Froth flotation deinking operator

Froth flotation deinking operators tend a tank that takes in recycled paper and mixes it with water. The solution is brought to a temperature around 50°C Celsius, after which air bubbles are blown into the tank. The air bubbles lift ink particles to the surface of the suspension and form a froth that is then removed.

The following job titles also refer to froth flotation deinking operator:

froth flotation deinking specialist
froth flotation deinking tank specialist
froth flotation deinking tank worker
froth flotation deinking tank technician
froth flotation deinking technician
froth flotation deinking tank operator
froth flotation deinking worker

A high school diploma is generally required to work as a froth flotation deinking 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.

Froth flotation deinking operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

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

wash deinking operator
digester operator
bleacher operator
paper machine operator
paper pulp moulding operator

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

pulp control operator
automated assembly line operator
paper mill supervisor
industrial robot controller
incinerator operator

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of froth flotation deinking operator.

• Types of paper: The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.
• Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose.
• Deinking processes: Various deinking processes such as flotation, bleaching, and washing. These are used to remove ink from the paper in preparation for producing new paper.
• Types of pulp: Kinds of pulp are distinguished based on their fibre type and the specific chemical processes through which they were created.
• Froth flotation processes: The different aspects of froth flotation, used to separate floatable (hydrophobic) and non-floatable (hydrophilic) ink particles.

These skills are necessary for the role of froth flotation deinking operator.

• Concentrate pulp slurry: Measure the weight and concentration of the pulp slurry for further processing and storage by using disk filters and calculating slurry density with specific formulas.
• Tend deinking tank: Monitor the flow of waste paper and set up the controller of the tank in which the paper is mixed with water and heated to a high temperature. Skim the ink froth forming on the surface.
• Work safely with machines: Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.
• Wear appropriate protective gear: Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.
• Separate ink: Absorb the ink from the substrate, which separates solid particles from liquid material by detergency. This facilitates the separation of ink from fibre.
• Monitor automated machines: Continuously check up on the automated machine’s set-up and execution or make regular control rounds. If necessary, record and interpret data on the operating conditions of installations and equipment in order to identify abnormalities.
• Work safely with chemicals: Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.
• Supply machine: Ensure the machine is fed the necessary and adequate materials and control the placement or automatic feed and retrieval of work pieces in the machines or machine tools on the production line.
• Set up the controller of a machine: Set up and give commands to a machine by dispatching the appropriate data and input into the (computer) controller corresponding with the desired processed product.
• Use deinking chemicals: Handle surfactants or deinking chemicals, which remove ink from fibres. Chemicals such as hydroxides, peroxides, and dispersants are used in processes such as bleaching, flotation, washing, and cleaning. Amongst these non-ionic and electrolyte surfactants are the most important.
• Monitor chemical process condition: Monitor the conformity of the chemical process, checking all indicators or warning signals provided by the instruments such as recording instruments, flowmeters and panel lights.

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

• Waste management: The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal.
• Types of bleach: The range of bleach and others chemicals used to remove the colour from materials in a steam cooking process, adjusting the brightness and colour of the materials.

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

• Test paper production samples: Acquire test samples at various stages of the paper deinking and paper recycling process. Process the samples, e.g. by adding a measured amount of dye solution, and test them to determine values such as the pH level, the tear resistance or the degree of disintegration.
• Inspect quality of products: Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.
• Tend bleacher: Add the required amount of bleaching substances and additives and operate the bleaching part of the paper machine, which bleaches the pulp with liquid and solid chemicals, removing any remaining lignin and other impurities.
• Monitor gauge: Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.
• Record production data for quality control: Keep records of the machine’s faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.
• Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.
• Maintain recycling records: Maintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.
• Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures.
• Carry out waste water treatment: Perform waste water treatment according to regulations checking for biological waste and chemical waste.
• Monitor pulp quality: Avoid lesser quality and lower grades of recycled paper and pulp by keeping an eye open for stickies, plastics, colour, unbleached fibres, brightness, and dirt.
• Perform machine maintenance: Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.
• Clean equipment: Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.
• Wash fibres: Remove the chemical solution of the digesting process, making paper pulp soft and fibrous.
• Prepare production reports: Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.
• Coordinate shipments of recycling materials: Coordinate and oversee shipments of recycling materials. Communicate with processing companies and shipping brokers.
• Report defective manufacturing materials: Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.
• 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.
• Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

8171 – Pulp and papermaking plant operators

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References

1. Froth flotation deinking operator – ESCO