Determination of organic silicon compounds in biogas from wastewater treatments plants, landfills, and co-digestion plants

The study determined the organic silicon compounds in biogases from landfills, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and biogas plants processing different organic material. The aim was to provide information for gas utilisation applications, as siloxanes are reported to shorten the life time of engines when biogas is used for energy production. In total, 48 samples were measured. The total concentration of organic silicon compounds in landfill and WWTP gases varied from 77 to 2460 mu g/m(3) while the concentrations in biogases from biogas plants varied from 24 to 820 mu g/m(3). The total concentration of organic silicon compounds was lowest (24 mu g/m(3)) in the biogas plant processing grass and maize, and highest (2460 mu g/m(3)) in one of the studied WWTP. The most common compounds in WWTPs and in biogas plants processing also sewage sludge were D4 and D5 while in landfills the most common compounds were D4 and 12 followed by trimethyl silanol. The effect of condensation of biogas on concentrations of organic silicon compounds was studied in one of the landfills and a negligible effect on concentrations was detected. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.