The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, 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 apply fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum principles to the selection and evaluation of components and systems.

This includes working individually and as part of a team and recognising and complying with normal control procedures on engineering projects.

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

Assessors must be satisfied that the candidate can competently and consistently:

review sustainability implications, functions and features of fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum devices, machines and systems

interpret fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum system designs for industry applications

select components for specified technical performance

calculate energy use in fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum system

assess and apply fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum principles and software skills and techniques to engineering tasks.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

This unit may be assessed on the job, off the job or a combination of both on and off the job. Where assessment occurs off the job, then a simulated working environment must be used where the range of conditions reflects realistic workplace situations. The competencies covered by this unit would be demonstrated by an individual working alone or as part of a team.

Where applicable, reasonable adjustment must be made to work environments and training situations to accommodate ethnicity, age, gender, demographics and disability.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and/or assessment support when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Method of assessment

Assessment must satisfy the endorsed Assessment Guidelines of the MEM05 Metal and Engineering Training Package.

Assessment methods must confirm consistency and accuracy of performance (over time and in a range of workplace relevant contexts) together with application of underpinning knowledge.

Assessment methods must be by direct observation of tasks and include questioning on underpinning knowledge to ensure correct interpretation and application.

Assessment may be applied under project-related conditions (real or simulated) and require evidence of process.

Assessment must confirm a reasonable inference that competency is not only able to be satisfied under the particular circumstance, but is able to be transferred to other circumstances.

Assessment may be in conjunction with assessment of other units of competency where required.

Guidance information for assessment

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate and appropriate to the language and literacy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Required skills

Required skills include:

determining and confirming parameters and context of tasks, personal responsibilities, team and support personnel relations, chain of responsibility, WHS, regulatory requirements, risk management and organisational procedures

reviewing sustainability implications, functions and features of fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum devices, machines and systems

assessing and applying fluid, thermodynamic and vacuum principles and software skills and techniques

ensuring clear and logical process of specification development and compatibility of units in calculations

reporting and documenting results of investigation, evaluation and application, calculations, diagrams, programs and files

Required knowledge

Required knowledge includes:

definition of fluid mechanics and thermodynamics and recognition of applications

analytical, graphical, semi-graphical and software assisted techniques for applications for fluid and thermodynamic principles in engineering

energy and sustainability concepts relevant to fluid and thermodynamic applications

principles of turbines and heat engines

basic properties and concepts common to fluids and thermodynamics:

atoms, molecules, inter-molecular forces, molecular motion, states of matter, solids, liquids, gases, basic properties and units

ideal or perfect gases and liquids

definitions

energy types and concepts:

potential energy, kinetic energy and internal energy

chemical energy = energy content of a fuel

work, constant and variable force, relationship to pressure and volume changes

sensible heat and specific heat capacity (Cp and Cv)

phase change, latent heat, enthalpy and enthalpy diagram

heat transfer processes

concepts and properties of gases

energy transfer in closed and open systems:

definition of a closed system

non-flow energy equation definition of an open system

mass and volume flow rate and the continuity equation

fluid mechanics

fluid system components

fluid statics

fluid dynamics

fluid power

vacuum technology:

definition of vacuum

states of matter

purposes of vacuums

degrees of vacuum

methods of lowering pressure:

displacement or transfer of gas

sorption or condensation

barometric pressure:

inverted mercury tube

variation of atmospheric pressure with altitude

quantity of gas:

mole, Avogadro’s Number and molar mass

types of vacuum pumps for evacuating volumes

description of typical vacuum vessels, features and functions

applications of vacuum technology in industry

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.

Fluid and thermodynamic tasks

Fluid and thermodynamic tasks covered by this unit may include:

energy costs, efficiency and sustainability assessment of running boilers, heat engines, compressors or turbines

fluid and thermal system component selection

pumping and turbine system power evaluation

evaluating vacuum system components and performance requirements

Basic properties and units common to fluids and thermodynamics

Basic properties and units include:

mass, weight and force

volume, density, specific volume and relative density

pressure (absolute and gauge), and atmospheric pressure variation

temperature (Celsius, Kelvin and others)

viscosity and surface tension

vapour pressure of a liquid (saturation vapour pressure)

temperature and pressure effects on properties

international system of units (SI)

fundamental dimensions and units

derived dimensions and units

Static and hydrodynamic devices or systems

Static and hydrodynamic devices or systems may include:

floating and submerged bodies

turbine and pumping systems

stationary or moving plates or blades

vacuum systems

Thermodynamic devices or systems

Thermodynamic devices or systems may include:

heat transfer devices

compressors

boilers

turbines

heat exchangers

heat engines

refrigerators

heat pumps

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance

Appropriate licensed technical and professional assistance may include:

technical support and advice relating to elements which have intrinsic dangers, such as:

high pressure

energised fluid vessels

high temperatures and heat energy capacity

wiring with high current control voltages above extra low voltage

professional support for technologies, such as:

specialist electric motor drives and controllers

specialist materials, plastics, metal alloys and nano materials

special processes, foundry, alloy welding, heat treatment, sealing and fastening

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures

WHS, regulatory requirements and enterprise procedures may include:

WHS Acts and regulations

relevant standards

codes of practice

risk assessments

registration requirements

safe work practices

state and territory regulatory requirements

Enthalpy

Enthalpy is a thermodynamic property equal to the sum of the internal energy of a system and the product of its pressure and volume