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Unit of competency details

PMAOPS310 - Operate and troubleshoot distillation system (Release 1)

Summary

Usage recommendation:
Current
Mapping:
MappingNotesDate
Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS301 - Operate a distillation unit 15/Nov/2020

Release Status:
Current
Releases:
ReleaseRelease date
1 1 (this release) 16/Nov/2020


Classifications

SchemeCodeClassification value
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 030717 Plant And Machine Operations  

Classification history

SchemeCodeClassification valueStart dateEnd date
ASCED Module/Unit of Competency Field of Education Identifier 030717 Plant And Machine Operations  16/Nov/2020 
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Unit of competency

Modification History

Release 1. Unit code and title changed. Application and Performance Criteria changed. Range of Conditions removed. Assessment Requirements changed. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS301 Operate a distillation unit.

Application

This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to operate a distillation system. This may involve one or more distillation columns and their associated equipment, and piping and controls operated together to separate two or more components to produce a product to specification.

This unit applies to autonomous operators who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the operation of equipment in a plant from a central control room.

This unit 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. It does not require the operation of a central control panel.

No licensing or certification requirements exist at the time of publication. Relevant legislation, industry standards and codes of practice within Australia must be applied.

Pre-requisite Unit

Nil

Competency Field

Operations

Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements 

Performance Criteria 

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1. Operate distillation system according to procedures

1.1 Receive and give shift handover

1.2 Communicate with personnel to identify and coordinate work requirements

1.3 Identify, control and report process system hazards

1.4 Check for recent work undertaken on distillation system and address outstanding and incomplete work

1.5 Check operational status of process system

1.6 Perform routine checks and complete logs and paperwork, taking appropriate action on unexpected readings

1.7 Adjust process system according to agreed operational parameters

2. Identify and respond to abnormal situations during operation

2.1 Monitor distillation system frequently and critically throughout shift using own senses, and measured and indicated data

2.2 Monitor field data and instrumentation to ensure that product remains on specification

2.3 Identify impacts of changes upstream and downstream

2.4 Identify actual and developing situations that may require action

2.5 Take action to remedy abnormal situations according to operating procedures

2.6 Complete required documents outlining abnormal situation management and corrective action taken

3. Shut down and prepare distillation system for maintenance

3.1 Prepare process system to be shut down according to operating procedures

3.2 Complete pre-shutdown checks according to operating procedures

3.3 Shut down process system according to operating procedures

3.4 Identify, control and report shutdown hazards

3.5 Monitor shutdown and identify abnormal situations that may require action

3.6 Take action to remedy abnormal situations according to operating procedures

3.7 Shut down and changeover duty and standby equipment according to operating procedures

3.8 Isolate process system from energy sources

4. Prepare and start up distillation system

4.1 De-isolate and prepare process system to be returned to standby or service

4.2 Complete pre-start checks according to operating procedures

4.3 Start up process system according to operating procedures

4.4 Identify, control and report startup hazards

4.5 Monitor startup and identify abnormal situations that may require action

4.6 Take action to remedy abnormal situations according to operating procedures

Foundation Skills

This section describes those language, literacy, numeracy and employment skills that are essential to performance.

  • Learning skills to follow instructions, monitor process and select appropriate procedure.
  • Reading skills to follow written procedures and documentation.
  • Writing skills to complete workplace documentation.
  • Oral communication skills to liaise and coordinate with team members and the control-room operator.
  • Numeracy skills to monitor field data, instrumentation and process parameters.

Other foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.

Unit Mapping Information

Release 1. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS301 Operate a distillation unit.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875

 

Assessment requirements

Modification History

Release 1. Unit code and title changed. Application and Performance Criteria changed. Range of Conditions removed. Assessment Requirements changed. Supersedes and is equivalent to PMAOPS301 Operate a distillation unit.

Performance Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has completed the tasks outlined in the elements and performance criteria of this unit:

  • at least 2 times, each in a separate work context.

Knowledge Evidence

There must be evidence the candidate has knowledge of:

  • distillation principles, including stripping and rectification
  • all items on a schematic of the distillation system, including:
  • type of distillation unit, the component plant items and their functions, including column, tray/packing, condenser and reboiler operations
  • interactions between plant items and processes
  • operating parameters and integrity limits, including temperature, pressure and flow
  • procedures for starting, stopping, operating, controlling and isolating the system
  • methods of changing production rate, product specifications and process variables
  • impact of external factors (including variations in weather)
  • physics and chemistry to the level of being able to provide an overview of the science of the distillation process
  • distillation system abnormal situations and required actions, including but not limited to:
  • process-feed variations
  • instrument failure/wrong reading
  • electrical failure
  • mechanical failure
  • operational problem
  • flooding
  • channelling (packed column)
  • dumping
  • entrainment
  • loss of control of critical variables and outputs
  • variations in feed rates
  • variations in quality
  • hierarchy of control
  • distillation hazards:
  • possible causes
  • potential consequences
  • appropriate risk controls
  • reporting and escalation procedures.

Assessment Conditions

Skills must have been demonstrated in the workplace or in a simulated environment that reflects workplace conditions and contingencies. The following conditions must be met for this unit:

  • use of suitable facilities, equipment and resources, including:
  • distillation system
  • operating procedures
  • abnormal situations must be relevant to distillation systems.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Links

Companion Volume implementation guides are found in VETNet - https://vetnet.gov.au/Pages/TrainingDocs.aspx?q=9fc2cf53-e570-4e9f-ad6a-b228ffdb6875