Profession biogas technician

Biogas technicians work in the derivation of gas from organic matter and produced as landfill gas or digested gas. They operate equipment in biogas plants, perform tests and maintenance tasks, and take action in the event of a failure.

Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Biomass conversion

  Conversion process whereby biological material becomes heat through combustion or biofuel through chemical, thermal, and biochemical methods.

• Natural gas

  The various facets of natural gas: its extraction, processing, constituents, uses, environmental factors, etc.

• Mechanics

  Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

• Fuel gas

  The various qualities, hazards and applications of gaseous fuels, such as oxy-acetylene, oxy-gasoline, oxy-hydrogen and others.

• Natural gas liquids recovery processes

  Be aware of common processes used to separate heavier hydrocarbons such as ethane, propane and butane from the methane, which is the finished product of the gas processing plant. Be aware of oil absorption techniques, cryogenic expansion processes, and other relevant processes.

Skills

• Ensure correct gas pressure

  Ensure the necessary, usually constant, pressure of gas which is part of a machine or tool, such as torching equipment, used to process metal workpieces during metal fabrication processes.

• Ensure equipment maintenance

  Ensure that the equipment required for operations is regularly checked for faults, that routine maintenance tasks are performed, and that repairs are scheduled and performed in the case of damage or flaws.

• Resolve equipment malfunctions

  Identify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions; communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.

• Handle gas cylinders

  Grip gas cylinders in a safe manner and ensure they are compliant with safety and health regulations.

• Test gas purity

  Test the purity of the gas using specific testing equipment.

• Operate biogas plant

  Operate equipment which treats energy crops and waste from farms, called anaerobic digesters. Ensure the equipment functions correctly in the transformation of biomass to biogas which is used for the generation of heat and electricity.

• Maintain biogas plant

  Perform routine maintenance and repairs on equipment which treats energy crops and waste from farms, called anaerobic digesters. Ensure the equipment functions correctly in the transformation of biomass to biogas which is used for the generation of heat and electricity.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB