Unit of competency
Modification History
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS304B Operate and monitor compressor systems and equipment
Application
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate and monitor a complex compressor system. The compressor system will integrate several plant items (single unit operations). Operation of the compressor system includes the operation of ancillary equipment that is integral to the system, such as:
- advanced lubrication and seal systems
- inter-stage coolers/heat exchangers
- scrubbers
- surge control systems
- instrument/control systems, such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs) or other process controllers.
The competency applies to compressor systems, such as:
- single/multi-stage rotary compressors (axial flow, centrifugal, turbine and screw)
- single/multi-stage reciprocating compressors.
This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to identify and rectify operational problems, predict the potential impact of compressor output on the operation of the whole plant and facilitate output changes.
This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel, such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls.
This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.
This competency does not require the operation of a central control panel.
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 compressor system |
||
1.6 |
Note any outstanding/incomplete work |
||
1.7 |
Check operational status of compressor system |
||
2 |
Operate compressor system |
2.1 |
Describe the type of compressor, the component plant items and their duties |
2.2 |
Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork taking action on unexpected readings |
||
2.3 |
Adjust operational speeds and operating cycles as required |
||
2.4 |
Monitor or activate safety systems to ensure that any system shutdowns are controlled and conducted safely and effectively |
||
2.5 |
Adjust compressor system and its component plant items as appropriate to their type and duty to maximise performance |
||
3 |
Diagnose and take action on abnormal situations in accordance with procedures |
3.1 |
Monitor compressor and its component plant items frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses |
3.2 |
Monitor impacts of any changes upstream and downstream and take action required by the procedures |
||
3.3 |
Recognise actual and developing situations which may require action |
||
3.4 |
Apply operational knowledge to resolve problems |
||
3.5 |
Take other actions on abnormal situations which cannot be resolved during the shift to ensure safety and the resolution of the situation |
||
3.6 |
Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred |
||
4 |
Isolate and de-isolate compressor and its component plant items |
4.1 |
Complete any required pre-start checks on compressor and auxiliary systems, including oil and water |
4.2 |
Start up/shut down compressor according to the compressor type and duty in liaison with other personnel |
||
4.3 |
Start up/shut down/changeover component plant items within unit according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel |
||
4.4 |
Initiate load-up through the selection of appropriate speed or cycle |
||
4.5 |
Monitor and adjust upstream/downstream equipment as required |
||
4.6 |
Isolate entire compressor system and/or any component plant item |
||
4.7 |
Implement control measures to minimise damage and hazards to/from shutdown compressor |
||
4.8 |
Make safe for required work |
||
4.9 |
Check compressor/plant item is ready to be returned to servic |
||
4.10 |
De-isolate and prepare compressor/plant item 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. |
Hazards |
Hazards include one or more of the following:
|
Situations requiring action |
Situations requiring action include one or more of the following:
Actions on abnormal situations includes the following:
|
Start up/shut down |
Start up/shut down includes the following:
|
Procedures |
All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, include one or more of the following:
|
Operate |
Operate is to monitor, adjust/make change to the production unit and/or its component items to meet specifications, by one or more of the following:
|
Product |
Product includes anything produced by a process step and so includes:
|
Unit Mapping Information
Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS304B Operate and monitor compressor systems and equipment
Links
Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875