Siloxanes Monitors, Analyzers, and Instruments
Siloxanes are abundant in modern times. These silicone-based compounds can be beneficial when used in cosmetics to soften, smooth, and moisten. They make hair products dry more quickly and deodorant creams slide on more easily. They are also used extensively in moisturizers and facial treatments. Siloxanes can also be found in medical implants, water-repelling windshield coatings, and building sealants and lubricants.
However, some industries such as landfills and wastewater treatment plants that use biogas to generate electricity, or upgrade the biogas to Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) for direct injection into a natural gas pipeline, or for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for use as vehicle fuel, must be wary of siloxanes and monitor the levels. This is because when combusted, siloxanes convert to SiO2, which deposits as essentially a layer of glass inside the engine cylinders used to produce electricity or fuel vehicles. These deposits degrade engine performance and will eventually cause damage to the engine and plug heat exchangers, cause flame sensors in HVAC systems to fail, and damage fuel cells and other equipment in the natural gas pipeline network.
Due to these concerns, scrubbers are typically installed to remove siloxanes from the gas prior to use, and siloxane measurements must be taken to determine when to replace this expensive scrubber material.Â
Continuous Siloxane Monitoring
While siloxanes have been historically difficult and expensive to measure due to the complex and varying gas matrices, Ohio Lumex has developed a proven, reliable and cost-effective technology to continuously monitor the siloxanes species of concern. Installing these continuous monitors allows the facility to maximize the scrubbing material without risking damage downstream.Â
The Ohio Lumex Ei2300 Siloxane Monitoring System measures the concentration of individual siloxane species in a sample gas matrix, including TMS/MOH, L2, L3, L4, L5, D3, D4, D5, and D6. Detection limits range from 0.5ppb to 2.1ppb per species, with heavier species having higher detection limits. The analyzer reports the individual siloxane species concentrations, as well as total siloxanes concentration, total SiO2, and total Si, and is now supported by ASTM Standard D8455, and ISO Standard 2613-2:2023.Â
Onsite Sampling & Laboratory Analysis
Ohio Lumex also offers onsite gas sampling and laboratory analysis to determine the concentration of these siloxane species. This is performed on state-of-the-art GC-MS instruments, according to ASTM Standard D8230.
Instruments
Siloxane Analyzer (GC-IMS-SILOX)
Excellent sensitivity for every siloxane species, without matrix interferences
Siloxane Monitoring System (Ei2300)
Precise on-site measurement of siloxanes in biogas, landfill and digester gas
Siloxane Sorbent Tubes and Traps
Simple, cost-effective, and superior solution to Tedlar Bags and Passivated Cylinders
Services
Biogas Analysis Services
Leading source for laboratory analysis and onsite sampling services
Field Services
Highly trained engineers dedicated to keeping your instrumentation operating at peak performance
R & D
Help with developing new techniques and adjusting instrument parameters for difficult sample matrices
