Increase in Capacity of SÉMECS

Increase in Capacity of SÉMECS: A Center for the Treatment of Organic Waste by Anaerobic Digestion

By Ivys Adsorption

SÉMECS, a center for treating organic waste through anaerobic digestion in Varennes, Quebec, was initially constructed between 2016 and 2018.

It began operations in March 2018 under the supervision of Biogaz EG, who was responsible for the design.

SÉMECS decided to expand the facility to boost its treatment capacity from 35,000 tons per year to 120,000 tons per year.

With this expansion in mind, SÉMECS recognized an opportunity to incorporate biogas recovery to produce renewable natural gas (RNG).

The expansion was completed in 2024. This capacity increase ensures the treatment capacity of organic waste generated by municipalities on the South Shore of Montreal, supports local energy production, and aligns with Quebec’s sustainable development goals, mainly by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Biogas must be purified to meet quality standards suitable for injection into the natural gas distribution network. A fast-cycle pressure swing adsorption (PSA) system was chosen over other biogas upgrading technologies. This exclusive, patented technology from Ivys Adsorption has the capacity to upgrade 2,100 Nm³/h of raw biogas and can provide an RNG with a purity of 97.5% and a recovery rate of 98.5%.

AMP systems are ideal for treating biogas from organic waste because of their ability to treat contaminants (depending on concentration). Such contaminants include volatile organic compounds (VOCs), siloxanes and sulphur compounds.

These compounds can cause corrosion, abrasion, lubricating oil acidification, reduction in the separation capacity of adsorbents or irreversible damage to membranes.

The facility is currently operating at 50% of its RNG production capacity and is expected to be fully operational later this year.

– Our AMP systems are equipped with a fast-cycling rotary valve.

– Easy to use, higher methane recovery, reliable, low operating cost

– Greater tolerance to contaminants

For more information, read our Canadian Biogas Magazine.