Assessor Resource

PMAOPS364A
Operate an electrochemical process

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: May 2024


This unit applies to a plant technician who has the responsibility for the operation of an electrochemical process in an industrial scale metalliferous processing facility, for the production of metals. This includes other electrolytic processes, such as electrorefining, electrowinning and other electrolytic cells. It is not intended to apply to processes where the electricity is just a heating mechanism.

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.

This unit requires a detailed knowledge of the electrochemical process, including the handling and stripping of electrodes, and handling of the solutions. It also covers dealing with the associated hazards, such as very high electric currents, high temperatures and/or corrosive or hazardous solutions. The plant technician would be expected to conduct start-ups, shutdowns and isolation of cells, and contribute to the periodic shutdown and start-up of cells for major maintenance or refurbishment.

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

This unit has been written with electrochemical processes for the extraction of metals from their ores, such as electrowinning of copper, zinc, nickel and other metals, where the metal is extracted from an ore solution and electrorefining of copper from blister copper, lead, nickel, silver and other metals, where the metal is purified by electroplating pure metal from an intermediate product. However, it should also be applicable to other metals or ores with appropriate contextualisation. Although aluminium is produced by an electrolytic process, this is covered by other competencies and is not included here.

This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge needed to operate an electrochemical process in the metalliferous industry. This includes electrowinning, electrorefining or other electrolysis process for the extraction of metal from other ore materials.

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

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence are:

early warning signs of equipment/processes needing attention or with potential problems are recognised

the range of possible causes can be identified and analyzed and the most likely cause determined

appropriate action is taken to ensure a timely return to full performance

obvious problems in related plant areas are recognised and an appropriate contribution made to their solution.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment of this competence will occur over a range of situations which will include typical disruptions to normal, smooth operation. This will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability. Where safety, lack of opportunity or significant cost is an issue an industry-based simulation may be employed to assist the process.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, competency and safety requirements of the site and consistent with workplace systems or procedures.

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

Required skills include:

recognising conditions which will lead to out of specification operation

implementing enterprise procedures within time constraints and in a manner relevant to the correct use of the equipment

identifying hazards and safe operating procedures for handling high temperatures and hazardous materials and solutions

conveying information relevant to the operation clearly and effectively

maintaining appropriate levels of quality assurance

reading and numeracy to interpret workplace documents and technical information

applying mathematics to the level of understanding and determination of raw material feed rates and composition

Required knowledge

Required knowledge, to the breadth and depth required for the operation of the electrochemical process, includes:

principles of operation of electrochemical process and ancillary equipment

knowledge of metallurgy, to the extent of determining effects of varying conditions in the cells or process, raw materials feed rates, quality, composition and proportions on finished product composition

process parameters and limits (e.g. temperature, flow and electrical parameters, where applicable)

duty of care obligations

hierarchy of control

communication protocols (e.g. radio, phone, computer, paper and permissions/authorities)

typical issues causing problems and the resolution of those problems

routine problems, faults and their symptoms and the corrective action to be taken

relevant alarms and actions

plant process idiosyncrasies

all items on a schematic of the plant item and the function/principles of operation, and problem solving of each

physics and chemistry relevant to each process unit and the processes used

relevant environmental and heritage requirements

mathematical formulae and their application to determining feed rates and materials properties

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.

Procedures

Procedures may be written, verbal, computer-based or in some other form. They may include, but are not limited to:

all work instructions

standard operating procedures

formulas/recipes

batch sheets

temporary instructions

any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant

good operating practice as may be defined by industry codes of practice

Procedures would be expected to comply with any relevant government regulations.

Logs and reports

Logs and reports may include:

paper or electronic-based logs and reports

verbal/radio reports

reporting items found which require action

Appropriate action

Appropriate action includes, but is not limited to:

determining problems needing action

accessing and applying relevant technical and plant data

applying appropriate problem solving techniques to determine possible fault causes

rectifying problem using appropriate solution within area of responsibility

following through items initiated until final resolution has occurred

reporting problems outside area of responsibility/ability to designated person

Typical problems

Typical problems may include, but are not limited to:

variations in feed material

control of temperature

control of feed rates and composition of feeds

control of impurities, waste material and irregularities

Health, safety and environment (HSE)

All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent HSE requirements, which may be imposed through state 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.

Work requirements

Work requirements may come from briefings, handovers and work orders and may include:

compliance documentation

product specifications

nature and scope of tasks

achievement targets

operational conditions

lighting conditions

plant or equipment defects

hazards and potential hazards

coordination requirements or issues

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
Identify work requirements 
Identify and control hazards 
Coordinate with appropriate personnel 
Check for recent work undertaken on plant 
Note any outstanding/incomplete work 
Check operational status of the cells against requirements 
Complete any required shift handover checks 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PMAOPS364A - Operate an electrochemical process
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

PMAOPS364A - Operate an electrochemical process

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: