The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

interpret features of plant and equipment and parameters to the brief or contract

advise client based on discipline knowledge and OHS and regulatory standards

research sustainability implications and current thermodynamic system design techniques

determine OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

model and calculate using appropriate software and validation techniques

generate and evaluate a range of solutions for feasibility against selection requirements

evaluate and select most appropriate thermodynamic solution

communicate, negotiate and review with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on proposal and sign-off on selection

document evaluation and selection with drawings, specifications and instructions.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, that is, the candidate is not in productive work, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure its correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is able not only to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

interpreting features of plant and equipment and parameters to the brief or contract

advising clients based on discipline knowledge and OHS and regulatory standards

researching sustainability implications and current industrial design techniques

determining OHS, regulatory and risk management requirements

modelling and calculating using appropriate software and validation techniques

calculating, measuring and assessing thermodynamic system performance parameters, such as:

efficiency

fuel consumption

carbon equivalent emissions

evaluating a range of solutions for feasibility against design criteria

selecting thermodynamic systems to match performance and efficiency requirements

communicating, negotiating and reviewing with stakeholders and client throughout process to obtain agreement on proposal and sign-off on system selection

document evaluation and selection with drawings, specifications and instructions

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

typical documentation, drawings, specifications and instructions required in thermodynamic system selection processes

OHS and regulatory requirements, codes of practice, standards, risk minimisation and registration requirements

current options and trends in design, performance analysis, and modelling and simulation software relevant to thermodynamic systems, including underpinning program techniques and software validation techniques

concepts of thermodynamics, properties of substances, conservation of mass and energy principles

Law of Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

second law analysis of thermodynamic systems

actual and ideal gas cycles and vapour cycles

impulse and reaction stages of turbines

theory of heat transfer, such as conduction, convection, and radiation through various materials and geometric shapes

heat flow solutions by analytical, electrical analogy, graphical, numerical, failure effects analysis (FEA) and graphical software solution techniques

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Parameters to the selection requirements

Parameters to the selection requirements include:

determination of the degree of innovation and creativity expected by the client

selection process limits and budgets

product cost limits and budgets

performance and efficiency specifications

equipment availability, capacities and restrictions

specified administrative, communication and approval procedures

other special features and limits in the requirements

OHS, regulatory requirements, codes of practice and enterprise procedures

OHS, regulatory requirements, codes of practice and enterprise procedures may include:

OHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice from Australian and overseas engineering and technical associations and societies

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Initial qualitative and quantitative analysis

Initial qualitative and quantitative analysis may include:

a hazard and risk analysis related to existing or proposed plant or equipment

routine noise and vibration monitoring data or investigative measurements

Appropriate software and validation techniques

Software may be employed for performance analysis/modelling. Underpinning program techniques and algorithms should be understood, such as:

the use of FEA and numerical methods within object oriented modelling techniques

Validation techniques include:

comparison of traditional solutions for simple thermodynamic system performance problems with software solutions to the same problems

review of previously implemented system performance challenges which were completed using the software

Standards and codes

Standards and codes refer to all relevant Australian and international standards and codes applicable to a particular thermodynamic system task

Sustainability

Sustainability is used to mean the entire sustainable performance of the organisation/plant, including:

meeting all regulatory requirements

conforming to all industry covenants, protocols and best practice guides

minimising ecological and environmental footprint of process, plant and product

maximising economic benefit of process plant and product to the organisation and the community

minimising the negative OHS impact on employees, community and customer

Client

Client may be:

internal or external to the designer’s organisation