Assessor Resource

PPMPUL320
Prepare and start up pulping system operations

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit of competency describes the outcomes required to conduct pre-operational checks, bring pulping system operations online and stabilise system operations after startup.

The unit applies to operators and technicians who prepare and start up pulping system operations in a pulp or paper manufacturing facility. This typically involves working in a facility with complex integrated equipment and continuous operations.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory, or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.

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



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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Determine production requirements

1.1 Identify production requirements to plan system operations and startup processes.

1.2. Determine grade type and flow rate for production and communicate to pulping system operators.

1.3. Determine availability and co-ordinate process supplies and supply systems to meet production requirements.

1.4. Confirm readiness of downstream facilities to receive pulping process product and by products.

2. Inspect and prepare systems for startup

2.1. Conduct system inspections and pre-start up safety checks in line with organisational safety and standard operating procedures.

2.2. Remove isolations and establish and confirm operational settings to required specification.

2.3. Set delivery systems for operation.

2.4. Check monitoring devices and alarm systems and confirm as operational.

2.5. Detect deviations from operational specifications and rectify or report.

3. Start up pulping operations

3.1. Activate and confirm pulping systems as operational.

3.2. Co-ordinate equipment startups for production.

3.3. Confirm production ready status to relevant personnel.

4. Stabilise system operations

4.1. Monitor operational parameters after startup to ensure pulping system operations are within specification

4.2. Sample and test pulp to verify product meets quality specifications.

4.3. Adjust system operational parameters to rectify variations from specifications.

4.4. Record system startup, operational and product quality data in operating log.

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must be able to provide evidence that they can:

identify production requirements and manage pulping system startup within a pulp or paper manufacturing facility, at least twice in line with required enterprise intervals

for each of the above system startups, complete pre-startup safety checks

record system startup processes and operational and product quality data in the operating log.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

system layout for pulping plant

purpose, features and operation of pulping plant, operating parameters and allowable variations

operation and application of electronic and other control systems

process stages and key control points for starting up pulping systems:

pre-startup safety checks

process control points in preparation stage

process control points in monitoring startup stage

purpose of, and processes for sampling and testing product quality, plant and system operations and diagnosing deviations from operational specifications

quality requirements for different types of pulped product including:

bleached or unbleached pulp

fluff pulp

crumbed pulp

baled, rolled or sheet pulp

slushed pulp

effect of post startup process adjustments on product quality and productivity

causes and effects of process variation between upstream and downstream customers

safe handling of materials and chemicals

organisational procedures:

standard operating procedures specific to starting up pulping systems

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out, use of personal protective equipment and handling hazardous substances

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting startup processes, operational and product quality data.

The following resources must be made available:

access to the full range of equipment involved in integrated continuous manufacturing of pulping operations in a pulp or paper mill

fully automated, semi-automated, manually operated plant and equipment appropriate to pulping systems and related consumables

pulping systems include one or more of the following:

power and steam systems

hydraulic and electrical systems

pneumatic systems

consumable materials include one or more of the following:

woodchips

pulp

chemicals

personal protective equipment suitable for starting up pulping systems

details of production requirements to plan system operations

template operating log for recording startup processes, operational and product quality data

organisational workplace health and safety and standard operating procedures for starting up pulping systems

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or in a productive environment that accurately reflects performance in a workplace.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.


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.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions.

1. Determine production requirements

1.1 Identify production requirements to plan system operations and startup processes.

1.2. Determine grade type and flow rate for production and communicate to pulping system operators.

1.3. Determine availability and co-ordinate process supplies and supply systems to meet production requirements.

1.4. Confirm readiness of downstream facilities to receive pulping process product and by products.

2. Inspect and prepare systems for startup

2.1. Conduct system inspections and pre-start up safety checks in line with organisational safety and standard operating procedures.

