Google Links

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

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Plan and prepare for compressor operation1
   • Access, interpret and apply compressor operation documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the activity
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues, and implement control measures
2. Start-up compressor
   • Perform pre-start-up checks
   • Start-up individual items of equipment and the entire compressor system
   • Start-up normally and after maintenance
   • Build pressure steadily with no surging
   • Stabilise compressor system to produce specified pressures and flows within minimum time
3. Monitor and control the compressor
   • Complete routine checks, logs and paper work
   • Recognise the signs of potential and actual problems
   • Monitor temperatures and lubrication oil and take action as required
   • Trim plant to achieve required pressures and flows while maximising plant efficiency
4. Change compressor output
   • Predict the need to change compressor output to meet process requirements
   • Change compressor output as required
   • Manage changes smoothly and in a timely manner
5. Maintain plant effectiveness
   • Frequently and critically monitor all plant throughout shift
   • Use measured/indicated data and smell, sight, sound and feel as appropriate to monitor plant
   • Identify critical equipment/processes and tune their performance
   • Identify issues likely to impact on plant performance and take appropriate action
   • Predict impact of a change in one unit/area on other plant units/area and communicate this to relevant people
   • Test trips and alarms
   • Prepare plant for maintenance/vessel entry
   • Complete minor maintenance
   • Receive plant back from maintenance
   • Prepare plant for the introduction of gas and operation
6. Shutdown compressor
   • Determine type of shutdown required
   • Give advanced warning of shutdown
   • Changeover individual items of equipment
   • Shutdown individual items of equipment and the entire compressor system
   • Shutdown in an emergency
   • Reset trips and alarms after a shutdown
   • Leave plant in a condition ready to restart
   • Shut-down for maintenance
7. Conduct housekeeping activities
   • Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials
   • Clean and maintain condition of equipment, ensure suitability for use, and address/report issues
   • Manage and/or report hazards, and maintain a safe working environment
   • Process records
8. Plan and prepare for compressor operation
   • Access, interpret and apply compressor operation documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the activity
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues, and implement control measures
9. Plan and prepare for compressor operation
   • Access, interpret and apply compressor operation documentation and ensure the work activity is compliant
   • Obtain, read, interpret, clarify and confirm work requirements
   • Select and wear personal protective equipment appropriate for the activity
   • Obtain and interpret emergency procedures, and be prepared for fire/accident/emergency
   • Identify and address potential risks, hazards and environmental issues, and implement control measures
10. Start-up compressor
    • Perform pre-start-up checks
    • Start-up individual items of equipment and the entire compressor system
    • Start-up normally and after maintenance
    • Build pressure steadily with no surging
    • Stabilise compressor system to produce specified pressures and flows within minimum time
11. Monitor and control the compressor
    • Complete routine checks, logs and paper work
    • Recognise the signs of potential and actual problems
    • Monitor temperatures and lubrication oil and take action as required
    • Trim plant to achieve required pressures and flows while maximising plant efficiency
12. Change compressor output
    • Predict the need to change compressor output to meet process requirements
    • Change compressor output as required
    • Manage changes smoothly and in a timely manner
13. Maintain plant effectiveness
    • Frequently and critically monitor all plant throughout shift
    • Use measured/indicated data and smell, sight, sound and feel as appropriate to monitor plant
    • Identify critical equipment/processes and tune their performance
    • Identify issues likely to impact on plant performance and take appropriate action
    • Predict impact of a change in one unit/area on other plant units/area and communicate this to relevant people
    • Test trips and alarms
    • Prepare plant for maintenance/vessel entry
    • Complete minor maintenance
    • Receive plant back from maintenance
    • Prepare plant for the introduction of gas and operation
14. Shutdown compressor
    • Determine type of shutdown required
    • Give advanced warning of shutdown
    • Changeover individual items of equipment
    • Shutdown individual items of equipment and the entire compressor system
    • Shutdown in an emergency
    • Reset trips and alarms after a shutdown
    • Leave plant in a condition ready to restart
    • Shut-down for maintenance
15. Conduct housekeeping activities
    • Clear work area and dispose of or recycle materials
    • Clean and maintain condition of equipment, ensure suitability for use, and address/report issues
    • Manage and/or report hazards, and maintain a safe working environment
    • Process records

Performance Evidence

Evidence is required to be collected that demonstrates a candidate’s competency in this unit. Evidence must be relevant to the roles within this sector’s work operations and satisfy all of the requirements of the performance criteria of this unit and include evidence that the candidate:

locates and applies applicable legislation, documentation, policies and procedures

implements requirements, procedures and techniques for safe, effective compressor operations including:

identifying issues likely to impact on plant performance and take appropriate action

predicting impact of a change in one unit/area on other plant units/area and communicate this to relevant people

demonstrates completion of operating compressors that safely, effectively and efficiently meets all of the required outcomes on more than one (1) occasion including:

performing correct sequencing for starting up equipment

correctly operating and monitoring equipment including:

starting up compressors,

monitoring and controlling compressors,

changing compressor output,

maintaining plant effectiveness

test trips and alarms

prepare plant for maintenance/vessel entry

complete minor maintenance according to standard procedures

prepare plant for the introduction of gas and operation

performing checks and shutdown in sequence

---

Knowledge Evidence

The candidate must demonstrate knowledge in compressor operations through:

apply legislative, organisation and site requirements and procedures for:

risk assessment and management

statutory compliance

work health and safety

distinguishing between:

process gas

instrument

equipment (electrical/mechanical)

maintaining compressors

identifying causes of problems and isolate problems to item of equipment

applying principles of compressor operation

identifying the effects of temperature and compression ratio/the need for multi staging

interpreting pressure/temperature relationships and effects on condensation (e.g. moisture and/or gas)

applying control of output

identifying and applying causes of and remedies for surging

applying methods of resolving problem

---