Operate or tend equipment to control chemical changes or reactions in the processing of industrial or consumer products. Equipment used includes devulcanizers, steam-jacketed kettles, and reactor vessels. Exclude Chemical Plant and System Operators (51-8091).

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in operation of equipment to process, store, and mix acids for use in making explosives, such as nitroglycerin, tnt, and dynamite

trains workers in operation of equipment. Inspects equipment and observes workers to ensure... [+] More

Supervises and coordinates activities of workers engaged in operation of equipment to process, store, and mix acids for use in making explosives, such as nitroglycerin, tnt, and dynamite

trains workers in operation of equipment. Inspects equipment and observes workers to ensure safe work practices. May supervise production of ammonium nitrate crystals and drying of dynamite-filler ingredients. Performs other duties as described under supervisor. [-] Less

Adjusts (balances) specific gravity of electrolyte (acid solution) in battery cells or in plate-forming tanks to concentration specified

ascertains temperature and specific gravity of solutions, using thermometer and hydrometer. Turns valves or lever to drain acid or water into cells or tanks to adjust specific gravity of solutions. Connects batteries to charging line and charges batteries for specified time.

Starts conveyors and pushes incoming storage batteries onto conveyor leading to machine which inverts batteries over receiving tank to drain used forming acid or manually unloads batteries from forming trucks, inverts batteries, and places batteries on rack to drain. Places... [+] More

Starts conveyors and pushes incoming storage batteries onto conveyor leading to machine which inverts batteries over receiving tank to drain used forming acid or manually unloads batteries from forming trucks, inverts batteries, and places batteries on rack to drain. Places drained batteries on conveyor leading to refilling station or on truck. May strip connectors and dummy vents from battery before draining, replace them after draining, and refill battery with acid, using vacuum filling machine acid filler. May ascertain specific gravity of acid in battery, using thermometer and hydrometer and add acid or water to obtain specified concentration. [-] Less

Tends equipment that chemically cleans grease, scale, dirt, and other foreign matter from metal objects to prepare them for processes, such as electroplating and galvanizing

removes shavings, dirt, and rust spots from objects, using airhose, file, or sandpaper. Loads objects on... [+] More

Tends equipment that chemically cleans grease, scale, dirt, and other foreign matter from metal objects to prepare them for processes, such as electroplating and galvanizing

removes shavings, dirt, and rust spots from objects, using airhose, file, or sandpaper. Loads objects on conveyor which carries them through series of chemical and rinsing baths, or places objects on racks or in containers and immerses objects in chemical and rinsing solutions, manually or using hoist. Moves controls to start conveyor and to regulate temperature of solution or conveyor speed. Maintains consistency of cleaning solutions by adding specified amount of chemical to solutions. Drains, cleans, and refills tanks with chemicals. May dry objects, using dryer. May examine cleaned objects to ensure conformance to standards. May be known as degreaser; or may be designated according to type of cleaning equipment as ultrasonic cleaner. [-] Less

Controls equipment, such as washers, rectifiers, acid pots, and mixing tanks arranged in series to recover tar acids from coal-tar oils

starts pumps to circulate oil through equipment, and opens valves at various stages to treat oil with chemicals, carbon dioxide,... [+] More

Controls equipment, such as washers, rectifiers, acid pots, and mixing tanks arranged in series to recover tar acids from coal-tar oils

starts pumps to circulate oil through equipment, and opens valves at various stages to treat oil with chemicals, carbon dioxide, and steam, according to specified instrument readings. Performs routine tests at different processing stages to determine effectiveness of treatment. Samples products for laboratory analysis, and interprets results of analyses to make adjustments in processing operations and to control quality and quantity of production. Inspects equipment for operating efficiency, lubricates equipment, and makes minor repairs and adjustments. [-] Less

Controls rotary or spray sulfur furnaces and alkali absorption towers to make cooking acid for use in digesting woodpulp

moves controls and observes gauges to regulate combustion chamber, speed of furnace rotation, and volume of liquid sulfur in furnace to maintain... [+] More

Controls rotary or spray sulfur furnaces and alkali absorption towers to make cooking acid for use in digesting woodpulp

moves controls and observes gauges to regulate combustion chamber, speed of furnace rotation, and volume of liquid sulfur in furnace to maintain specified temperature and acidity required to produce sulfur dioxide gas. Adjusts valves to regulate flow of water and sulfur dioxide gas through alkali absorption towers according to titration tests to produce cooking acid of specified concentration. Starts pumps to pump acid through filters and to storage tanks. Chips slag from furnace, using chipping bar. May make titration tests of produced acid. [-] Less

Tends furnace, absorber, cooler, scrubber, and auxiliary equipment used in producing phosphoric acid by oxidation and hydration of elemental phosphorus

patrols work area; observes water levels in scrubber, venturi-duct pan, and cooling-tower basin; and reads flowmeter and pressure gauges on phosphorus... [+] More

Tends furnace, absorber, cooler, scrubber, and auxiliary equipment used in producing phosphoric acid by oxidation and hydration of elemental phosphorus

patrols work area; observes water levels in scrubber, venturi-duct pan, and cooling-tower basin; and reads flowmeter and pressure gauges on phosphorus pump, fans, and blower to verify process conditions. Records or calls readings to operator. Observes flow of cooling water over top and outer walls of furnace to ensure uniform distribution, and notifies operator of malfunction. Takes sample of cooling water for laboratory alkalinity test. Turns valves to transfer acid to specified storage tanks and to start and stop water sprays in absorber, as directed, to control acid strength. Removes and replaces screens and filters, using wrenches. Opens valves to flush phosphorus pump and water-treating equipment with steam and regenerative chemicals. [-] Less

Tends batch still and polymerization vessel to distill and polymerize acrylic acid used in production of plastics

tends laboratory-type batch still to vaporize and condense acrylic acid batch-still operator i. Measures amount of distillate, using burette or gauging rod, and pours... [+] More

Tends batch still and polymerization vessel to distill and polymerize acrylic acid used in production of plastics

tends laboratory-type batch still to vaporize and condense acrylic acid batch-still operator i. Measures amount of distillate, using burette or gauging rod, and pours distilled acid into water-jacketed polymerization vessel. Heats vessel to prescribed temperature, and adds specified quantity of reagents to effect polymerization. Draws samples of product for laboratory analysis. Turns valves to transfer polymerized acid to storage or processing areas. [-] Less

Operates power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semiliquids, gases, or powdered materials, performing any combination of following duties

observes pressure gauges and flowmeters, and adjusts valves to regulate speed of pumps and control pressure and rate of flow of materials. Transfers materials... [+] More

Operates power-driven pumps that transfer liquids, semiliquids, gases, or powdered materials, performing any combination of following duties

observes pressure gauges and flowmeters, and adjusts valves to regulate speed of pumps and control pressure and rate of flow of materials. Transfers materials to and from storage tanks, processing tanks, trucks, railroad cars, ships, canals, and mines. Pumps crude oil from wells. Maintains pumps and lines by replacing filters and gaskets, tightening connections, and adjusting pumps, using handtools. May transfer liquids by siphoning. May connect pipelines between pumps and containers or storage tanks being filled or emptied. May collect samples of materials for laboratory analysis. May determine density of liquids, using hydrometer. May record quantity of item pumped. May inventory contents of storage tank, using calibrated rod, or by reading mercury gauge and tank charts. Usually receives verbal or written orders from superior as to amount to be pumped and is not responsible for mixing or processing. May be designated according to material pumped or area of work as acid pumper; glycol-service operator; irrigating-pump operator; tailings-dam pumper; yard pumper. [-] Less