UGS Group launches UGS Europe

The European biogas sector has undergone a fundamental change in recent years, away from the input of energy crops and towards the utilization of feedstock production residues and by-products from food production and waste.

This development has made anaerobic digestion (AD) processes more complex. In addition, the quantities of biogas produced contain more impurities and exhibit greater variability in gas composition.

Consequently, the demands on plant operators are increasing, and a sustainable technology must operate efficiently and adapt flexibly to market changes.

Tailor-made and market-ready solutions

As a result, customers are often confronted with major challenges. These include protecting the membranes from impurities in the biogas stream and complying with strict grid specifications on the biomethane (aka renewable natural gas – RNG) production side if the gas has elevated nitrogen or oxygen levels.

UGS Group comprises Houston-based Unconventional Gas Solutions LLC, and Dortmund-based H-Iron GmbH

This step is a significant milestone for the growing demand for advanced biogas upgrading systems tailored to the European market, said Dr Oliver Jende, Managing Director of UGS Europe.

Additionally, there is a need to maintain high energy efficiency during seasonal load reductions or when switching between biomethane production and heat or power generation in winter.

This is exactly where we see the niche for UGS Europe to position and distinguish itself, by offering solutions precisely tailored to this market demand, explained Dr Oliver Jende.

Development of a compact system concept

UGS Europe has precisely aligned its market entry and product range with this need.

Following a benchmark analysis, we developed a compact system concept and planned it through completely – with a focus on cost optimization, functionality, and user-friendliness. Our BUS 250 and BUS 500 biomethane systems can therefore cover the biogas inlet volume range from around 150 to 550 standard cubic meters per hour (Nm³/h) (standard cubic meters per hour), explained Kris Salewski, Sales Manager at UGS Europe.

Compared to a combined heat and power (CHP) plant, this corresponds to a plant output of 300 to 1000 kW of electrical power.

With this concept, we address the large market share of all biogas plants in Germany and Europe. Additional capacities of over 2000 Nm³/h can be designed at any time, depending on the project requirements, Kris Salewski added.

Engineered for long-term performance

UGS’s extensive expertise in developing gas separation membranes enables high-level, detailed process simulations. The goal is to minimize physical stress on the polymer membranes.

UGS Europe achieves this through optimized biogas pre-cleaning, site-specific selection of suitable membrane types, and the avoidance of strong pressure fluctuations.

In combination with effective gas temperature control, these factors extend the membrane service life and enhance the efficiency and overall performance of the plant.

UGS Europe works closely with customers to develop customised solutions, striking a balance between cost-efficient standard systems and individually performance-optimised designs.