33 PDH
Virtual Digester Operator School
1pm-4pm ET Tuesdays/Thursdays
Registration Opens July 5, 2022
This February, ABC will be holding our only planned virtual ABC Operator School program this year. Designed to help operators optimize their biogas systems and reduce costly mistakes, students will attend seven afternoon sessions throughout the month, covering 13 modules and 33 PDH hours of training from the industry’s most expert operators. You’ll learn the skills you need to excel on the job as a digester operator, including how to repair, maintain, and troubleshoot biogas system components.
Our virtual platform will allow you to video chat with instructors and fellow students face-to-face just by turning on your camera and microphone, no travel required! We’re especially excited to share our 360 degree tour of two digesters, given by the actual operators running those sites. These tours allow your operators to ask meaningful questions and gain a firsthand experience of a successful anaerobic digester system.
ABC’s Operator Training School is required coursework in order to participate in ABC’s Operator Certification Program, which is a form of accreditation for digester operators and the only such certification in the US. This class covers ALL requires modules for certification. As the biogas industry grows, policymakers may soon require anaerobic digesters to be run by certified operators. Keep your operators on the cutting-edge by getting them certified after the course.
Pricing
Full Program
26 PDHs
Included with registration: All 14 modules, including the 9 required for operator certification, plus two virtual site tours, and networking opportunities online with your instructors and fellow students. No travel required.. PDH certificate by request.
Members: $1,400*
Non-Members: $1,700
Registration Opens July 5, 2022
Single Sessions
3 PDHs each
Single session pricing availabe until:
[To be announced]
Members: $200*
Non-Members: $350
Registration Opens July 5, 2022
* American Biogas Members will apply discount and checkout
Modules
Module 1 - Fundamentals of Anaerobic Digestion
This is the foundation for everything operators and anyone in the biogas industry needs to know. As such, almost every course will include and start with this module. We’ll cover the 4 steps of AD including the actual chemistry and biology so you know what to test for; vocabulary and concepts like BOD and VFA/Alk ratios; how to monitor AD performance; and how the primary characteristics of different digesters require a different approach to their operations.
Module 2 - Applying the Fundamentals to Operations
In this module, you’ll learn how to both optimize the performance of a digester and perhaps more importantly, how to avoid digester failures
Module 3 - Math for Digesters
This module consistently ranks as the most valuable by our past students. For those of you who haven’t had math in a while, we’ll start slowly talking about how to keep track of units when doing your calculations, imperial/metric conversions, how to monitor overloads, converting biogas into energy values, and business considerations like determining the value of heat and electricity compared to renewable natural gas. Finally, we’ll walk you through how to determine whether you should accept a truckload of material that shows up at your door. Will the material make money or will it cost you more to deal with the water because there’s so little biogas potential in its contents?
Module 4 - Mechanical Systems
Although emphasis is often and rightly placed on the biological aspects of digester operation, it is important to remember that an AD system is primarily a MECHANICAL SYSTEM. Understanding how to make sure the mechanical systems are operating optimally is critical. We’ll cover receiving material, conveyance, storage and pre-treatment; then mixing, heating and gas handling; finally, we’ll take you through digestate separation, and handling the separated liquids and solids.
Module 5 - Hydraulics (pumps, mixers, etc.)
Some of our expert operators think we should spend a day and half on hydraulics because as operators, you’re handling hydraulic issues every day. But we’ve condensed the essentials of pumps, mixers, monitoring systems and more into a fraction of that time to raise your knowledge quickly and effectively.
Module 6 - Lab Testing. What does it all mean?
We’re fortunate that our friends at UW-Oshkosh have one of the best labs in the biogas industry and that they are a dedicated teaching institution. As such, you’ll learn directly from the experts who run the lab to understand how to use lab work to help digester performance and to trouble shoot issues. Plus, we’ll help you learn how to apply the results from the lab tests your order and what it all actually means.
Module 7 - Odor Management/Prevention
Odor management and prevention starts and ends with good digester operations. We’ll show you which operations in particular most relate to odor issues so you know what to focus on first. This module is often interlaced with story time—anecdotes of what went wrong at some digesters and how those issues could have been prevented or management more effectively. If you’d like to dive into this issue more, the ABC has a day long course called “Odor Management at Anaerobic Digestion Facilities” which is available on-demand, anytime online (https://americanbiogascouncil.org/odor-management-at-anaerobic-digestion-facilities/)
Module 8 - Safety
The safety module usually lasts a full day. We’ve offered to past students to try to reduce the time we spend on this important topic, but universally, we’re told, all this time is needed. We’ll cover H2S dangers, lockout/tagout, operating in confined spaces, rescue procedures, hot work, flammable and explosive properties, hazard communications, process safety and security, MSDSes and more.
Module 9 - Gas Utilization
For producing renewable natural gas or electricity, operating gas cleanup equipment is essential. This module covers H2S removal, biogas upgrading to RNG/pipeline quality, engines, and managing both gas and electrical interconnections with the local utility.
Module 10 - Digestate Management (nutrient recovery, solids separation, certification)
In this module, we want to position you to maximize the revenue you can generate from digestate. We’ll cover the mechanics of different liquid/solid separation systems, nutrient recovery technologies and how to get your digestate certified so your customers know they can trust the safety and agronomic value of the digestate they’re receiving.
Module 11 - Vectors
For anyone handling waste, vectors are a common issue. We’ll cover advice for brids, flies, rodents, varmints, and the control and housekeeping necessary for their prevention.
Module 12 - Regulatory Reporting
This module covers what most digester operators need to disclose regularly to stay in compliance. We’ll also cover the reporting needed to participate in lucrative programs like the federal Renewable Fuel Standard and California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Module 13 - Career Development - What makes an exceptional operator?
In the biogas industry, the operators that have a reputation for high performing digesters are always in demand. We’ll cover the qualities that digester owners look for from their best compensated operators.
Module 14 - Process flow overview/block diagram for site visits
This module is both an application of the content that you’ve learned in the previous modules and preparation for the tour this afternoon. It’s often loud on site, so we’ll cover some of the technical details when it’s easier to hear to enhance the value of your experience on site.
Instructors
Montrose Enviornmental Group & ABC Board Chairman
University of Wisconsin – Oshkosh & ABC Director
Craig Frear
Regenis & ABC Director
Jessica LeRoy
Mendota Agri-Products
Sulzer Chemtech USA, Inc
Craig Ruberti
Montrose Environmental Group
Operator Certification
The American Biogas Council’s Operator Certification is the only digester certification offered in the US. Certified operators have higher performing biogas systems and more often avoid costly and sometimes smelly mistakes. For certification, operators must do three things: complete all 9 required modules in ABC Operator School, have 2,000 hours of operations experience, and pass ABC’s operator exam.
Upcoming courses
13 PDH Course
May 24-26, 2022
Location: in-Person, Las Vegas, NV @ BIOGAS AMERICAS
|
Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 |
Module 9 Module 13 Exhibit hall Tour |
Members: $550
Non-Members: $750
26 PDH Course
August 9-11, 2022
Location: in-Person, Oshkosh, WI @
UW-Oshkosh
|
Module 1 Module 2 Module 3 Module 6 Module 7 Module 8 |
Module 14 Site Tour 1 Site Tour 2 Laboratory Tour |
Members: $1,900
Non-Members: $2,300
33 PDH Course
February 2-28, 2023
1-4 ET Tuesdays/Thursdays
|
Module 1
Module 2 Module 3 Module 4 Module 5 Module 6 Module 7 |
Module 8
Module 9 Module 10 Module 11 Module 12 Module 13 Module 14 |
Members: $1,900
Non-Members: $2,300