Innovative Concept Increases Biomethane Yield Using Green Hydrogen
At the Bützberg Biogas and Composting Plant (BKW), operated by MVR Müllverwertung Rugenberger Damm GmbH – a company of the Stadtreinigung Hamburg (SRH) – self-generated green hydrogen (H₂) is being used to increase the yield of biomethane.
The BKW processes the contents of 150,000 organic waste bins from the Hanseatic city each year in three dry fermentation lines, producing around one million cubic metres of biomethane and 17,000 tonnes of compost. In order to enhance the biomethane yield, the biogas plant has been combined with Power-to-Gas (PtG) technology. For this purpose, green hydrogen is injected into 14 of the total 21 garage fermenters. The hydrogen is generated using a 1,0 MW electrolyser. The electricity required for this process is sourced from renewable energy via a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA).
The additional hydrogen is converted into methane during the biogas process through microbial methanation, reacting with the CO₂ present. This enables an increase in biomethane yield of up to 20%. This combination of dry fermentation and PtG technology is unique in Germany. Further comprehensive information on the project can be found here:Project Overview 6.2 – Northern Germany Real Laboratory.
Three AwiFLEX XL gas analysis systems are used to monitor the process. Two identical systems each monitor seven garage fermenters and the main gas collection line of the digestion system. To ensure reliable monitoring during the start-up and shut-down of the individual fermenters, continuous measurement of CH₄, CO₂, O₂, and H₂ is carried out. Depending on utilisation, the measurement can be switched to each individual fermenter. H₂S is also measured intermittently.
intermittently.
The third gas analysis system continuously monitors gas quality before and after the biogas upgrading process. It is equipped with an automatic range-switching feature for hydrogen. Depending on the amount of H₂ dosed into the process, it switches between an electrochemical sensor (0–50,000 ppm) and a thermal conductivity sensor (0–100%).
Hydrogen is highly reactive, volatile (14 times lighter than air), and the smallest chemical element, with a high diffusion rate. These properties are taken into account in the gas analysis system design through the use of PTFE (Teflon) tubing, detonation flame arrestors, and internal hydrogen monitoring.
All gas analysis systems feature automatic calibration, gas coolers, remote access, and redundant gas sampling pumps to ensure maximum measurement accuracy and reliability.
PtG technology offers numerous advantages, including improved CO₂ efficiency in the biogas process, chemical storage of renewable electricity, utilisation of power surpluses, and integration into the existing gas and electricity infrastructure – to name just a few.
We are proud to contribute to this innovative concept from MVR and would like to thank them, as well as the SRH Group, for the exciting project and the excellent collaboration. We look forward to seeing how the BKW continues to evolve
Nine AwiFLEX XL Units for Brazil
For this project at the Paulínia landfill site near São Paulo, Gruen Biogás combines years of expertise with local manufacturing and service capabilities. São Paulo, with a population of 11.9 million (2024), is the largest city in Brazil and offers enormous potential for landfill gas production.
The landfill gas will be treated in four parallel processing lines, each equipped with two PSA systems, which will gradually remove CO₂ and N₂ (see image, plant layout). A ninth central PSA unit follows at the end to safely eliminate any remaining nitrogen. The facility is designed to process up to 20,000 m³/h of landfill gas into biomethane, which will then be fed into the national gas grid. Commissioning is planned for the first quarter of 2026.
The nine AwiFLEX XL units will monitor the entire system – from raw gas and activated carbon filters through to the final biomethane product. A total of 46 measurement points are installed, with 15 operating continuously, 16 quasi-continuously, and 16 discontinuously. Each system performs three simultaneous measurements. In addition, the systems feature automatic condensate drains and calibrations.
The modular design of the AwiFLEX XL is fully leveraged in this project (see image after calibration), allowing a wide range of gas analysis tasks to be bundled into just nine systems.
We would like to thank Gruen Biogás for placing their trust in our gas analysis technology for this ambitious project, and we look forward to continued collaboration in the rapidly growing Brazilian market.
Our new distribution partners
We are pleased to have established partnerships with six new distributors across four continents over the past nine months. These collaborations will help us distribute our products and services more efficiently and successfully around the world, contributing to the advancement of renewable gases.
Since June 2024, Instrumatics Equipment Ltd. has been working with us to develop the New Zealand market. Based in Christchurch and employing 14 staff, Instrumatics has been supplying gas detectors and analytical equipment for landfills, wastewater treatment plants, agriculture, and the food industry for over 30 years.
In September 2024, we began our partnership with Taejunebio Co.Ltd., a company based in Busan, South Korea. Taejunebio is involved not only in the sale, installation, operation, and maintenance of biogas analyzers and generators, but also offers consulting services for biogas plants.
Also in September 2024, Cornes AG. joined our network. Headquartered on the Japanese island of Hokkaido, Cornes has been in business since 1861. Hokkaido is known as the origin of the Hokkaido pumpkin. Cornes is dedicated to dairy farming and places a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainability.
In November 2024, our cooperation with Ceiinc S.A.S in Colombia began—a market with significant growth potential. Based in Cali, a city in southern Colombia, the company primarily supplies measurement and control technology to various industries, with a focus on water and wastewater.
In February 2025, we began collaborating with the Indian branch of Armatec-FTS, located in Hyderabad, India’s sixth-largest city. As the most populous country in the world with 1.46 billion people, the Indian subcontinent offers tremendous potential.
The most recent addition is Tetoros Machinery S.A, which has been serving the Greek market as a distribution partner since March 2025. Tetoros is fully dedicated to the biogas sector and recently partnered with German plant manufacturers in the planning of modern biogas facilities in Greece.
Thanks to these new partners, we can strengthen our presence in these countries and offer our local customers an even better service. We are excited about the opportunities that this collaboration with all of our distribution partners will bring and look forward to a successful future together.
25 years full of change – but the dolphins won't let us go
We’re celebrating 25 years of company history – and digging deep into our archives. Old photos, old projects… and: our old logo!
Yes, back then two elegant dolphins adorned our trademark. 🐬🐬 Today, we’re moving in a more modern direction – new logo, fresh look, clear lines.
But who would have thought that the dolphins still wouldn’t quite leave us? Because right in front of our office in Brazil stands – quite by chance – a dolphin statue.
Coincidence? A sign? Or did the dolphins simply never want to leave completely? No matter how you see it:
Times change. But some things remain. And that’s a good thing. 💙
As part of our anniversary, we would like to cordially invite you to follow us on our social media channels. On Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, we regularly share exciting retrospectives, stories, and insights from Awite.
Stay tuned – many interesting insights await!