability to meet specific, complicated, and demanding requirements means that we can install efficient systems in harsh conditions and tight spaces. Recently, we took our skills to Oahu, HI, where we built the region’s first RNG system.
Working in Oahu
To achieve Hawaii’s goal of reducing its reliance on nonrenewable energy sources, Hawaii Gas sought to install a custom RNG skid system for the Honolulu Wastewater Treatment plant. They needed a system that could meet the plant’s gas needs and resist the harsh saltwater conditions present there. Hawaii Gas set strict deadlines for the project, and they requested that our system be capable of easily integrating with other companies’ equipment and controls.
One of our biggest challenges was to create a feed compressor that not only did its job well but also fit smoothly into the membrane container. Doing all this within the client’s relatively short time frame also complicated matters.
Working with natural gas, especially in oceanic environments, creates unique challenges. Fortunately, our RNG skid solutions can adapt to constantly changing environmental conditions without sacrificing their ability to work efficiently.
Our Solution
We used marine-grade materials and components to build RNG skid systems able to resist the constant wear and tear the ocean places on them. Made from specially alloyed stainless and galvanized steel, marine-grade materials hold up to corrosive environments much more effectively than unprepared metals.
Our engineers built the compressor system, complete with fully automated controls, that fit the situation’s restrictive dimensions and that we could smoothly integrate into the wastewater plant’s other systems.
The Result? Client Success
The system’s heat exchanger network not only reduced overall chiller size requirements, but also made the system a great deal more energy efficient than if it had required full load external heating and cooling. Additionally, because we focused on sourcing the best marine-grade materials, Hawaii Gas will see fewer maintenance requirements. Not having to worry about the system breaking down and requiring costly repairs allows the company to dedicate resources to other important matters.
We completed the entire project by the demanding deadline. As soon as the system was in place, Hawaii Gas hosted a blessing ceremony, at which several Hawaii state dignitaries complimented us on our work. This case study is just one example of our commitment to providing customers with the best-functioning RNG skid systems their energy grids need.
When it Comes to RNG Skid Systems, No One Does it Better than Glauber
In the 60+ years we’ve been in the business, we’ve designed and fabricated a wide range of:
Posted by Glauber Equipment Corporation on | Leave a Comment
Choosing the right type of pump for your fluid and air flow needs is an important decision. It requires knowing the difference between centrifugal and positive displacement pumps and how they impact your application.
Centrifugal pumps are the most popular type of pump in the world. They are effective, robust, and relatively easy to use. Positive displacement pumps are commonly utilized in high pressure hydraulic systems.
Basic Comparison
There are several key differences in the way these two types of pumps function and operate.
The mechanical component of centrifugal pumps imparts velocity to the liquid, resulting in a pressure at the outlet. The pressure changes as flow varies, which drives performance. Efficiency decreases as viscosity increases due to frictional losses inside the pump.
On the other hand, positive displacement pumps capture a confined amount of liquid and transfer it from the suction to the discharge port. Flow remains constant under changing pressure.
Applications
Their individual qualities make each type of pump ideal for separate uses.
Centrifugal pump applications include air conditioning, boiler feed, irrigation, light fuel transfer, petrochemical, sea water transfer, water circulation, and general water supply.
Positive displacement pump applications include fuel, dewatering, lubrication oils, waste oils, hydraulics, and mediums containing high levels of solids.
The Pump Experts
Glauber Equipment Corporation will provide answers to any of your fluid and air flow questions. Our staff of highly trained engineers and mechanics offers efficient on-site and depot evaluation and repair services.
Posted by Glauber Equipment Corporation on | Leave a Comment
Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) is a type of biogas obtained from the decomposition of organic matter. The primary sources of RNG include landfills, animal waste, and solid waste recovered from wastewater treatment processes. Once captured, the gas is processed to remove unwanted components such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, and water.
Raw extracted RNG must undergo several processes before it can be sold to the consumer. The equipment necessary for processing RNG is typically contained in structural frame systems known as skids. These skids can include individual or multiple processes depending on the needs of the consumer; Regardless, it is essential to custom-design each skid to suit a facility’s unique processing and spatial requirements.
Glauber Equipment Corporation, Inc. offers a variety of custom skid solutions that can be incorporated into various production systems for complete RNG processing.
Feed Blower/Dehydration
The feed blower is one of the first components in a renewable natural gas processing system. Through the use of centrifugal or positive displacement Compressors, systems increase the pressure of the gas for further processing and compression.
Feed blower skids are almost always combined with dehydration skids for the removal of potentially damaging moisture from feedstock RNG.
