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Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Prepare for work
   • Receive and give shift handover
   • Identify work requirements
   • Identify and control hazards
   • Coordinate with appropriate personnel
   • Check for recent work undertaken on Joule-Thomson system
   • Note any outstanding/incomplete work
   • Check operational status of Joule-Thomson system
2. Monitor and operate Joule-Thomson device
   • Monitor Joule-Thomson system frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses as appropriate
   • Identify impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
   • Recognise situations which may require action
   • Resolve routine problems
   • Take actions on other abnormal situations to make safe and have the situation resolved
3. Isolate and de-isolate Joule-Thomson system
   • Complete any required pre-start checks
   • Start up/shut down/changeover Joule-Thomson device according to the Joule-Thomson device type and duty in liaison with other personnel
   • Isolate Joule-Thomson system
   • Make safe for required work
   • Check Joule-Thomson system is ready to be returned to service
   • De-isolate and prepare Joule-Thomson system for return to service

Range Statement

This field allows for different work environments and conditions that may affect performance. Essential operating conditions that may be present (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) are included.
Regulatory framework	The latest version of all legislation, regulations, industry codes of practice and Australian/international standards, or the version specified by the local regulatory authority, must be used, and include one or more of the following: legislative requirements, including work health and safety (WHS) industry codes of practice and guidelines environmental regulations and guidelines Australian and other standards licence and certification requirements All operations to which this unit applies are subject to stringent health, safety and environment (HSE) requirements, which may be imposed through state/territory 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.
Procedures	All operations must be performed in accordance with relevant procedures. Procedures are written, verbal, visual, computer-based or in some other form, and include one or more of the following: emergency procedures work instructions standard operating procedures (SOPs) safe work method statements (SWMS) formulas/recipes batch sheets temporary instructions any similar instructions provided for the smooth running of the plant
Hazards	Hazards include one or more of the following: process hazards cryogenic materials and hazards cold embrittlement electricity gas gases and liquids under pressure structural hazards structural collapse equipment failures industrial (machinery, equipment and product) equipment or product mass noise, rotational equipment or vibration limited head spaces or overhangs working at heights, in restricted or confined spaces, or in environments subjected to heat, noise, dusts or vapours flammability and explosivity hazardous products and materials unauthorised personnel sharp edges, protrusions or obstructions slippery surfaces, spills or leaks extreme weather other hazards that might arise
Routine problems	Routine problems must be resolved by applying known solutions. Routine problems are predictable and include one or more of the following: pressure differential (DP) out of range feed/product too warm feed/product pressure out of range liquid forming in wrong part of system lubrication system too hot/cold wrong pressure leaking seals/seal gas flow/pressure wrong high thrust forces excessive vibration Known solutions are drawn from one or more of the following: procedures training remembered experience Non-routine problems must be reported according to according to relevant procedures.
Joule-Thomson device	A Joule-Thomson device is any device which requires a gas/vapour to do work, typically by expanding so cooling the vapour (i.e. uses the Joule-Thomson effect). While the vapour will not usually condense in the Joule-Thomson device it will often condense immediately on leaving the device. Some devices may be constructed to allow for condensation to occur within the device, this is sometimes also called the Joule-Kelvin effect.
Monitor	Product produced will be monitored for the following: value of critical variables state (liquid/vapour) production rate (e.g. volume or mass flow rate) other properties as defined in job specifications/procedures Critical variables to be monitored include one or more of the following: temperature pressure pressure drops purity/contaminants inlet guide vane (IGV) blade angles (where appropriate to the device) speed of rotation (where appropriate to the device) other variables (where appropriate to the device)
Joule-Thomson system	The Joule-Thomson system includes the Joule-Thomson device itself and one or more of the following: lubricating oil dry gas seals other seals safety and shutdown systems
Action on abnormal situations	Action on abnormal situations includes the following: recognising actual and potential problems determining problems needing action determining 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 to designated person
Start up/shut down as required	Start up/shut down as required includes the following: start up and shut down to/from normal operating conditions start up and shut down to/from isolated, cold and empty start up and shut down to/from other conditions/situations experienced on the plant

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Performance Evidence

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy the requirements of the elements and performance criteria, and include the ability to:

start up/shut down the Joule-Thomson system

monitor the system

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

determine the most likely cause of routine problems

take appropriate action to ensure a timely return to full performance

isolate and de-isolate equipment

identify hazards and apply hazard control procedures.

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Knowledge Evidence

Evidence must be provided that demonstrates knowledge of:

cryogenic hazards associated with the process and the materials, including metal embrittlement

cryogenic materials, their lines and vessels

Joule-Thomson principles

physics relevant to Joule-Thomson system, including Boyles and Charles laws, adiabatic/constant enthalpy expansion, inversion temperature and product dew point (i.e. dew point of the hydrocarbon, air or other gas being condensed)

importance of the temperature range, (lack of) moisture (and other contaminants) in the process stream, and other critical variables

hierarchy of control

hazards that may arise in the job/work environment, and:

their possible causes

potential consequences

appropriate risk controls.

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