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Engineering ServicesISCO 3133

Biogas technician

A biogas technician is a person who works on recovering gas from organic matter, either as landfill gas or as gas produced by digestion, and who operates the machinery and equipment of a biogas plant. The role covers running the plant, testing what it produces, maintaining it and dealing with breakdowns.

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Rate 5 of the 13 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.

operate biogas plant

resolve equipment malfunctions

handle gas cylinders

test gas purity

maintain biogas plant

About biogas technician

Running the plant is the daily work. The technician looks after the biogas plant, handles the gas cylinders used around it, and works from a knowledge of gaseous fuel. Knowledge of natural gas belongs to the same area. So does a knowledge of the processes used to recover natural gas liquids. When equipment malfunctions, the technician identifies the fault, reports it and repairs it.

Testing decides whether the gas can be used. The technician tests gas purity. Readings are therefore taken regularly.

Maintenance and faults take up the rest. The technician carries out maintenance tasks and troubleshoots equipment breakdowns, working from a knowledge of mechanics on pumps, compressors, agitators and valves. A digester runs a biological process, not just a mechanical one, so a plant stopped for a repair does not simply restart where it left off.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (13)

natural gas liquids recovery processesnatural gas liquids recovery processesBe 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 absor...natural gasnatural gasThe various facets of natural gas: its extraction, processing, constituents, uses, environmental factors, etc.fuel gasfuel gasThe various qualities, hazards and applications of gaseous fuels, such as oxy-acetylene, oxy-gasoline, oxy-hydrogen and others.biomass conversionbiomass conversionConversion process whereby biological material becomes heat through combustion or biofuel through chemical, thermal, and biochemical methods.biogas energybiogas energyEnergy production for heating and potable hot water making use of biogas (the biogas is generated off-site), and its contribution to energy performance.mechanicsmechanicsTheoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.operate biogas plantoperate biogas plantOperate 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 ...resolve equipment malfunctionsresolve equipment malfunctionsIdentify, report and repair equipment damage and malfunctions. Communicate with field representatives and manufacturers to obtain repair and replacement components.handle gas cylindershandle gas cylindersGrip gas cylinders in a safe manner and ensure they are compliant with safety and health regulations.test gas puritytest gas purityTest the purity of the gas using specific testing equipment.maintain biogas plantmaintain biogas plantPerform 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 bioma...ensure correct gas pressureensure correct gas pressureEnsure 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 maintenanceensure equipment maintenanceEnsure 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 f...
Optional (19) — show
electrical power safety regulationselectrical power safety regulationsThe compliance with safety measures which need to be taken during the installation, operation, and maintenance of constructions and equipment which function in the generation, transmission, and distri...types of steam enginestypes of steam enginesThe different types of heat engines which use steam as working fluid and are used to produce motion, such as steam turbines and stationary steam engines, and their various components.electricityelectricityThe principles of electricity and electrical power circuits, as well as the associated risks.electric generatorselectric generatorsThe principles and operations of devices that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy, such as dynamos and alternators, rotors, stators, armatures, and fields.energy conservationenergy conservationThe practice of reducing energy consumption and using fewer energy services. As a sustainable process, energy conservation is done by replacing used energy with alternative sources, using more efficie...renewable energyrenewable energyThe different types of energy sources which cannot be depleted, such as wind, solar, water, biomass, and biofuel energy. The different technologies used to implement these types of energy to an increa...ensure compliance with environmental legislationensure compliance with environmental legislationMonitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation....monitor utility equipmentmonitor utility equipmentMonitor equipment which provides utility services such as power, heat, refrigeration, and steam, in order to ensure they are functional, operate according to regulations, and to check for faults.maintain records of maintenance interventionsmaintain records of maintenance interventionsKeep written records of all repairs and maintenance interventions undertaken, including information on the parts and materials used, etc.arrange equipment repairsarrange equipment repairsArrange for equipment repairs when necessary.use remote control equipmentuse remote control equipmentUse a remote control to operate equipment. Watch the equipment closely while operating, and use any sensors or cameras to guide your actions.operate boileroperate boilerOperate sealed vessels which contain fluids which are heated or vaporised, not always up to boiling, for heating or power generation, such as in utilities. Ensure safe procedures by monitoring the blo...operate steam turbineoperate steam turbineOperate equipment which uses thermal energy, extracted from pressurised steam, to generate rotary motion. Ensure that the turbine is balanced, and operates according to safety regulations and legislat...collaborate with engineerscollaborate with engineersWork closely and communicate with engineers on designs or new products.operate biogas meteroperate biogas meterUse measuring equipment which is capable of measuring in a biogas atmosphere in order to measure biogas emissions, more specifically of methane and carbon dioxide levels.replace large componentsreplace large componentsDismantle and reassemble equipment or system parts in order to replace large defective elements such as generators or engines.ensure compliance with gas distribution scheduleensure compliance with gas distribution scheduleMonitor the operations of a gas distribution facility and gas distribution systems in order to ensure that the distribution goals are met, and the gas supply demands are met.monitor valvesmonitor valvesMonitor and accordingly adjust the valves in order to allow a specific amount of liquids (such as ammonia sulfuric acid or viscous soap) or steam into the mixer or machine.monitor electric generatorsmonitor electric generatorsMonitor the operation of electric generators in power stations in order to ensure functionality and safety, and to identify need for repairs and maintenance.

Related Occupations

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Frequently asked questions

What does a biogas technician do?

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.

What skills does a biogas technician need?

A biogas technician needs 13 essential skills, including natural gas liquids recovery processes, natural gas, fuel gas, biomass conversion, biogas energy.

Will AI replace biogas technician jobs?

The AI disruption score for biogas technician is 29/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: maintain records of maintenance interventions, monitor utility equipment, monitor valves. Most resilient: electricity, electric generators, handle gas cylinders.

Quick Facts

SectorEngineering Services
ISCO GroupScience and engineering associate professionals
Essential Skills13

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