Sour Water Stripper
A Sour Water Stripper is an important piece of equipment in oil refineries and chemical plants that cleans contaminated water. Think of it like a giant water purification system that removes harmful substances, particularly ammonia and hydrogen sulfide, from water used in industrial processes. Companies need this equipment to meet environmental regulations and reuse water in their facilities. When you see this term in resumes, it usually indicates experience with industrial water treatment and environmental compliance in refineries.
Examples in Resumes
Managed maintenance schedules for Sour Water Stripper units across three refinery locations
Optimized Sour Water Stripper operations resulting in 30% reduction in energy costs
Led team of operators responsible for SWS and Sour Water Stripper systems maintenance
Typical job title: "Process Engineers"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find Process Engineers
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Professional Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How would you handle a situation where a Sour Water Stripper is not meeting environmental discharge requirements?
Expected Answer: A senior engineer should discuss systematic troubleshooting approaches, mentioning monitoring key parameters, checking equipment condition, reviewing operating procedures, and implementing corrective actions while ensuring compliance with environmental regulations.
Q: What improvements have you implemented to optimize Sour Water Stripper operations?
Expected Answer: Should describe experience with efficiency improvements, such as reducing energy consumption, improving water quality, implementing preventive maintenance programs, or upgrading control systems.
Mid Level Questions
Q: Explain the basic operation of a Sour Water Stripper to a non-technical person.
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain in simple terms how the equipment removes harmful compounds from water, demonstrating both technical knowledge and communication skills.
Q: What safety considerations are important when working with Sour Water Strippers?
Expected Answer: Should discuss personal protective equipment, gas detection, emergency procedures, and the importance of following safety protocols when handling harmful gases.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What are the main components of a Sour Water Stripper?
Expected Answer: Should identify basic parts like the stripping column, reboiler, and condensers, showing fundamental understanding of the equipment.
Q: What are the typical monitoring parameters for a Sour Water Stripper?
Expected Answer: Should mention basic parameters like temperature, pressure, flow rates, and water quality measurements that operators regularly check.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic understanding of water treatment processes
- Reading process flow diagrams
- Equipment monitoring and data collection
- Following standard operating procedures
Mid (2-5 years)
- Troubleshooting equipment issues
- Operating control systems
- Understanding environmental regulations
- Writing operating procedures
Senior (5+ years)
- Process optimization and improvement
- Project management
- Environmental compliance management
- Team leadership and training
Red Flags to Watch For
- No experience with industrial safety protocols
- Lack of environmental compliance knowledge
- No hands-on experience with industrial equipment
- Poor understanding of basic chemistry principles
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