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Follow the links below to find material targeted to the unit's elements, performance criteria, required skills and knowledge

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Evaluate anaerobic treatment process performance
   • Review existing process performance data.
   • Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.
   • Identify the impact of incoming feed quality on anaerobic treatment processes.
   • Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.
2. Investigate anaerobic treatment plant configuration
   • 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.
   • Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies.
3. Investigate the operational options for process optimisation
   • Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.
   • Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.
4. Develop and record a plan for process optimisation
   • 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.
5. Evaluate anaerobic treatment process performance
   • Review existing process performance data.
   • Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturer and plant designer specifications.
   • Identify the impact of incoming feed quality on anaerobic treatment processes.
   • Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.
6. Investigate anaerobic treatment plant configuration
   • 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.
   • Carry out investigations to identify potential deficiencies.
7. Investigate the operational options for process optimisation
   • Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.
   • Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.
8. Develop and record a plan for process optimisation
   • 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.

Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

coordinating anaerobic treatment process inspection, sampling and testing, including the following tests:

chemical oxygen demand (COD)

temperature

macro nutrients, including nitrogen or phosphorus

micro nutrients, including cobalt or iron

settling tests

pH

redox potential

volatile fatty acids

alkalinity

gas analysis

solids

performing mathematical calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions, including at least one of:

COD removal

volatile solids reductions

solids retention time

interpreting a range of complex and technical documents, including at least one of:

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

evaluating system performance

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:

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

preparing reports with recommendations

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

principles that form the basis of anaerobic treatment processes including:

design parameters:

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

feed water quality:

chemical oxygen demand (COD)

nutrients

pH and alkalinity

total and suspended solids

salt

inhibitory compounds

temperature

types of anaerobic treatment processes including:

up flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactors (UASB)

fluidised bed reactors

anaerobic digesters

high rate anaerobic lagoons (HRAL)

bulk volume fermenters (BVF)

anaerobic microbiology

pH

VFA: alkalinity ratio

nutrient requirements – macro and micro

gas production and characterisation

inhibitory substances

system layout

principles of anaerobic system maintenance

range of appropriate procedures (measuring and testing, investigation)

risk management principles relating to anaerobic treatment processes

chemical and nutrient dosing processes

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