Preventive Asset Protection Keeps Digester Biogas Systems Safe, Compliant, and Fully Operational

Introduction

Results

Eliminated unplanned downtime through a structured preventive asset protection program for critical digester gas safety and combustion equipment.
Reduced fugitive methane emissions by restoring proper sealing performance at pressure relief and isolation points.
Preserved full biogas flow capacity by proactively cleaning and servicing internal components before restrictions impacted performance.
Extended equipment life and lowered total cost of ownership by replacing soft goods and servicing flame arresters and relief devices before degradation occurred.
Avoided an estimated $10,000 to $25,000 annually in emergency parts and reactive service costs

Challenge

Anaerobic digesters generate methane-rich biogas that must be safely contained, controlled, and destroyed. Relief devices, conservation vents, flame arresters, and waste gas burners serve as critical protection points within the system.

Over time, seal degradation, internal buildup, and component wear can result in:

Fugitive methane emissions
Reduced flow capacity
Nuisance trips and combustion instability
Increased risk of non-compliance
Emergency service costs and unplanned downtime

The facility required a fully outsourced preventive program to manage its digester gas safety equipment and combustion system—ensuring compliance, protecting environmental performance, and eliminating operational uncertainty without increasing internal workload.

Solution

Shand & Jurs Biogas, a Cognesense Company, implemented a comprehensive 3-year preventive service agreement focused on protecting critical safety assets and preserving system performance.

The program included two structured site visits per year:

A detailed inspection and condition assessment with documented findings and recommended critical spares
A scheduled service visit to replace soft goods, clean internal components, verify relief performance, and confirm unrestricted biogas flow

By transitioning from reactive maintenance to a preventive asset protection strategy, the facility gained measurable operational stability.

This proactive approach aligns directly with the Cognesense mission: enabling regulated industries to achieve the highest standards of safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence.

The result is a resilient, compliant digester gas system operating year-round—with reduced emissions risk, predictable maintenance planning, and improved long-term performance.

Application

Measurement, Monitoring, and Protection of Anaerobic Digester Biogas Systems

Customer

Municipal Wastewater Treatment Facility
South Florida

Case Study