Profession distillation operator

Distillation operators run and oversee the oil distillation process and assist with troubleshooting. They operate distillation equipment to separate intermediate products or impurities from oil. They turn control valves and gauges to attain temperatures, material flow rate, pressure, etc. 

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• Chemistry

  The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

Skills

• Maintain distillation equipment

  Maintain and repair equipment; identify and report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.

• Measure oil tank temperatures

  Insert thermometers inside oil tanks to obtain temperature information.

• Keep task records

  Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.

• Calculate oil deliveries

  Make up receipts and calculate deliveries of oil and other petroleum products. Apply standard formulas to calculate test result values.

• Monitor distillation processes

  Identify and report problems or potential hazards by monitoring instruments, indicators and meters. Inspect pipelines; lubricate valves or tighten connections if necessary.

• Test oil samples

  Analyse oil samples in order to determine characteristics such as consistency, texture, viscosity or concentration. Operate measuring instruments such as pH meters, hydrometers and viscometers.

• Set equipment controls

  Manipulate equipment controls to produce required volumes and required product quality. Take into account lab recommendations, schedules and test results.

• Verify distillation safety

  Inspect total amount of oil in storage tanks; ensure safety of distillation activities; ensure compliance to legal regulations.

• Verify oil circulation

  Ensure that incoming and outgoing materials circulate through correct meters; ensure that meters work properly.

• Clean oil equipment

  Clean and sterilise tanks, inflow pipes and production areas; use tools such as scraper, hose and brush; handle chemical solutions.

• Use a computer

  Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.

• Transfer oil

  Prepare specific volumes of refined and unrefined materials for storage; transfer materials that require further processing.

• Operate distillation equipment

  Operate control panels and other distillation equipment, in order to monitor and adjust product flow, pressure, temperature, etc.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB