Biogas Digester Pressure & Temperature Monitoring (Process Stability & Safety) — ATEX

Increases yield, ensures safety

Pressure

Temperature

Quick Overview

Problem

Anaerobic digesters operate under narrow pressure and temperature windows. Undetected pressure instability or thermal drift can reduce biogas yield, damage membranes, trigger safety incidents, or force unplanned shutdowns in ATEX-classified environments.

Solution

Sensa.io’s ATEX-certified pressure and temperature sensors continuously monitor digester conditions, providing real-time visibility of process stability and early warning of abnormal behaviour.

Value

Stabilised gas production • Reduced safety risk • Lower maintenance cost • Improved plant availability

ATEX

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

The Operational Challenge

Anaerobic digesters are the core of biogas production facilities, converting organic feedstock into methane-rich gas through biological processes that are highly sensitive to operating conditions.

Key constraints include:

  • Pressure stability to protect membranes and gas holders
  • Temperature control to maintain bacterial activity
  • Gas-tight integrity to avoid methane losses
  • Limited tolerance for process excursions

Typical operational issues include:

  • Progressive pressure drift due to membrane fouling or valve malfunction
  • Temperature fluctuations caused by heating loop failure or feedstock variability
  • Undetected micro-leaks leading to gas losses and safety exposure
  • Manual measurements performed too infrequently for real-time control

Traditional instrumentation often provides only partial visibility or requires intrusive installation incompatible with ATEX constraints.

Why Pressure & Temperature Monitoring Matters

Pressure and temperature are the two most critical indicators of digester health.

Continuous monitoring enables operators to:

  • Detect abnormal pressure rise before membrane stress occurs
  • Identify pressure drops indicating leaks or gas holder issues
  • Maintain optimal mesophilic or thermophilic temperature ranges
  • Correlate biological performance with process conditions

Stable pressure and temperature directly impact:

  • Methane yield and energy production
  • Digester lifetime and membrane integrity
  • Safety of personnel and surrounding infrastructure

Early detection prevents minor deviations from escalating into costly failures.

Sensa.io Solution

Sensa.io delivers a wireless, intrinsically safe monitoring solution designed specifically for anaerobic digesters.

Core Components

Pressure Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

High-accuracy measurement of digester and gas holder pressure, suitable for low-pressure biogas environments.

Temperature Sensor (ATEX Ex ia IIC T4 Gb)

Continuous monitoring of digester temperature to detect heating failures or biological instability.

Wireless Communication

Supports LoRaWAN, Modbus, and MQTT, enabling integration with biogas SCADA, EMS, and process optimisation platforms.

Installation & Power

Battery-powered threaded or clamp-on installation on digester nozzles or piping — no cabling or shutdown required.

Operational Benefits

  • Continuous visibility of digester health
  • Early detection of abnormal process behaviour
  • Reduced risk of membrane damage and gas loss
  • Improved biological process stability

Results and ROI

Metric Before After
Pressure excursions Detected late Detected early
Temperature stability Variable Stable
Gas yield consistency Fluctuating Improved
Safety incidents Possible Reduced

ATEX Compliance and Safety

All sensors for digester monitoring comply with:

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

The intrinsically safe design enables installation on live digesters without process interruption.

Integration and compatibility

Protocols

LoRaWAN, Modbus RTU/TCP, MQTT, REST API

Systems

Biogas SCADA, EMS, CMMS

Vendors

Schneider Electric, Siemens, ABB, Honeywell

Cybersecurity

AES-128 encrypted communication with secure transport

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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