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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Identify the process requirements for a refractory
  2. Recommend type of refractory material
  3. Consider economic and technical implications of different modes of installation

Required Skills

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level required for this unit

Required skills

Apply principles to determine the pH of metallurgical slags

Select appropriate refractories for an application

Select appropriate method of refractory installation and repair

Identify root causes of refractory failures

Required knowledge

Competency includes sufficient knowledge of

metals and their properties and operating temperatures

furnace operations

refractory materials purposes common defects installation and fixing techniques

the limitations of refractories

Evidence Required

The Evidence Guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the Performance Criteria Required Skills and Knowledge the Range Statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package

Overview of assessment

A person who demonstrates competency in this unit must be able to recommend a refractory for application Critical aspects for assessment and evidence are required to demonstrate competency in this unit

The person will be able to select appropriate materials and installation methodologies for specified situations Assessment may be by workplace project case study or suitable alternative The selection should be able to be justified on technical and economic grounds

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

It is essential that competence is demonstrated in the ability to

identify refractory requirements for particular metals alloys slags and processes

recommend refractories that are appropriate from both a technical and economic perspective

determine the mode of refractory failure and recommend a more appropriate solution

Relationship to other units

This unit may be assessed concurrently with other relevant units

Assessment method and context

Assessment will need to occur in an organisation using refractory materials

Assessors must be satisfied that the person can consistently perform the unit as a whole as defined by the elements performance criteria skills and knowledge A holistic approach should be taken to the assessment

Assessors should gather sufficient fair valid reliable authentic and current evidence from a range of sources Sources of evidence may include direct observation reports from supervisors peers and colleagues project work samples organisation records and questioning Assessment should not require language literacy or numeracy skills beyond those required for the unit

The assessee will have access to all techniques procedures information resources and aids which would normally be available in the workplace

The method of assessment should be discussed and agreed with the assessee prior to the commencement of

If evidence is provided from a complete reline or an initial refractory lining then one recommendation may provide sufficient evidence Where evidence is from the ongoing maintenance of an existing refractory then it will be needed from a range of activities to provide sufficient evidence

Resource implications

This section should be read in conjunction with the range of variables for this unit of competency Resources required include suitable access to an organisation using refractories that allows for appropriate and realistic simulation A bank of case studiesscenarios and questions will also be required to the extent that they form part of the assessment method Questioning may take place either in the workplace or in an adjacent quiet facility such as an office or lunchroom No other special resources are required


Range Statement

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.

Principal refractories

Principal refractories includes:

silica

alumino silicates

dolomite

magnesite-chrome,

chrome-magnesite

chrome

insulation and insulating refractories

special refractories (eg graphite, silicon carbide)

monolithic refractories ie cement, plastics, ramming mixes and castables

pH

pH of slags to be identified as acidic, basic or neutral in regards to their interaction with refractories.

Modes of installation

Modes of installation include:

monolithic

fired shape structures

bricks

other (eg sprayed)