Project Engineer (MSc Chem Eng)(Water treatment technologies & waste management), Ref: 1205783 – Online Interview Questions

Current / most recent job title?

Project Engineer

1. Primary purpose of current/most recent position:

Manage the water treatment plant at Hazardous waste treatment company
Manage the safe storage, processing and transportation by pyrolysis residue.
Emission monitoring and data capture of all emissions generated from the pyrolysis plant.

2. Core elements or functions that must operate effectively in order to achieve primary purpose:

Maintain plant water quality levels within acceptable limits: TDS < 100; TSS < 1.0%; pH > 7.0
Ensure timeous removal of waste from the pyrolysis operation.
Prepare weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual plant emission reports for internal evaluation and externally, for license compliance.
Prepare annual GHG reports for the DEA.
Ensure online emission monitoring equipment has high availability/uptime > 95%

3. Description of self, along with greater purpose and passions:

I have a keen interest in environmental engineering with a proven ability to lead and manage engineering projects. A hardworking, diligent and out-the-box thinker who can offer identify ways to reduce operations costs and maximize resources. A talented engineer with experience in brine water desalination and advanced hazardous waste treatment experience. Currently seeking a new opportunity to make a significant difference within an organization that requires a dynamic and objective-driven individual.

4. Ideal business title: 

Ideal position: Project manager, Production Manager, Plant manager.
Other titles with additional training:
Business development manager, renewable energy manager.

5. Key responsibilities and accountabilities of ideal position:

The responsibilities and accountabilities of my ideal position would be:
Responsible for monthly targets (production, reports);
Training staff to empower them with skills and knowledge to improve their work efficiency;
Mentor junior staff members so that they are able to succeed on their career path.

6. Skill area of competence:

I have very good skills at preparing Feasibility Studies for green field projects to show ROI, payback period, and sensitivity analysis.
I have a good working knowledge of water treatment technologies, specializing in the desalination of industrial brine wastewater using freeze technology.
I have excellent skills at building Excel models (dashboards) to convert large data files into graphs for clear interpretation and report writing.
I have excellent waste management skills and can offer services to provide solutions for recycling and on-site management of waste, the transportation of waste and all possible off-takes (markets).

7. Career summary:

Wastewater engineering – 4 years
Hazardous waste incineration – 3 years
Desalination of industrial brine – 3 years
Stack gas emission monitoring – 6 years

8. Achievements: 

I performed a trial to replace coal with renewable fuel, to supply energy sources for incineration. The trial was a success, as biomass resulted in sustainable reactor temperatures being achieved and emissions passed the legal limits. This saved the company from purchasing 200 tpm of coal (~R160 000 pm saving).

I implemented a new waste management procedure: using open 6m3 skips instead of 1m3 bulk bags to load residue. This new procedure resulted in the following benefits: 30 man-hours per month saved by loading 6m3 skips; 1 less forklift required per month (R14 000 pm saving); increased from 12 tons to 24 tons per tip (50% cost saving on logistics); 12 man-hours per month saved during the collection of residue.

Implementation of a patented brine treatment technology, with high energy efficiency (7 times less energy than evaporation): Cost saving achieved by removing salt from the brine and recycling the treated water back to the pyrolysis plant. Alternatively, the brine is removed for disposal at landfill sites at a high cost (50% cost saving).

9. What do you absolutely love doing?

Problem-solving;
Future planning;
Implementing cost-saving initiatives; Technology development;
Process optimization.

10. Ideal company (culture and values):

Work for a renewable energy company / environmentally focused company that offers continuous development and growth for its employees.

A company that treats all its workers with equal respect and acknowledges contributions made that benefit the company.
A company value system that treats its employees like the owner would treat his/her family.

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