Vacuum Blower
Vacuum blowers are used in the CO2/methane membrane separation process. During renewable natural gas processing, CO2 must be removed from the feedstock to ensure the gas meets industry-specific requirements. The vacuum blower creates a negative pressure on the suction side and assists in the separation of CO2 through the membrane using the principle of selective permeation. Vacuum blowers and feed blowers are frequently used together and are usually integrated into a single skid.
Feed Gas Compressor
For separation of CO2 from the desired methane gas, the mixture must be compressed and processed through a series of selective membranes. To address this, a feed gas compressor skid uses rotary vane or screw mechanisms to “squeeze” the gas and create a buildup of pressure on the positive-pressure side of the membrane system. These skids may also consist of a knockout/moisture separator to protect the compressor and downstream equipment from corrosion and other moisture-related deterioration. Depending on the size of the compressor, pressure increases up to 350 psig may be achieved.
Sales Gas Compressor
The sales gas compression is the final stage of renewable natural gas processing. Here, the dry and purified “sales” gas is compressed to enable transportation through utility piping networks. Typically, reciprocating or screw mechanisms are used to compress the gas to the high pressures required at this stage.
Partnering with Glauber Equipment
Glauber Equipment Corporation, Inc. is committed to fabricating custom skid solutions that fit your unique RNG processing needs. Our team of experienced and certified field technicians also provide onsite maintenance and repair services to ensure that your skid systems always function at optimal capacity.
Posted by Glauber Equipment Corporation on | Leave a Comment
At Glauber, we’re always excited when we have the opportunity to share industry expertise with our customers. To that end, we hosted our 2018 Wilden Pump Training—led by…
Tom Zuckett: Wilden’s Northeast Regional Manager
John Wallace: Sales Director – US & Canada.
The event had a great turnout, with more than 25 customers participating in the training session. Tom and John provided the group with an in-depth overview of Wilden pumps, complete with a demonstration of some of the leading products.
What Was Discussed
This year’s training session focused primarily on Wilden’s air operated double diaphragm (AODD) pumps, with ProFlo Shift Technology. These pumps feature a specialized patented design that incorporates the latest innovative technology to maximize the pump’s efficiency. Wilden’s AODD pumps, with ProFlo Shift Technology, increase overall productivity, reduce air and energy consumption, and require significantly less maintenance than many other AODD pump types.
During the training session, the group discussed a wide range of topics related to the AODD pumps, including:
Wilden AODD Pro-Flo®
How AODD pumps work
How AODD air motors work
Best maintenance practices
Best installation practices
Best operational practices
Troubleshooting and repair tips
Demonstration
After going over the main operational features of AODD pumps, John Wallace led the group in a demonstration of the two-inch Wilden pump, featuring Wilden’s ProFlo SHIFT technology. The exercise helped show customers how much Wilden’s ProFlo SHIFT technology can make a difference when it comes to energy savings––giving companies a huge advantage over competitors who may be using less efficient pumps
During this portion of the event, John demonstrated both the two-inch Wilden pump and a competing two-inch pump under the same system conditions – a flow rate of 80 gallons per minute; system head pressure of 15 psi; and the same pressure gauges, fluid flow meter, and air flow meter – to see how they’d perform against one another.
Results
In the end, the results spoke for themselves—successfully showing how the Wilden pump outperforms the leading competing pump in energy savings. The demonstration revealed that the competitor’s pump consumed 39% more standard cubic feet per minute (SCFM) of air than the Wilden pump. Wilden consumed 32 SCFM of air while the competing pump consumed 52 SCFM of air.
The competing pump also exhibited 42% more strokes per minute (s/m) with 198 s/m compared to Wilden’s 116 s/m. Together, these results demonstrated the value of Wilden’s SHIFT technology and how it gives customers an edge over their competitors.
Overall the training was a great success, allowing customers to see firsthand how Wilden’s technology can save them valuable time and money. We enjoyed hosting all of our wonderful participants this year, and we hope to see them again soon at a future event. We also are very grateful to Tom Zuckett and John Wallace for sharing their expertise.
At Glauber Equipment Corporation, we strongly believe in sharing our knowledge and expertise with our industry partners to help one another succeed. Since 1960, we have been a trusted name in providing high-quality
blowers, compressors, and pump systems across upstate and western New York, and we offer a variety of education and training services.
So, if your organization would be interested in a lunch-and-learn session or a basic equipment training, please contact us to learn how we can help. We’d be more than happy to come to your facility and provide a training session for your staff.
1-888-
Unlike fossil fuels, biogas is made from materials that take carbon from the air, making it a carbon-neutral fuel. If these waste products are disposed of in traditional ways, they will break down and produce greenhouse gases anyway. While biogas is a clean-burning source of energy, releasing these gases directly into the atmosphere rather than burning them contributes to the greenhouse effect.
