Farm Biogas Digester Pressure & Temperature Monitoring (Safety, Yield & ATEX Compliance)

Energy production safety

Pressure

Temperature

Quick Overview

Problem

Farm-scale biogas digesters operate with variable biological activity, gas production, and pressure. Undetected pressure instability or temperature deviation can reduce methane yield, damage membranes, trigger safety venting, or create ATEX risks—often unnoticed with manual checks.

Solution

Sensa.io’s ATEX-certified pressure and temperature sensors continuously monitor digester operating conditions, ensuring stable fermentation, safe gas handling, and predictable energy output.

Value

Stable biogas yield • Reduced safety risk • Protected digester assets • Lower manual inspections

ATEX

Zones 0–2 • Ex ia IIC T4 Gb certified pressure & temperature sensors

The Operational Challenge

Agricultural biogas digesters convert organic waste into renewable energy through anaerobic digestion.

Key operating parameters include:

  • Digester temperature (mesophilic or thermophilic range)
  • Internal gas pressure and membrane tension
  • Feedstock variability and loading rate
  • Seasonal and biological fluctuations

Common challenges faced by farm operators:

  • Pressure spikes damaging membranes or covers
  • Temperature drift reducing bacterial efficiency
  • Manual monitoring too infrequent for fast deviations
  • Limited instrumentation on small or legacy digesters

Consequences of poor monitoring include:

  • Reduced methane production
  • Emergency gas venting or flaring
  • Equipment damage and downtime
  • Increased safety and compliance risk

Why Pressure & Temperature Monitoring Matters

Pressure and temperature directly reflect digester health.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Maintain optimal biological conditions
  • Detect abnormal gas production or blockage
  • Protect membranes and safety valves
  • Optimise energy yield and uptime

Even small deviations can significantly impact biogas performance and safety.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe monitoring solution for farm biogas digesters.

Core Components

Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy pressure measurement suitable for tubing, casing, and annulus monitoring. The sensor housing is designed for long-term exposure to hydrocarbons and corrosive environments.

Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy pressure measurement suitable for tubing, casing, and annulus monitoring. The sensor housing is designed for long-term exposure to hydrocarbons and corrosive environments.

Wireless Communication

Compatible with LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration into existing SCADA, DCS, or well integrity platforms without vendor lock-in.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered and non-intrusive, the sensor is installed on tubing or annulus lines without hot work or production shutdown.

Operational Benefits

  • Stable methane production
  • Reduced membrane and structural stress
  • Improved safety and ATEX compliance
  • Reduced manual inspection workload

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Methane yield Variable Stable
Pressure incidents Possible Reduced
Manual checks Frequent Reduced
Digester uptime Variable Improved

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All sensors for biogas digester monitoring comply with:

  • ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU
  • Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb (Zones 0–2)
  • IECEx certification

Intrinsically safe design enables installation on live digesters without shutdown or hot work.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Biogas plant control, farm energy dashboards, SCADA

Deployment

On-farm or centralised monitoring

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication

FAQ - Common Questions

Are Sensa.io sensors compatible with any gateway or network?

Yes, they connect to any LoRaWAN or MQTT infrastructure (Kerlink, Cisco, Milesight, MultiTech, etc.) for flexible integration with existing SCADA systems.

What ATEX certifications apply to Sensa.io devices?

All hazardous-area models are certified Ex II 2 G Ex ia IIC T4 Gb and IECEx approved for Zones 0–2.

What is the typical battery life?

Up to 10 years at 15-minute intervals, depending on signal strength and environment.

How are the sensors integrated into existing systems?

Through standard protocols — LoRaWAN, Modbus, MQTT, REST API — no proprietary middleware needed.

How does predictive maintenance reduce OPEX?

Early anomaly detection reduces emergency interventions by 30–40 %, extends equipment life and lowers energy costs.

What does the Sensa.io Valve Position Sensor actually measure?

The device detects real-time valve position states—open, closed, or intermediate—with high accuracy. It continuously sends this information wirelessly to your monitoring dashboard.

Can this sensor detect partial valve movement or stuck valves?

Yes. The sensor identifies irregular patterns such as partial movement, delayed response, or stuck valves, enabling early maintenance before failure occurs.

Is this sensor suitable for manual, motorized, and actuated valves?

Yes. It supports a wide range of valve types including ball, gate, butterfly, actuator-driven, and manual valves.

How fast does it update the valve position?

You can configure the reporting interval—from seconds to minutes—depending on your operational and battery needs.

How long does installation take?

Most installations take under 10 minutes. The sensor mounts using brackets or clamps without modifying existing valves.

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