Chemical mixer

Chemical mixers operate and maintain mixing tanks and blenders in order to develop chemical products out of raw materials, making sure the end products are in conformance to the batch tickets specifications.

The following job titles also refer to chemical mixer:

chemical mixer worker
chemical blender
chemical plant operative
chemical batch blender
chemical mixing machine tender
chemical mixer setter
chemical mixing machine operator
chemicals blender
chemical mixer operative
chemical mixing machine operative
chemical plant worker
chemical plant operator
chemical production worker
chemical mixing machine worker
mixer
chemical mixer operator
chemical batch mixer
chemical mixer tender
chemical process worker
chemicals batch blender

A high school diploma is generally required to work as chemical mixer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Chemical mixer is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to chemical mixer.

paint mixer
nitrator operator
pesticide mixer
tracer powder blender
plodder operator

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of chemical mixer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of chemical mixer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

chemical processing plant controller
chemical plant control room operator
air separation plant operator
air pollution analyst
petroleum pump system operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of chemical mixer.

• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.

These skills are necessary for the role of chemical mixer.

• Measure chemical substance viscosity: Measure the viscosity of the mixed ingredients by using a viscosimeter.
• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Manage delivery of raw materials: Receive raw materials from the suppliers. Check their quality and accuracy and move them into the warehouse. Make sure that raw materials are adequately stored until they are required by the production department.
• Prepare chemical ingredients: Prepare the ingredients according to formula by measuring and weighting the chemical ingredients such as caustic, solvents, emulsions, peroxide.
• Transfer chemicals: Transfer the chemical mixture from the mixing tank to the storage tank by turning on the valves.
• Segregate raw materials: Segregate into batches the raw materials to be further processed.
• Communicate test results to other departments: Communicate testing information such as testing schedules, samples testing statistics and test results, to the relevant departments.
• Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
• Maintain chemical mixers: Tend the equipment and mixers used for chemical substances mixing having as the end products goods used in cleaning, bleaching, finishing carpets or other textiles.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of each batch of product.
• Fill the mixing tank: Fill the mixing tank with the chemical ingredients, allowing also the water through the valves at the indicated mark on the tank wall.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chemical mixer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Centrifugal force: Apparent force that draws a rotating body away from the centre of rotation. Application to machines that use centrifugal forces.
• Manufacturing plant equipment: The characteristics and functioning conditions of manufacturing plant equipments such as chemical reactors, addition tanks, pumps, filters, mixers.
• Hazardous waste storage: The regulations and procedures surrounding the safekeeping of materials and substances which pose health and safety risks.
• Mechanics: Theoretical and practical applications of the science studying the action of displacements and forces on physical bodies to the development of machinery and mechanical devices.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of chemical mixer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Load equipment: Handle safe loading of equipment in given restrictive conditions.
• 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.
• Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
• Unload equipment
• Manage chemical testing procedures: Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.
• Operate lifting equipment: Transport heavy objects using lifting equipment such as cranes, forklifts etc.
• Monitor centrifugal separators: Operating and monitoring centrifugal separators.
• Adjust solutions’ consistency: Adjust the consistency of a chemical solution by cooking it or by injecting steam in order to dissolve it.
• Test production input materials: Test the supplied materials prior to their release into processing, ensuring the results are complying with GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) and to the suppliers` COA (Certificate of Analysis).
• Clean mixer: Perform the cleaning of mixers in order to prepare them for mixing different types of compounds.

8131 – Chemical products plant and machine operators

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References

1. Chemical mixer – ESCO