Hydroponics, Aquaponics and Aeroponics: Complete Technical Guide to Soilless Cultivation Systems
03/10/2025
Introduction to desulfurization in biogas plants
The energy transition is leading biogas and biomethane to play an increasingly important role in the production of renewable gas and energy. However, anaerobic digestion inevitably leads to the formation of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), a toxic and corrosive gas that represents one of the main challenges for the plants.
Without adequate control, H₂S compromises operator safety, accelerates the corrosion of pipes and engines, reduces efficiency, and increases management and maintenance costs. For this reason, desulfurization is a key step in every modern biogas and biomethane plant.
Index
- Introduction to desulfurization in biogas plants
- Why hydrogen sulfide is a problem in biogas plants
- The new generation of natural solutions for biogas
- - Microbial biodiversity and biological stability
- NaturVeba Microelements: natural micronutrient balancing
- EnzyVeba Biomethane: biodiversity that optimizes the process
- The combined approach: Microelements + Biomethane
- Environmental and economic benefits of natural solutions
- The future of desulfurization in biogas plants
- Conclusions: more efficiency, more sustainability, less H₂S
Why hydrogen sulfide is a problem in biogas plants
H₂S derives from the degradation of sulfur-containing organic matrices (proteins, plant residues, slurry). Even small amounts of this gas can cause:
- - Reduction in biogas and biomethane production;
- - Accelerated corrosion of pipes, engines, exchangers, upgrading systems;
- - Health risks for operators;
- - Negative environmental impacts.
An efficient plant must therefore adopt structural reduction strategies for H₂S, acting not only reactively but proactively.
The new generation of natural solutions for biogas
Today research focuses on natural additives able to optimize the biology of the digester. Two pillars of this approach are:
- Bioavailable microelements for methanogenesis
The enzymes that allow methane production require specific cofactors (Ni, Co, Mo, Se, Fe). Often substrates do not contain enough or contain them in non-assimilable forms.
Thanks to advanced formulations based on bioavailable microelements and natural chelates, it is now possible to:
- - Stabilize the process even in critical conditions,
- - Reduce acidosis and foam formation,
- - Stimulate key enzymes of methanogenesis,
- - Reduce H₂S formation at the source.
- Microbial biodiversity and biological stability
Anaerobic digestion works best when a balanced microbial ecosystem exists. Through the introduction of natural microbial formulations (selected bacteria and fungi), it is possible to:
- - Accelerate the degradation of recalcitrant matrices such as lignin and cellulose,
- - Keep pH stable,
- - Control ammonia and sulfates,
- - Control crusts and foams,
- - Improve biomass fluidification,
- - Increase operational yield of the plant,
- - Reduce management costs,
- - Increase digester resilience.
EnzyVeba Biomethane
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NaturVeba Microelements
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NaturVeba Microelements: natural micronutrient balancing
NaturVeba Microelements is a natural powder formulation that provides essential microelements (Nickel, Cobalt, Molybdenum, Iron, and Selenium) in a chelated and highly bioavailable form.
Main advantages
- - Provides cofactors necessary for methanogenesis enzymes;
- - Stabilizes plant biology and prevents acidosis;
- - Reduces foam formation and heavy metal toxicity;
- - Ensures an increase in biogas and biomethane within 24 – 48 hours from dosing;
- - Supports recovery after blocks, faults or input variations.
NaturVeba Microelements acts as a true natural integrator of the digester, capable of restoring biological processes balance and increasing efficiency.
EnzyVeba Biomethane: biodiversity that optimizes the process
EnzyVeba Biomethane is a natural liquid product. It has been specially developed to promote and balance methanogenesis processes in anaerobic digestion plants. The product can control pH, keep ammoniacal nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide levels under control, and rapidly degrade the organic compounds of the incoming matrix. Its action is based on a high and specific content of non-GMO bacteria and fungi.
Key benefits:
- - Reduces hydrogen sulfide formation already at the source;
- - Improves digestate fluidity and reduces agitation times;
- - Maintains pH and ammonia under control;
- - Increases methane yield and reduces costly raw material needs;
- - Ensures adaptability to a wide range of temperatures and biomasses (agricultural, zootechnical, industrial and civil).
EnzyVeba Biomethane is much more than a simple enzyme activator: it is a natural microbial ecosystem capable of adapting and enhancing anaerobic digestion.
The combined approach: Microelements + Biomethane
The real strength of these solutions lies in their complementarity.
- NaturVeba Microelements provides microorganisms with essential and bioavailable microelements for methanogenesis reactions.
- EnzyVeba Biomethane provides microbial biodiversity, strengthening the process and maintaining stable pH, ammonia, and sulfur compounds.
Why they work better together
- Biological synergy: microelements activate enzymes, microbes degrade matrices faster.
- Greater resilience: the plant better resists variable loads, temperature shifts, or inhibiting substances.
- Structural reduction of H₂S: instead of capturing it downstream, its formation is prevented already in digesters.
- Energy efficiency: more methane produced for each ton of matrix.
- Sustainability: both products are natural, without chemical residues to dispose of.
Together, Microelements and Biomethane create a balanced ecosystem that transforms anaerobic digestion into a more stable, productive, and sustainable process.
Environmental and economic benefits of natural solutions
The adoption of natural additives for desulfurization and optimization of anaerobic digestion brings concrete advantages:
- Environmental: safer digestate that can be valued in agriculture.
- Economic: reduced management and maintenance costs, lower biomass consumption, greater production continuity.
- Productive: increased methane concentration, resulting in higher yield.
The future of desulfurization in biogas plants
The most interesting prospects for the sector concern:
- Power-to-X: technologies that enhance not only methane but also biohydrogen and residual CO₂.
- Circular economy: enriched digestates usable as quality fertilizers.
- Digital monitoring: sensors and real-time control systems to optimize dosing.
- Personalizzazione: soluzioni su misura in base alla matrice (pollina, FORSU, vinacce, fanghi, sottoprodotti agroindustriali).
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusions: more efficiency, more sustainability, less H₂S
Desulfurization is much more than a technical necessity: it is the key to making biogas and biomethane plants more efficient, profitable, and sustainable.
Natural solutions like NaturVeba Microelements and EnzyVeba Biomethane demonstrate that it is possible to:
- Reduce H₂S structurally: care + prevention,
- Increase methane yield,
- Improve biological stability,
- Produce quality digestates for agriculture.
The integrated approach, based on the synergy between bioavailable microelements and specific anaerobic microorganisms, represents the future of desulfurization: a path that combines innovation, sustainability, and circular economy.
