Anaerobic Digestion Expert

Job Overview

Our Client is seeking a highly skilled Anaerobic Digestion (AD) Expert to lead the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of anaerobic digestion systems, with a specific focus on digester tanks and agitator performance. The ideal candidate will bring technical depth in biological treatment processes and mechanical systems, with experience across various feedstocks and operational environments.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Equipment – Digesters

• Design and optimize anaerobic digester systems tailored to specific feedstocks (e.g., food waste, manure, energy crops) and climate conditions.
• Establish guidelines for digester sizing, retention time, and performance KPIs, including modular system designs for scalable projects.
• Troubleshoot underperforming digesters, addressing issues such as low biogas yields, elevated hydraulic retention time (HRT), or imbalanced microbial activity.
• Collaborate with civil and mechanical engineering teams to ensure digester tank design adheres to best practices in structural integrity, material selection, and long-term reliability.
• Analyze operational data and provide actionable recommendations to improve process stability and methane output.

2. Equipment – Agitators

• Recommend optimal agitator types and mixing strategies based on system configuration, feedstock characteristics, and thermal conditions.
• Identify opportunities to reduce energy consumption while maintaining uniform mixing and preventing sedimentation or stratification.
• Troubleshoot agitation-related issues such as dead zones, excessive foaming, or mechanical failure, proposing both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.
• Develop training programs for site operators on agitator operation, performance monitoring, and preventive maintenance routines.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Biochemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5–7 years of experience in anaerobic digestion system design and operation, including hands-on fieldwork.
• Strong understanding of biogas process engineering, fluid mechanics, and system integration.
• Proven experience working with both wet and dry AD systems, as well as different reactor types (e.g., CSTR, plug flow, UASB).
• Familiarity with modeling tools (e.g., ADM1, CFD simulations) is an asset.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in cross-disciplinary teams.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as needed