2.2. Remove isolations and establish and confirm operational settings to required specification.

2.3. Set delivery systems for operation.

2.4. Check monitoring devices and alarm systems and confirm as operational.

2.5. Detect deviations from operational specifications and rectify or report.

3. Start up pulping operations

3.1. Activate and confirm pulping systems as operational.

3.2. Co-ordinate equipment startups for production.

3.3. Confirm production ready status to relevant personnel.

4. Stabilise system operations

4.1. Monitor operational parameters after startup to ensure pulping system operations are within specification

4.2. Sample and test pulp to verify product meets quality specifications.

4.3. Adjust system operational parameters to rectify variations from specifications.

4.4. Record system startup, operational and product quality data in operating log.

Not Applicable

A person demonstrating competency in this unit must satisfy all of the elements, performance criteria and foundation skills of this unit, and must be able to provide evidence that they can:

identify production requirements and manage pulping system startup within a pulp or paper manufacturing facility, at least twice in line with required enterprise intervals

for each of the above system startups, complete pre-startup safety checks

record system startup processes and operational and product quality data in the operating log.

A person competent in this unit must be able to demonstrate knowledge of:

system layout for pulping plant

purpose, features and operation of pulping plant, operating parameters and allowable variations

operation and application of electronic and other control systems

process stages and key control points for starting up pulping systems:

pre-startup safety checks

process control points in preparation stage

process control points in monitoring startup stage

purpose of, and processes for sampling and testing product quality, plant and system operations and diagnosing deviations from operational specifications

quality requirements for different types of pulped product including:

bleached or unbleached pulp

fluff pulp

crumbed pulp

baled, rolled or sheet pulp

slushed pulp

effect of post startup process adjustments on product quality and productivity

causes and effects of process variation between upstream and downstream customers

safe handling of materials and chemicals

organisational procedures:

standard operating procedures specific to starting up pulping systems

workplace health and safety with particular emphasis on equipment lock out, use of personal protective equipment and handling hazardous substances

communication reporting lines

recording and reporting startup processes, operational and product quality data.

The following resources must be made available:

access to the full range of equipment involved in integrated continuous manufacturing of pulping operations in a pulp or paper mill

fully automated, semi-automated, manually operated plant and equipment appropriate to pulping systems and related consumables

pulping systems include one or more of the following:

power and steam systems

hydraulic and electrical systems

pneumatic systems

consumable materials include one or more of the following:

woodchips

pulp

chemicals

personal protective equipment suitable for starting up pulping systems

details of production requirements to plan system operations

template operating log for recording startup processes, operational and product quality data

organisational workplace health and safety and standard operating procedures for starting up pulping systems

relevant personnel for the purposes of communicating information

Competency is to be assessed in the workplace or in a productive environment that accurately reflects performance in a workplace.

Assessor requirements

Assessors must:

hold the appropriate assessor competency standards as outlined in regulations; and

be able to demonstrate vocational competencies at least to the level being assessed; and

be able to demonstrate how they are continuing to develop their VET knowledge and skills as well as maintaining their industry currency and assessor competence.

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 production requirements to plan system operations and startup processes. 
Determine grade type and flow rate for production and communicate to pulping system operators. 
Determine availability and co-ordinate process supplies and supply systems to meet production requirements. 
Confirm readiness of downstream facilities to receive pulping process product and by products. 
Conduct system inspections and pre-start up safety checks in line with organisational safety and standard operating procedures. 
Remove isolations and establish and confirm operational settings to required specification. 
Set delivery systems for operation. 
Check monitoring devices and alarm systems and confirm as operational. 
Detect deviations from operational specifications and rectify or report. 
Activate and confirm pulping systems as operational. 
Co-ordinate equipment startups for production. 
Confirm production ready status to relevant personnel. 
Monitor operational parameters after startup to ensure pulping system operations are within specification 
Sample and test pulp to verify product meets quality specifications. 
Adjust system operational parameters to rectify variations from specifications. 
Record system startup, operational and product quality data in operating log. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PPMPUL320 - Prepare and start up pulping system operations
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

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Assessor name:

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Assessment Record Sheet

PPMPUL320 - Prepare and start up pulping system operations

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:

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