Automatic Methane Potential Test System (AMPTS)
Automatic Methane Potential Test System (AMPTS) of Bioproces Control is a well-engineered analytical device developed for on-line measurements of ultra-low biomethane flows produced from the anaerobic digestion of biological degradable substrates.
The (AMPTS) is to conducting various anaerobic batch fermentation tests. This includes performing, with up to 15 test vials, biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests, anaerobic biodegradability studies, specific methanogenic activity (SMA) assays, as well as conducting residual gas potential (RGP) analyses on digested slurry. All of this is performed with easy access to sampling, analysis, recording and report generation; fully integrated and automated.
The real-time performance and outstanding features of the AMPTS II satisfies the highest demands for data accuracy and precision with regards to methane potential (biomethane potential) tests and anaerobic toxicity assays. This high quality data can be used to extract important kinetic information of the degradation process, which in turn provides for a much better understanding of the dynamic degradation behaviour of a specific substrate. The AMPTS II is an efficient analytical instrument for conducting real-time BMP, anaerobic biodegradability and SMA assays – having sampling, analysis, recording and report generation fully integrated and automated.
A multi-channel analyser consisting of 15 parallel reactors and the same number of gas flow meters (flow cells) attached to a data acquisition system, allows for the real-time investigation of a high number of samples. This unique design makes the AMPTS II an extremely precise and accurate instrument, and with a wide range of applications. The real-time temperature and pressure compensation feature of the AMPTS II ensures that the impact of measurement conditions can be minimised and data presentation standardised.
The temperature and pressure of gas are measured every time a flow cell opens, allowing the user to derive exact kinetic information compensated for any variation over time, while considering the vapour content of the gas. The normalised volumes are presented under dry conditions at 0 °C and 1 atm.
Methane gas overestimation arises after flushing the system with an inert gas such as nitrogen. Consequently, carbon dioxide in the newly formed biogas is mistakenly counted as methane gas. This can lead, in some cases, to an overestimation of methane gas production by as much as 20–30%, and even more depending on the volume of the headspace. The AMPTS II calculates and removes this overestimation, providing for more accurate and reliable data on methane gas production.