Process Engineer

 

Equatic addresses one of mankind’s most pressing problems, climate change, by removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the atmosphere, while co-producing hydrogen (H₂) as a green fuel, both at very low cost. This is based on a novel process that allows electrolyzing sea water, and which stabilizes CO₂ permanently in the form of dissolved bicarbonate ions (in seawater), and solid mineral carbonates. Equatic recently announced the construction of the world’s largest marine carbon dioxide removal facility in Singapore, with a CO₂ removal capacity of ~3.5 kilotonnes CO₂ per year, as well as engineering & design for a commercial plant in Canada with the capacity to remove 100 kilotonnes CO₂ per year. Equatic has offtake contracts in place for over 80 kilotonnes of CO₂ removal credits and H₂ production in support of the capacity of these plants.

 

Role Description

Equatic is seeking experienced Chemical Process Engineers for key roles in its process development efforts.  A successful candidate will bring experience from previous roles in industrial settings and have a passion for creative approaches to solving new design challenges. Specialized expertise in scrubber, cooling tower design and slurry reactor systems is a plus.  Candidates will join a multi-disciplinary team of engineers and scientists developing carbon removal technologies that will be applied globally.  Efforts will center on developing and commercializing a first-of-a-kind process and as such require candidates with mindsets compatible with charting a new course for the betterment of our environment.

The Process Engineer will work closely with Equatic’s technical development team, in particular the CTO, VP of Manufacturing, and others in the engineering team to immediately develop and optimize overall plant design, including selecting appropriate scrubbing and cooling systems tailored to specific operational needs.  The position requires a detailed understanding (or willingness to learn quickly) of different equipment types and the ability to complete engineering designs. Work will involve process flow design, design for manufacturing, materials selection, sizing, standardization, cost calculation and modeling. This role will ensure successful operation while adhering to safety and environmental standards and regulations.

 

 

Key Responsibilities

• Develop concept process flow diagrams, identify design basis variables, prepare design documentation, while working with project management for project scheduling.
• Prepare detailed process flow diagrams (PFD) with major equipment, recycle, and utility streams, develop process control strategies, specify instrumentation, and locate sample points.
• Select appropriate equipment for specific applications, such as cooling towers or spray towers, and perform detailed engineering designs.
• Lead the design and specification of unique equipment.
• Perform process modeling and simulation of unit operations using Aspen Plus (or other equivalent process simulation software) to develop detailed energy and material balance calculations. Process models may vary from single-unit operations to plant-wide designs, including multiple process configuration scenarios.
• Specify routine service equipment, such as pumps, instruments, and control valves. Perform equipment sizing calculations for storage, mixing, reactors, and separation operations.
• Develop cost basis and estimate preliminary project costs (±30%) considering relevant design, construction, and operation factors.
• Prepare design and safety review checklist and lead design and safety review meetings.
• Work with third-party vendors (as needed) to develop Basic Engineering Packages that include Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID), detailed specifications for equipment, instruments, digital control systems, data historians, online/offline analyzers, detailed cost estimates (±15%), project schedules, operating procedures for startup, shutdown, normal operation, emergency, and data collection and sampling.
• Support plant commissioning (as needed) in water run, chemical run, and sequence testing.
• Conduct P&ID review focusing on design, operation, and safety requirements.
• Conduct Process Hazards Analysis (PHA) and improve the design based on PHA outcomes.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in processes, design, equipment, and operational procedures.

 

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required, preferably in Chemical Engineering. An advanced degree is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience in chemical process design and developing basic & detailed engineering packages for metallurgical or oil refining/petrochemical/gas processing/chemical industries.
• Proficiency with Aspen Plus (or other similar software applications) modeling and simulation.  Experience with cost estimation tools.

• Experience in the capital equipment acquisition process, including technical specification generation, supplier identification and assessment, equipment build tracking, factory and site acceptance testing, installation, commissioning, and ramping to metrics.
• Knowledge of relevant regulatory requirements and industry standards.

• A self-starter who collaborates effectively, communicates clearly and drives progress.

 

Beneficial assets

• Experience with technology scale-up
• Experience with reactor and/or plant design

• Experience with electrochemical systems, including electrolyzers and fuel cells

• Experience with HMI automation and control
• Familiarity with research and start-up company environments
• PE qualification
• Passion for carbon management solutions