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Career Details : Chemical Plant and System Operators

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Description

Control or operate an entire chemical process or system of machines.

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful in these occupations, but usually is not needed. For example, a drywall installer might benefit from experience installing drywall, but an inexperienced person could still learn to be an installer with little difficulty.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work. In some cases, an associate's or bachelor's degree could be needed.

Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees.

Tasks

  • Confers with technical and supervisory personnel to report or resolve conditions affecting safety, efficiency, and product quality.
  • Turns valves to regulate flow of product or byproducts through agitator tanks, storage drums, or neutralizer tanks, according to process.
  • Monitors recording instruments, flowmeters, panel lights, and other indicators, and listens for warning signals to verify conformity of process conditions.
  • Starts pumps to wash and rinse reactor vessels, to exhaust gases and vapors, and to mix product with water.
  • Interprets chemical reactions visible through sight glasses or on television monitor and reviews laboratory test reports for process adjustments.
  • Records operating data, such as process conditions, test results, and instruments readings, calculating material requirements or yield according to formulas.
  • Notifies maintenance, stationary-engineering, and other auxiliary personnel to correct equipment malfunction and adjust power, steam, water, or air supply.
  • Gauges tank levels, using calibrated rod.
  • Draws samples of products and conducts quality control tests to monitor processing and ensure standards are met.
  • Defrosts frozen valves, using steam hose.
  • Patrols work area to observe level of carbon in thickener tank and wash solutions in overflow troughs to prevent spills.
  • Moves control settings to make control adjustments on equipment units affecting speed of chemical reactions and quality and yield.
  • Inspects equipment for potential and actual hazards, wear, leaks, and other conditions requiring maintenance shutdown.
  • Manually regulates or shuts down equipment during emergency situations, as directed by supervisory personnel.

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    Important Abilities

    General Work Activities

    Important Skills

    Frequent Work Context

    • Consequence of Error
    • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
    • Importance of Being Sure All Is Done
    • Degree of Automation
    • Indoors

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