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Elements and Performance Criteria

  1. Monitor anaerobic bioreactor performance.
  2. Operate and control anaerobic bioreactor processes.
  3. Compile process records.

Required Skills

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

Required skills

identify and correct operational and control system problems

take samples and perform tests

produce logs and reports

perform process calculations

determine chemical dosing requirements

interpret plans charts and instructions

interpret policies procedures and standards

give and receive instructions

operate control and communication systems

use safety and personal protective equipment

communicate with employees and various customers

operate computerised equipment

Required knowledge

process layout

features and components of anaerobic bioreactor systems

theory of process operation and monitoring

anaerobic treatment principles

chemicals used for pH control odour control nutrient addition

flow measurement

risk factors and potential hazards related to anaerobic bioreactor systems

risk control requirements including safety equipment and material safety data sheets

lockout procedures for mechanical and electrical installations and hydraulic isolation

equipment operation capacity and limitations

operation of pumping and valving systems

control and communications systems

policies procedures and relevant legislation

hazardous materials handling

interpretation of material safety data sheets

chemical and biological principles that form the basis of anaerobic wastewater treatment

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

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to monitor operate and control anaerobic bioreactor processes including

monitoring test results and processes

identifying and reporting faults

conducting routine plant inspections

taking samples and performing basic tests

making basic process adjustments according to instructions

collecting data and completing required documentation

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 andor 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 persons 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 RCCRPL 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 projectbased 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 any cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions and reflecting the requirements of the competency and the work being performed


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. Add any essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment depending on the work situation, needs if the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts.

Processes may include:

solids handling, for example:

anaerobic digesters

sludge disposal

gas production

industrial wastewater treatment, such as:

upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors

hybrid reactors

fluidised bed reactors

fully mixed reactors

sealed reactors

bulk volume fermenters

high rate anaerobic lagoons.

Organisational and statutory requirements may include:

by-laws

organisational policies

standard operating procedures

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) guidelines

environment protection

occupational health and safety

chemicals

dangerous goods

lifts and cranes

National Water Quality Management strategy

World Health Organisation standards

Environment Protection Authority regulations

licensing agreements

electrical standards.

Routine plant inspections may include:

use of equipment, including:

electronic monitoring and metering systems

manual chart recording systems

basic hand tools

sampling and laboratory testing equipment

computerised equipment

communication equipment

personal protective equipment.

interaction and communication with other employees, other authorities and the general public

visual observation

identification of corrosion damage

implementation of reporting procedures that may also include procedures for the implementation of by-laws, organisational policies and statutory requirements.

Tests may include:

settling tests

pH

redox potential

volatile acids

gas analysis

solids

oxygen demand.

System adjustments may include:

pH correction

raw sludge feed rates

digested sludge (biosolids) wasting rates

mixing

temperature

gas disposal

supernatant recirculation.

Process calculations may include:

mass of solids fed to digester

volatile solids loading rate

hydraulic retention time

solids retention time

volatile solids reduction

volume of seed sludge required.

Reports may include:

plant performance data.