"REFINERY OPERATOR"
Job Description and Jobs

Analyzes specifications and controls continuous operation of petroleum refining and processing units to produce products, such as gasoline, kerosene, and fuel and lubricating oils, by such methods as distillation, absorption, extraction, adsorption, thermal and catalytic cracking and reforming, polymerization, isomerization, coking, visbreaking, and alkylation: Reads processing schedules, operating logs, test results of oil samples, and laboratory recommendations to determine changes in equipment controls required to produce specified quantity and quality of product.

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Moves and sets controls, such as knobs, valves, switches, levers, and index arms, on control panels to control process variables, such as flows, temperatures, pressures, vacuum, time, catalyst, and chemicals, by automatic regulation and remote control of processing units, such as heaters, furnaces, compressors, exchangers, reactors, quenchers, stabilizers, fractionators, rechargers, absorbers, strippers, debutanizers, stills, and towers [CONTROL-PANEL OPERATOR (petrol. refin.)]. Moves controls to regulate valves, pumps, compressors, and auxiliary equipment to direct flow of product. Reads temperature and pressure gauges and flowmeters, records readings, and compiles operating records. Determines malfunctioning units by observing control instruments, such as meters and gauges, or by automatic warning signals, such as lights and sounding of horns. Inspects equipment to determine location and nature of malfunction, such as leaks, breakages, and faulty valves. Determines need for schedules and performs repair and maintenance of equipment. Patrols unit to verify safe and efficient operating conditions. May sample liquids and gases [SAMPLER (petrol. refin.)] and test products for chemical characteristics and color [TESTER (petrol. refin.)]. May inspect and adjust furnaces, heaters, and damper controls. May lubricate equipment. May clean interior of processing units by circulating chemicals and solvents through them. May treat products [TREATER (petrol. refin.)]. May control activities of several processing units operated in conjunction. May be designated according to process involved or plant operated as Absorption Plant Operator (petrol. refin.); Purification Operator (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Cracking Unit (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Polymerization Plant (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Reforming Unit (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Visbreaking (petrol. refin.). May be designated: Refinery Operator, Alkylation (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Coking (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Crude Unit (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Gas Plant (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Light-Ends Recovery (petrol. refin.); Refinery Operator, Vapor Recovery Unit (petrol. refin.).