Skip to content
ESCO occupation

froth flotation deinking operator

Back to ESCO occupations

Froth flotation deinking operators tend a tank that takes in recycled paper and mixes it with water. The solution is brought to a temperature around 50°C Celsius, after which air bubbles are blown into the tank. The air bubbles lift ink particles to the surface of the suspension and form a froth that is then removed.

8171.3 ISCO 8171 ESCO source
Competences
36
Groups
4
Essential
16
Optional
20

Competences and skills

36 ESCO relations
Essential knowledge 5 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

4 competences
deinking processes

Various deinking processes such as flotation, bleaching, and washing. These are used to remove ink from the paper in preparation for producing new paper.

ESCO source
froth flotation processes

The different aspects of froth flotation, used to separate floatable (hydrophobic) and non-floatable (hydrophilic) ink particles.

ESCO source
types of paper

The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem.

ESCO source
types of pulp

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

ESCO source

Cross-sector

1 competence
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.

ESCO source
Essential skills and competences 11 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
concentrate pulp slurry

Measure the weight and concentration of the pulp slurry for further processing and storage by using disk filters and calculating slurry density with specific formulas.

ESCO source
separate ink

Absorb the ink from the substrate, which separates solid particles from liquid material by detergency. This facilitates the separation of ink from fibre.

ESCO source
tend deinking tank

Monitor the flow of waste paper and set up the controller of the tank in which the paper is mixed with water and heated to a high temperature. Skim the ink froth forming on the surface.

ESCO source
use deinking chemicals

Handle surfactants or deinking chemicals, which remove ink from fibres. Chemicals such as hydroxides, peroxides, and dispersants are used in processes such as bleaching, flotation, washing, and cleaning. Amongst these non-ionic and electrolyte surfactants are the most important.

ESCO source
work safely with chemicals

Take the necessary precautions for storing, using and disposing chemical products.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

6 competences
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.

digital
ESCO source
monitor chemical process condition

Monitor the conformity of the chemical process, checking all indicators or warning signals provided by the instruments such as recording instruments, flowmeters and panel lights.

ESCO source
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.

digital
ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
wear appropriate protective gear

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

ESCO source
work safely with machines

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

Scope note
Includes more generally used small electrical and mechanical tools like drills, manual sawing machines, washing machines, sewing machines, etc. that are also used in non professional environment.
ESCO source
Optional knowledge 2 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Cross-sector

2 competences
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.

ESCO source
waste management

The methods, materials and regulations used to collect, transport, treat and dispose of waste. This includes recycling and monitoring of waste disposal. It excludes procedures related to waste incineration.

green
ESCO source
Optional skills and competences 18 competences

Occupation specific

0 competences

No competences in this bucket.

Sector-specific

5 competences
monitor pulp quality

Ensure quality of recycled papers and pulp, reviewing stickies, plastics, colour, unbleached fibres, brightness, and dirt.

ESCO source
prepare wood production reports

Prepare reports on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials.

ESCO source
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.

ESCO source
test paper production samples

Acquire test samples at various stages of the paper deinking and paper recycling process. Process the samples, e.g. by adding a measured amount of dye solution, and test them to determine values such as the pH level, the tear resistance or the degree of disintegration.

green
ESCO source
wash fibres

Remove the chemical solution of the digesting process, making paper pulp soft and fibrous.

ESCO source

Cross-sector

13 competences
carry out waste water treatment

Perform waste water treatment according to regulations checking for biological waste and chemical waste.

green
ESCO source
check quality of raw materials

Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.

ESCO source
clean equipment

Perform cleaning routines after equipment use.

ESCO source
coordinate shipments of recycling materials

Coordinate and oversee shipments of recycling materials. Communicate with processing companies and shipping brokers.

green
ESCO source
dispose of hazardous waste

Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations.

green
ESCO source
dispose of non-hazardous waste

Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures except for waste incineration.

green
ESCO source
inspect quality of products

Use various techniques to ensure the product quality is respecting the quality standards and specifications. Oversee defects, packaging and sendbacks of products to different production departments.

ESCO source
keep records of work progress

Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc.

ESCO source
maintain recycling records

Maintain records and process facts and figures about type and volume of different recycling operations.

green
ESCO source
monitor gauge

Oversee the data presented by a gauge concerning the measurement of pressure, temperature, thickness of a material, and others.

ESCO source
perform machine maintenance

Perform regular maintenance, possibly including corrections and alterations, on a machine or machine tool to ensure it remains in a proper productive state.

ESCO source
record production data for quality control

Keep records of the machine's faults, interventions and irregularities for quality control.

ESCO source
report defective manufacturing materials

Maintain required company records and forms in order to report any defective materials or questionable conditions of manufacturing machinery and equipment.

ESCO source