Natural or Biogas? Ethane Analysis for Gas Leak Detection

Sometimes, they encounter gas leaks that cannot be explained. The measurement technology indicates that the detected gas is flammable, but there is no obvious damage site. Even repeated measurements continue to show gas emissions. The cause might not only be a defective natural gas line but also biogas or marsh gas (e.g., biogas from digesters, landfill gas, mine gas, cemetery gas, or even fuels).

Both natural gas and biogas primarily consist of methane (CH4), which can be detected at the surface with gas detection devices.

Natural gas also contains hydrocarbons such as ethane (C2H6), propane (C3H8), butane (C4H10), etc.

Biogas mainly consists of methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), but typically has only a very small amount of ethane and other higher hydrocarbons, often below 0.1%.

To distinguish natural gas from biogas, it is necessary to determine whether ethane is present in the gas sample. A portable ethane detector, integrated into a combination measuring device (e.g., the EX-TEC® HS 680), can be used for this purpose. The analysis is conducted directly at the probe hole and functions similarly to a gas chromatograph.

The gas sample is passed through a separation column with ambient air, where the gas is broken down into its components. Each gas has a specific time to pass through the separation column. If ethane is present in the sample, it is clearly indicated.

This allows for precise differentiation between natural gas and biogas, enabling a more accurate determination of the cause of gas emissions.

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