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Interview with Digester Doc’s CEO, Will Charlton

We had the opportunity to speak to Mr. Will Charlton, President of Digester Doc about his experience with BPC Instruments, AMPTS III and biomethane potential tests. 

How do you utilise BPC Instrument’s technologies in your company? 

BMP testing is central to Digester Doc services, and our exclusive choice for performing Biomethane Potential (BMP) tests is the AMPTS unit from BPC instruments. In addition to standard BMP tests, we also utilise the AMPTS to explore the value of biological or chemical additives for our customers. These additive trials allow us to traverse a pathway to optimal gas yields for our clients and find resolutions for mitigating H₂S production, at a scale that does not impact the operation of our clients’ facility. The integration of BPC Instruments AMPTS units, combined with our years of experience and knowledge, has made Digester Doc globally recognised. Our scientific approach using AMPTS BMP units helps us reduce industry risks effectively. 

Digester Doc offers several different types of BMP tests, process troubleshooting and optimisation service to the US biogas sector. How valuable has BPC’s technologies been for your service, and could you share your experience with the performance and reliability of BPC Instruments over the past 12 years? 

Over the years, we’ve evaluated various technologies for performing BMP tests. BPC’s equipment has proven exceptionally reliable.  Our first units (purchased over 12 years ago) are still operational today, and reporting with the same precision as the day we bought them. We now have over 20 AMPTS units, all geared towards enhancing our ability to meet the scientific demands of a growing industry. 

What has been the best part of working with BPC Instruments for so long? 

BPC stands out due to the quality and lifespan of their equipment, excellent customer service, and a strong focus on client-centric solutions. Even amid the challenges of COVID-19, BPC demonstrated exceptional responsiveness and support for our needs. Their equipment is innovative and user-friendly in terms of operation and maintenance, and greatly reduces the possibility of human error. This ease of use and versatility enables us to efficiently train technicians and specialists on BMP systems, avoiding the complexities often associated with other laboratory systems. For these reasons, BPC remains our preferred choice. 

How does the AMPTS from BPC Instruments compare to other equipment or analytical methods you’ve experienced in the industry?  

Throughout our evaluations of various BMP equipment, nothing has matched the performance and reliability of BPC’s products. While some alternatives offer appealing features, they could not compare against BPC’s ease of use, reliable customer support, and global technical expertise. Other instruments fell short in terms of durability, making them undependable for long-term use. BPC’s innovative approach, combined with user-friendly equipment and excellent customer service, has proven essential to our operations. 

How is your view of your partnership with BPC Instruments? 

We have had a tremendous working relationship with BPC Instruments and that relationship continues to flourish as our company grows.  We are grateful for the effort that BPC puts into making each system automated, accurate, built for longevity and rigor. The versatility of the equipment has allowed us the ability to replicate the processes for use with nearly every AD technology. We can adjust mixing speeds and temperature to match a client’s operation, and we can simulate CSTR, plug flow, and lagoon style digestion. This is possible because of the care that BPC puts into every one of its instruments. Digester Doc would not be the company it is today without such a supportive and exceptional relationship with BPC. 

How do you see the US biogas market growing/changing in the future?  

The US market for biogas is in a stage of rampant growth. Many of the early dairy opportunities have been contracted and/or committed with developers; now we are seeing a shifting of focus to food waste and other agricultural feedstocks. Other industry advances with pre-treatment are making grasses and even potentially woody biomass suitable for anaerobic digestion. By optimising these feedstocks, we will continue to see growth in the sector. It’s been an amazing journey to see the tremendous growth of the industry in North America, and we are excited to play a role in that growth through the application of feedstock science. 

About Digester Doc 

Digester Doc is a full-service laboratory and consultancy centre specializing in the health, efficiency, and productivity optimisation of anaerobic digestion systems through cutting-edge biochemical research. Our expert team supports all facets of the anaerobic digestion industry, including feasibility studies, biological and chemical optimisation, regulatory compliance, incentive management, development, by product commercialization, and enhancement of gas yields. By harnessing scientific advancements, Digester Doc offers innovative solutions tailored to industry needs. Our proven methods for adjusting the chemistry and biology of anaerobic digesters guarantee a 20% increase in biogas production and profitability. This is achieved through our Optimisation study, utilising BPC Instruments’ AMPTS II systems alongside our extensive experience and research. 

https://www.digesterdoc.com