Biogas

Biogas analysis

Monitor the composition of your biogas

Monitor the composition of your biogas, check that it meets the required standards, and ensure the smooth operation of your anaerobic digestion, injection or energy recovery facilities.

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What is biogas?

Produced as a result of the decomposition of organic matter in the absence of oxygen. Biogas consists mainly of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), but may also contain smaller quantities of hydrogen (H₂), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) or nitrogen (N₂).

It is used either for injection into the natural gas grid or for on-site combustion to produce heat and electricity. Because the composition of biogas can vary over time, its quality must be monitored regularly.

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How is biogas produced?

Biogas is produced through a process called anaerobic digestion. During this process, organic matter is broken down by microorganisms in a dedicated facility called an anaerobic digester.

The process produces two main products:
biogas, which is used as a renewable energy source, and digestate, which is used as a natural fertilizer for agricultural soils.

Why does biogas smell bad?

Biogas contains odorous compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), which has a strong unpleasant smell. These compounds are naturally formed during the breakdown of organic matter in the absence of oxygen.

Although they are not harmful at low concentrations, they can corrode equipment and reduce the quality of the gas. For this reason, biogas and biomethane are purified before being injected into the natural gas grid or used as an energy source.

What is biogas made of?

Biogas is mainly composed of methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). It also contains small amounts of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and ammonia (NH₃).

After desulfurization, dehydration, and carbon dioxide removal, biogas is upgraded to biomethane. Biomethane is a renewable gas with a composition similar to that of natural gas.

What is biogas used for?

Biogas produced by an anaerobic digester can be used in two ways.

It can be used directly in combined heat and power (CHP) systems. In this case, the biogas fuels an engine that generates renewable electricity for the public grid and produces heat.

After purification, biogas is upgraded to biomethane. For safety reasons, biomethane is then odorized before being injected into the natural gas distribution network.

What is the difference between green gas, biogas, and biomethane?

Green gas is a general term used to describe renewable gases produced from organic waste.

Biogas is the raw gas produced during anaerobic digestion. It contains methane (CH₄), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and small amounts of impurities.

Biomethane is purified biogas. The carbon dioxide and impurities are removed to produce a gas with a composition very similar to natural gas. It can be injected into the natural gas grid and used for everyday applications.

What is the role of biogas in the energy transition?

Biogas is mainly composed of methane (CH₄), a powerful greenhouse gas. When biogas is used as a fuel, the methane is burned and converted into carbon dioxide (CO₂), which has a lower global warming impact than methane.

These gases would be released naturally into the atmosphere as organic matter decomposes. The difference is that biogas captures the methane and uses it to produce renewable energy instead of letting it escape into the atmosphere.

Biogas does not introduce new fossil carbon into the atmosphere. Instead, it recycles carbon that is already part of the natural carbon cycle, unlike fossil natural gas, which releases carbon that has been stored underground for millions of years.

schéma du processus des gaz naturel, de la méthanisation à leur utilisation en anglais — L’analyse à chaque étape

Biogas analysis at every stage

From raw biogas to food-grade CO₂, including biomethane, we support you with the analysis of your gas samples at every stage of the process.

Quantification of methane (CH₄) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)
Analysis of major gases: CO₂, O₂, N₂, H₂, and hydrocarbons (C1–C5, alkenes, etc.)
Trace element analysis: total sulfur, total chlorine, and total fluorine
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) screening without a predefined target list
Energy calculations: higher and lower heating values (HHV/LHV), Wobbe Index, and gas density

Need an analysis

Biogas is our specialty

We provide biogas analysis within 5 working days, with 24-hour turnaround available for urgent requests. Our expertise and custom sampling kits ensure reliable and accurate results :

🕔 Fast sampling
Collect your gas sample in less than 5 minutes while preserving its original composition.
🛠️ Supel™-Inert professional sampling kit
Specially designed bags and pumps that maintain sample integrity during collection and transport.
📄 Step-by-step sampling guide
A detailed protocol to ensure reliable, reproducible sampling in accordance with laboratory best practices.

A simple process

📦 Receive your sampling kit

Your kit is delivered directly to your location. You can track the shipment on the carrier’s website

💨 Collect your gas sample

Follow our step-by-step sampling guide to collect your sample quickly and correctly

🚚 Schedule a pickup

The carrier will collect your sample the next morning and deliver it directly to our laboratory

🧪 We analyze your sample

Our experts analyze your sample using state-of-the-art instruments and prepare your report within the agreed turnaround time

📩 Receive your results

Your analysis report is sent directly by email. If you have any questions, our team will be happy to assist you

Why analyze your biogas?

Biogas analysis helps identify and quantify the contaminants present in the gas. This information is essential for optimizing the use of activated carbon filters and improving the overall performance of the upgrading system.

Our technicians analyze biogas samples using gas chromatography (GC) at different stages of the upgrading process.

We provide:
A detailed analytical report with all measurement results.

Which analytical techniques are used for biogas analysis?

Biogas is analyzed using gas chromatography (GC) equipped with appropriate detectors, such as TCD (Thermal Conductivity Detector), FID (Flame Ionization Detector), and when required, MS (Mass Spectrometry).

These instruments separate, identify, and accurately quantify the major gas components, including CH₄, CO₂, N₂, O₂, and H₂, as well as hydrocarbons and trace compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

Gas chromatography is the reference laboratory technique for ensuring accurate, reliable, and reproducible biogas analysis.

Pure CO₂ Analysis for Food-Grade Applications

The analysis of pure CO₂, particularly for food and beverage applications, requires the detection and quantification of trace impurities such as hydrocarbons, sulfur compounds, oxygen, nitrogen, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

These analyses are essential to verify compliance with E290 food-grade specifications, as well as the EIGA and ISBT standards, which define strict requirements for CO₂ purity and safety.

They ensure that the CO₂ is suitable for food and beverage applications while meeting all relevant regulatory

A specific analytical challenge?

Discover our custom analytical services

Some situations require more than a standard analysis.

Whether you are investigating an unusual odor, an unknown compound, a complex gas matrix, or a specific analytical challenge, Quad-Lab develops tailor-made analytical protocols to meet your needs.

Our experts work with you to design the most appropriate analytical strategy and provide reliable, actionable results.

Learn more

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Do you have any questions ?

Our experts will be happy to respond to you.

Call us at: +33 (1) 64 93 26 60
or contact us by mail : contact@quad-lab.fr

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Do you have any questions ?

Call us at : +33 (1) 64 93 26 60
or contact us by mail : contact@quad-lab.fr

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