Job Description:

• 1) Tends vats that wash and treat nitroglycerin to neutralize acids remaining from nitrating process in explosives manufacture: Admits warm water to vat of nitroglycerin, and introduces stream of air from bottom of vat to agitate and mix product for specified interval.

• 2) Turns off water and air to allow mixture to settle and opens drain cock to draw off wash water.

• 3) Admits prepared aqueous solution of soda ash to vat to neutralize remaining acids, and starts agitating airflow.

• 4) Tests mixture with litmus or other chemical indicator, rewashes nitroglycerin when it tests neutral, and transfers it to storage or processing areas.

• 5) May prepare soda-ash solution, according to formula or proportion table.