Profession bleacher operator

Bleacher operators tend a machine that bleaches wood pulp to serve in the production of white paper. Different bleaching techniques are used to complement the various pulping methods, and to obtain different grades of whiteness.

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Personality Type

• Realistic / Conventional

Knowledge

• 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.

• Types of pulp

  Kinds of pulp are distinguished based on their fibre type and the specific chemical processes through which they were created.

• 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.

Skills

• 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.

• 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.

• Fill the mixing tank

  Fill the mixing tank with the chemical ingredients, allowing also the water through the valves at the indicated mark on the tank wall.

• 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.

• 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.

• Troubleshoot

  Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.

• Measure materials

  Measure the raw materials prior to their loading in the mixer or in machines, ensuring they conform with the specifications.

• Wear appropriate protective gear

  Wear relevant and necessary protective gear, such as protective goggles or other eye protection, hard hats, safety gloves.

• Adjust solutions' consistency

  Adjust the consistency of a chemical solution by cooking it or by injecting steam in order to dissolve it.

• Work safely with machines

  Check and safely operate machines and equipment required for your work according to manuals and instructions.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB