Tunnel kiln operator

Tunnel kiln operators control preheating chambers and tunnel kilns to preheat and bake clay products, such as bricks, sewer popes, mosaic, ceramic or quarry tiles. They observe gauges and instruments and adjust by turning valves if necessary. They pull loaded kiln cars in and out of the heaters and move them to a sorting area.

The following job titles also refer to tunnel kiln operator:

tunnel kiln operative
dryer kiln operative
clay tunnel kiln operative
clay tunnel kiln operator
drying tunnel operator
dryer kiln operator
tunnel kiln worker

A high school diploma is generally the minimum required to work as a tunnel kiln 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.

Tunnel kiln operator is a Skill level 2 occupation.

No potential next step identified on the General track track for this occupation.

No potential next step identified on the Expert track track for this occupation.

These skills are necessary for the role of tunnel kiln operator.

• Transfer kiln-baked products: Transfer the baked products from the tunnel kiln into the sorting area by using a transfer car.
• Tend tunnel kiln: Tend the tunnel kiln and the preheating chamber in order to perform the preheating and baking of clay products such as bricks, ceramics or sewer pipes.
• Optimise production processes parameters: Optimise and maintain the parameters of the production process such as flow, temperature or pressure.
• Observe products’ behaviour: Observe the color of fires and pyrometric cones under certain processing conditions such as high temperature.
• Monitor environmental parameters: Check the impact of manufacturing machinery on the environment, analysing temperature levels, water quality and air pollution.
• Preheat kiln car: Preheat the already loaded kiln car by transferring it from drier into the preheating chamber by using a car puller.

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

• Tend drawing kiln: Tend the drawing kiln in order to draw glass sheets of flat glass according to specified thickness.
• Adjust measuring machines: Adjust the tension and the position of the belt on the measuring machines` spindles, following the belt-size chart specifications.
• Tend drying tunnels: Tend the tunnels which are used to dry clay products such as bricks or roofing tiles prior to their further processing into the kiln.
• Operate drying blowers: Operate the portable air and heat blowers by placing them in the drying aisles in order to dry specific products.
• Use measurement instruments: Use different measurement instruments depending on the property to be measured. Utilise various instruments to measure length, area, volume, speed, energy, force, and others.
• Polish clay products: Use abrasives to smoothen the surface of clay products such as sculptures, dolls and models working with sanding papers, manual or power tools.
• Write batch record documentation: Write reports on the manufactured batches history taking into account the raw data, tests performed and compliance to GMP of each batch of product.
• Types of tile: Tiles of different sizes, materials and glazing. Their properties such as weight, propensity to chipping or breaking, moisture resistance, adhesion and cost.
• Load pallets: Ability to load and unload pallets on vehicles in a safe way.

8181 – Glass and ceramics plant operators

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References

1. Tunnel kiln operator – ESCO