Siloxane Removal in Biogas: Protecting Engines and Turbines What is Siloxane Removal? Siloxane removal is a critical step in preparing biogas for energy recovery. Without proper treatment, trace silicon-based contaminants can compromise equipment performance, increase operating costs, and shorten the lifespan of engines and turbines used in biogas-to-energy systems. As biogas utilization expands across landfills and wastewater treatment facilities, siloxane control has become a practical necessity rather than a theoretical concern. Why Siloxanes Are Present in Biogas Biogas is produced through the anaerobic digestion of organic waste and is composed primarily of methane and carbon dioxide. In addition to these major components, biogas contains trace contaminants introduced through consumer products and industrial waste streams. Among these contaminants are siloxanes-volatile silicon-based compounds that vaporize during digestion and travel with the gas stream. While typically present at low concentrations, siloxanes are persistent and chemically stable prior to combustion. Modern regulations and sustainability mandates increasingly require operators to capture and reuse biogas rather than flare it, pushing gas treatment requirements upstream in the process design. How Siloxanes Damage Engines and Turbines When biogas containing siloxanes is combusted, the chemical behavior of these compounds changes. Under high temperatures, siloxanes oxidize into microcrystalline silica solids. These solids deposit on:
Over time, deposition reduces heat transfer efficiency, disrupts combustion dynamics, and accelerates mechanical wear. The logical consequence is increased maintenance, unplanned downtime, and premature equipment failure. This cause-and-effect chain explains why siloxane concentration, rather than total gas volume, has become a key performance variable in biogas energy systems. Operational Impacts of Siloxane Contamination In real-world applications, operators have observed silica buildup leading to fouled microturbines, degraded catalyst performance, and shortened service intervals for reciprocating engines. As a result, equipment manufacturers now specify maximum allowable siloxane levels in fuel gas streams. Failure to meet these limits can void warranties or force derating of power-generation assets. Across the industry, siloxane management has shifted from a maintenance issue to a design constraint, particularly for facilities seeking long-term operational stability. Common Siloxane Removal Methods and Their Limitations Various adsorbents have been used for siloxane removal, with activated carbon historically serving as a common option. While effective under certain conditions, activated carbon presents limitations in this application, including safety concerns and limited working capacity for siloxanes. These constraints have driven the development of engineered adsorbent materials designed specifically for siloxane capture. Purpose-built media can offer higher capacity, improved selectivity, and more predictable performance in continuous biogas treatment systems. Designing Reliable Biogas Systems with Effective Siloxane Control Effective siloxane removal is essential for converting biogas into a reliable, long-term energy resource. By controlling silicon-based contaminants before combustion, operators can protect critical equipment, reduce lifecycle costs, and meet increasingly strict performance requirements. If siloxane management is a factor in your biogas system design or operation, explore:
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