Assessor Resource

NWP413A
Investigate and plan the optimisation of anaerobic treatment processes

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit supports the attainment of skills and knowledge required for technical staff with a specific responsibility for optimising mixed, fixed and suspended media anaerobic bioreactor processes in wastewater treatment plants.

This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to evaluate system performance and investigate and report on optimisation of anaerobic bioreactor processes.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to evaluate system performance and investigate and report on optimisation of anaerobic bioreactor processes including:

reviewing existing anaerobic treatment process performance with reference to historical data, differences in feed water quality and plant configuration

identifying data deficiencies and organising additional data collection through appropriate sampling and testing

assessing fault reports and investigating the current operational status of anaerobic treatment process plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined anaerobic treatment process optimisation options

preparing reports with recommendations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources, including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

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

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills:

investigate and report on operational or control system problems

coordinate anaerobic treatment process inspection, sampling and testing

perform mathematical calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions, such as COD removal, volatile solids reductions and solids retention time

operate control and communication systems

use safety and personal protective equipment

communicate with colleagues, consultants and suppliers

produce optimisation reports

interpret a range of complex and technical documents, including relevant:

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

articulate complex ideas clearly

work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders

analyse problems and recommend appropriate remedial solutions

identify and respond to risks and hazards

identify opportunities for improved water management

participate in the provision of appropriate information to inform workplace processes

manage work priorities

use information effectively to improve work performance

prepare and apply chemical dosing.

Required knowledge:

principles that form the basis of anaerobic treatment processes

types of anaerobic treatment processes

anaerobic microbiology

pH, VFA:alkalinity ratio

nutrient requirements - macro and micro

gas production and characterization

inhibitory substances

system layout

principles of anaerobic system maintenance

control and communication systems

relevant historical records

range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

risk management principles related to anaerobic treatment processes

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures

chemical and nutrient dosing processes.

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.

Organisational or legislative requirements may include:

organisational performance standards

standard operating procedures

quality assurance

federal, state and local environmental and water quality legislation.

Processes may include:

upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASB)

fluidised bed reactors

anaerobic digesters

high rate anaerobic lagoons (HRAL)

bulk volume fermenters (BVF).

Manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications may include:

organic loading rate

solids retention time

hydraulic loading rate

temperature

mixing strategy

volatile solids reduction

recycle flow rates

detention time

chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal

volatile fatty acids to alkalinity ratio

intended plant configuration.

Incoming feed quality may include:

chemical oxygen demand (COD)

nutrients

pH and alkalinity

total and suspended solids

salt

inhibitory compounds, such as hydrogen sulphide or ammonia

temperature.

Testing may include:

chemical oxygen demand (COD)

temperature

macro nutrients, such as nitrogen or phosphorus

micro nutrients, such as cobalt or iron

settling tests

pH

redox potential

volatile fatty acids

alkalinity

gas analysis

solids.

Plant components may include:

valves

recycle pumps

mixers

covers

inlet distribution network

gas venting and extraction system

chemical and nutrient dosing equipment

solids removal launders

sampling ports.

Potential changes to operational processes may include:

recirculation rates

addition of nutrients

temperature

pre-treatment to remove inhibitory or toxic substances

alkalinity and pH correction

flow or feed rate

mixing rate

sludge wastage rate.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Review existing process performance data against relevant organisational or legislative requirements. 
Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturers and plant designers' specifications. 
Identify the impact of incoming feed quality on anaerobic treatment processes as required. 
Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance 
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information. 
Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturers' or plant designers' specifications. 
Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken. 
Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies. 
Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation. 
Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options. 
Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

NWP413A - Investigate and plan the optimisation of anaerobic treatment processes
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Assessment Record Sheet

NWP413A - Investigate and plan the optimisation of anaerobic treatment processes

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