Occupation intelligence

clarifier

Role lens

Are you interested in a skilled technical role involving equipment operation and quality control? As a clarifier, you play a vital part in refining oleo and oils, ensuring they meet specific standards for use in various industries.

Summary

Clarifiers are responsible for removing sediments and moisture from oleo and oils, a critical step in the production process. This involves operating specialized equipment, monitoring processes, and ensuring consistent product quality. The work requires attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols.

Key responsibilities
  • • Operating clarifying tanks and heating them with steam to facilitate the removal of impurities.
  • • Utilizing strainers to filter out sediments and other unwanted materials.
  • • Removing surface contaminants from hot oleo or oil stacks using skimmers.

Are you interested in a skilled technical role involving equipment operation and quality control? As a clarifier, you play a vital part in refining oleo and oils, ensuring they meet specific standards for use in various industries.

Agriculture Upper secondary education
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Day in the life

What people in this role usually do

Agriculture

Day in the life

A typical day as a clarifier

09
09:00 · Morning
assess oil hardness
Assess samples to make sure that hardness of oils are in accordance with specifications.
10
10:30 · Mid-morning
assess quality characteristics of food products
Assess quality characteristics of food products in terms of the main properties (e.g. physical, sensorial, chemical, technological, etc.) for raw materials, half-finished products, as well as finish products.
12
12:00 · Midday
clarify oil by settlement
Clarify oil by settlement. Leave freshly extracted oils to stand in a small oil drum or bucket for several days allowing solids to settle. After settlement, pour off the clear or 'supernatant' oil, leaving the plant debris at the bottom of the container. These settled solids are called foots.
14
14:00 · Afternoon
perform oil clarification with boiling methods
Clarify oil by boiling with water. Heat freshly-extracted oil with a specified amount of water added. Pour off oil when most of the water has been boiled out, leaving the coagulated solids at the bottom of the container. Strive to leave a solid residue which contains a minimal amount of residual oil.
15
15:30 · Late afternoon
apply GMP
Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
17
17:00 · Wrap-up
apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages
Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

Task order is illustrative. Individual days vary.

Software & Technologies & Knowledge areas
Software & Technologies
Access Software AIRPAXComputerized aircraft log manager CALMEngine analysis softwareMaintenance information databasesMaintenance planning softwareMaintenance record softwareMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordSupply system softwareTechnical manual database software
Knowledge areas
  • alkali stages of refining processes for edible oils

    Stages of the alkali refining process for edible oils which include heating, conditioning, neutralising, re-refining, washing of oils.

  • components of oil seeds

    Chemical constituents of oil seeds, hull content, oil content and the effect of planting and harvesting at the right time for oil extraction.

  • free fatty acid elimination processes

    The processes for the refining of edible oils and fats to eliminate free fatty acids (FFA). This includes the physical refining, a process that builds on the lower boiling point of the free fatty acids compared to the boiling point of the triglyceride oil, and also chemical or alkaline refining, where an alkali is used to neutralise the free fatty acids.

  • mechanical engineering applicable to edible oil seed

    The application of mechanical engineering principles to the processing of edible oil seeds. This includes the installation and repairing of machinery, the use welding of practices, steam equipment installation and the applications of this equipment in the processing of oil seeds and in the production of the oil.

  • oil seed process

    Oil seed process from cleaning the oil bearing seed, decorticating the seed, crushing, conditioning and heating, to filtering and neutralising.

  • origin of dietary fats and oils

    The distinction between dietary fats that come from animals and oils derived from vegetables.

Essential skills
complying with health and safety procedures
  • follow hygienic procedures during food processing

    Ensure a clean working space according to hygienic standards in the food processing industry.

  • apply HACCP

    Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).

ensuring compliance with legislation
  • apply requirements concerning manufacturing of food and beverages

    Apply and follow national, international, and internal requirements quoted in standards, regulations and other specifications related with manufacturing of food and beverages.

  • apply GMP

    Apply regulations regarding manufacture of food and food safety compliance. Employ food safety procedures based on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

operating food processing machinery
  • filter edible oils

    Filter oil as one of the processes of oil extraction. Pump oil, using equipment such as sifters or cloths, and adhere to health and safety regulations.

  • clarify oil by settlement

    Clarify oil by settlement. Leave freshly extracted oils to stand in a small oil drum or bucket for several days allowing solids to settle. After settlement, pour off the clear or 'supernatant' oil, leaving the plant debris at the bottom of the container. These settled solids are called foots.

complying with operational procedures
  • adhere to organisational guidelines

    Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.

operating pumping systems or equipment
  • pump products

    Operate pumping machines according to specific procedures and depending on the kind of product. Ensure correct quantities and adequate feeding for the process.

repairing and installing mechanical equipment
  • disassemble equipment

    Disassembles equipment using hand tools in order to clean equipments and to perform regular operational maintenance.

operating mixing and separating machinery
  • tend mixing oil machine

    Use machines to weigh and mix vegetable oils for products, such as salad oils, shortening and margarine, according to formula.

management skills
  • be at ease in unsafe environments

    Be at ease in unsafe environments like being exposed to dust, rotating equipment, hot surfaces, sub-freezing and cold storage areas, noise, wet floors and moving lift equipment.

Career progression

Growth Pathways & Similar Roles

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

What kind of industries employ clarifiers?
Clarifiers are typically found in industries that process oleo and oils, such as food processing, cosmetics manufacturing, and biofuel production.
What skills are important for a clarifier?
Essential skills include mechanical aptitude, attention to detail, the ability to follow procedures precisely, and a commitment to safety protocols. Understanding of basic chemistry can also be beneficial.
Is this a role that often involves working independently?
This occupation is primarily an employment-based role, often working as part of a production team. However, freelancing opportunities can occasionally be found, particularly within smaller processing facilities or during periods of increased demand.