Job Description:

• 1) Controls agitator tank to wash benzol, benzene, toluene, and xylene with sulfuric acid and caustic soda to remove impurities: Turns valves and starts pumps to charge agitator vessel with specified amount of benzol or derivatives.

• 2) Drains measured quantity of acid into vessel and starts agitator to mix contents for specified time.

• 3) Stops agitator to allow acid and sludge to settle.

• 4) Draws sample of washed product for laboratory colorimetry test to determine need for further washing.

• 5) Opens valve, using wrench, to drain excess acid and sludge, adds caustic soda solution to neutralize remaining acid, and measures alkalinity, using standard titration test.

• 6) Adds water, agitates mixture to wash out traces of caustic, and drains off water after contents have settled.

• 7) Pumps washed benzol or derivatives into storage tank.

• 8) Turns valves to admit steam to sludge kettle, solidifying sludge.

• 9) Lifts kettle cover, using chain hoist, and removes sludge from kettle.

• 10) May distill washed benzol in batch still.

• 11) May remove impurities from crude ethylbenzene by adding lime and water and agitating mixture.