Unit of competency
Modification History
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS241A Operate Joule-Thomson effect device
Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate a range of equipment generally covered by the title 'Joule-Thomson device'.
This unit of competency covers all Joule-Thomson type devices, such as turbo expanders, expansion turbines and expansion engines. These devices are typically encountered in any cryogenic process and are a critical part of the 'cold end' or refrigeration cycle.
This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to start up and shut down the equipment, monitor its performance, identify operational problems and take appropriate action, and maintain records. Generally any adjustment to the Joule-Thomson device will be made remotely by the control panel operator.
In a typical scenario, an operator monitors and operates a cryogenic plant which liquefies hydrocarbons, air or other gas. The purpose of the liquefaction may be to then separate the components by distillation or other means, or there may be other reasons for liquefying the gas (e.g. to reduce volume for shipping). The gas being liquefied may also be the refrigerant fluid used for at least part of the cooling/liquefaction cycle. This may be undertaken in conjunction with other refrigeration and/or cooling processes.
This unit of competency applies to an individual who may work alone although under routine direction and supervision. They may work as part of a team or group and will work in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.
The operator will typically operate the entire cooling and liquefaction operation and so will also be operating a compressor, a heat exchanger and a dryer.
No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Pre-requisite Unit
Nil
Competency Field
Operations
Unit Sector
Elements and Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. |
||
1 |
Prepare for work |
1.1 |
Receive and give shift handover |
1.2 |
Identify work requirements |
||
1.3 |
Identify and control hazards |
||
1.4 |
Coordinate with appropriate personnel |
||
1.5 |
Check for recent work undertaken on Joule-Thomson system |
||
1.6 |
Note any outstanding/incomplete work |
||
1.7 |
Check operational status of Joule-Thomson system |
||
2 |
Monitor and operate Joule-Thomson device |
2.1 |
Monitor Joule-Thomson system frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses as appropriate |
2.2 |
Identify impacts of any changes upstream and downstream |
||
2.3 |
Recognise situations which may require action |
||
2.4 |
Resolve routine problems |
||
2.5 |
Take actions on other abnormal situations to make safe and have the situation resolved |
||
3 |
Isolate and de-isolate Joule-Thomson system |
3.1 |
Complete any required pre-start checks |
3.2 |
Start up/shut down/changeover Joule-Thomson device according to the Joule-Thomson device type and duty in liaison with other personnel |
||
3.3 |
Isolate Joule-Thomson system |
||
3.4 |
Make safe for required work |
||
3.5 |
Check Joule-Thomson system is ready to be returned to service |
||
3.6 |
De-isolate and prepare Joule-Thomson system for return to service |
Foundation Skills
This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.
Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.
Range of Conditions
This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included. |
|
Regulatory framework |
The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following:
All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory or federal legislation, and these must not be compromised at any time. Where there is an apparent conflict between performance criteria and HSE requirements, the HSE requirements take precedence. |
Procedures |
All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following:
|
Hazards |
Hazards include one or more of the following:
|
Routine problems |
Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of the following:
Known solutions are drawn from one or more of the following:
Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures. |
Joule-Thomson device |
A Joule-Thomson device is any device which requires a gas/vapour to do work, typically by expanding so cooling the vapour (i.e. uses the Joule-Thomson effect). While the vapour will not usually condense in the Joule-Thomson device it will often condense immediately on leaving the device. Some devices may be constructed to allow for condensation to occur within the device, this is sometimes also called the Joule-Kelvin effect. |
Monitor |
Product produced will be monitored for the following:
Critical variables to be monitored include one or more of the following:
|
Joule-Thomson system |
The Joule-Thomson system includes the Joule-Thomson device itself and one or more of the following:
|
Action on abnormal situations |
Action on abnormal situations includes the following:
|
Start up/shut down as required |
Start up/shut down as required includes the following:
|
Unit Mapping Information
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS241A Operate Joule-Thomson effect device
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875