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. 

Distillation operators typically do the following duties:

• Operate processing equipment and log equipment checks to follow standard operating procedures and optimizing plant efficiencies.
• Regulate valves, compressors, pumps and auxiliary equipment to direct product flow.
• Support smooth crush plant running by coordinating with plant management.
• Analyze specifications and control petroleum refining and processing units operations to produce lubricating oils and fuel through distillation, absorption, extraction, catalytic cracking, isomerization, coking and alkylation.
• Test liquids and gases for chemical characteristics and color.
• Inspect and adjust damper controls, heaters and furnaces.
• Visit unit to verify efficient operating conditions.
• Read temperature in pressure gauges and flowmeters, record readings and compile in records.
• Inspect equipment to determine nature and location of malfunction like faulty valves, breakages and leaks.
• Clean processing units’ interior by circulating solvent and chemicals.
• Determine malfunctioning units through meters and gauges or lights and horn sounds.
• Set knobs, switches, levers, valves and index arms to control process variables like vacuum, time, catalyst, temperature and flows.
• Read processing schedules, operate logs, test oil sample results and identify equipment controls changes to produce specified product quantity and quality.
• Comply with best practices, standard operating procedures and develop and maintain continuous improvement efforts.
• Control processing units’ activities.

The following job titles also refer to distillation operator:

distillation process expert
oil refinery expert
petroleum refinery technician
refinery technician
distillation operators
petroleum refinery operator

No formal educational credential is generally required to work as distillation operator.

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.

Distillation operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to distillation operator.

gauger
bookmaker
coking furnace operator
granulator machine operator
block machine operator

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

refinery shift manager
petroleum pump system operator
air pollution analyst
mine surveying technician
grants administrator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of distillation operator.

• 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.

These skills are necessary for the role of distillation operator.

• Use a computer
• 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.
• Calculate oil deliveries: Make up receipts and calculate deliveries of oil and other petroleum products. Apply standard formulas to calculate test result values.
• Transfer oil: Prepare specific volumes of refined and unrefined materials for storage; transfer materials that require further processing.
• Keep task records: Organise and classify records of prepared reports and correspondence related to the performed work and progress records of tasks.
• Verify distillation safety: Inspect total amount of oil in storage tanks; ensure safety of distillation activities; ensure compliance to legal regulations.
• Set equipment controls: Manipulate equipment controls to produce required volumes and required product quality. Take into account lab recommendations, schedules and test results.
• Verify oil circulation: Ensure that incoming and outgoing oil circulates through correct meters. Ensure that meters work properly.
• Measure oil tank temperatures: Insert thermometers inside oil tanks to obtain temperature information.
• 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.
• Operate distillation equipment: Operate control panels and other distillation equipment, in order to monitor and adjust product flow, pressure, temperature, etc.
• Clean oil equipment: Clean and sterilise tanks, inflow pipes and production areas; use tools such as scraper, hose and brush; handle chemical solutions.
• Maintain distillation equipment: Maintain and repair equipment; identify and report damaged or malfunctioning equipment.

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

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

• Coordinate oil well operations: Coordinate well operations such as shutdowns and major projects.
• Analyse oil operations data: Record and process oil operating data; comprehend and analyse documents, instruments and data results of laboratory analyses.

8131 – Chemical products plant and machine operators

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References

1. Distillation operator – ESCO
2. List of Refinery Operator Responsibilities and Duties – Great Sample Resume
3. Featured image: By Deutsche Fotothek‎, CC BY-SA 3.0 de