Atlas Copco is helping to improve biogas production at the Leeming Biogas facility in North Yorkshire by supplying critical oxygen generation technology. The equipment plays a key role in ensuring the plant can produce grid-quality biomethane while reducing costs and supporting sustainable operations.
Operated by Iona Management Services (IMS), the facility processes food waste to produce over five million cubic metres of biomethane annually, which is injected into the local gas grid.
While anaerobic digestion, the process used to generate the gas, typically avoids oxygen, Atlas Copco’s system provides pure oxygen to enhance the efficiency and stability of the process.
“It may seem counterintuitive, but oxygen is fundamental to the generation of grid-quality biogas,” said James Smith, General Manager at the Leeming Biogas plant. “It stabilises the biological activity inside the fermenters, which promotes efficient gas generation and helps to reduce unwanted by-products such as hydrogen sulphide.”
Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), a by-product of food waste with high sulphur content, is flammable, corrosive and has a strong odour. IMS uses Atlas Copco’s oxygen generator to minimise H₂S formation, avoiding the need for hazardous chemicals while lowering operating costs and improving environmental outcomes.
The system relies on Atlas Copco’s OGP10 oxygen generator, which produces oxygen with 90–95% purity using pressure swing adsorption technology.
Paired with Atlas Copco’s compressors and filtration systems, it ensures a reliable on-site oxygen supply. According to the company, this setup reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting oxygen cylinders and provides a consistent, cost-effective solution.
The equipment has been in operation for over 62,000 hours and continues to meet the plant’s requirements. IMS also receives ongoing support from Atlas Copco, which provides maintenance and technical expertise.
“Integration with the on-site team, good response times and detailed reporting save us time and support our operations,” Smith said. He added that the renewable energy sector is evolving rapidly and highlighted the importance of working with partners who keep the plant informed about new technologies.
“At IMS, we believe that low-carbon energy projects are one of the fastest ways for consumers to embrace the necessary transition to a sustainable economy. Atlas Copco keeps us informed about innovations that could improve our efficiency and help achieve our sustainability goals,” he said.
The Leeming Biogas facility in North Yorkshire plays a vital role in the UK’s growing biogas industry, which is gaining momentum as the country works to meet its decarbonisation targets.
Processing food waste as its primary feedstock, the plant generates over five million cubic metres of biomethane annually, enough to heat thousands of homes.
Biogas production nationwide has expanded rapidly in recent years, with over 650 anaerobic digestion plants contributing to the government’s ambitions for Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
