MARL026
Demonstrate intermediate knowledge of marine control systems and automation


Application

This unit involves the skills and knowledge required to operate control systems on board a commercial vessel.

This unit applies to the work of a Marine Engineer Class 2 on commercial vessels greater than 3000 kW and forms part of the requirements for the Certificate of Competency Marine Engineer Class 2 issued by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA).

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.


Elements and Performance Criteria

Elements describe the essential outcomes.

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element.

1

Analyse open and closed loop systems

1.1

Open loop systems are distinguished from closed loop systems

1.2

Closed loop manual, time based automatic open loop and feed forward open loop are explained

2

Explain principles and operation of pneumatic control element and systems

2.1

Operation of a nozzle flapper and pneumatic amplifier unit is analysed and applied to transmitters, basic controllers and valve positioners

2.2

Control air supply system is defined

2.3

Principle of operation of direct and reverse acting pneumatic relays and application is clarified

2.4

Application of computing relays is analysed

3

Compare temperature transmitters

3.1

Pneumatic temperature transmitter is defined

3.2

Effect of changes in ambient temperature on thermocouples and resistance temperature detectors (RTD) is explained

3.3

Testing procedures and methods of simulation for both RTDs and thermocouples are explained

3.4

Characteristics and application of thermistors are outlined

4

Analyse application of differential pressure

transmitters

4.1

Application of differential pressure transmitters on board ships is confirmed

4.2

Arrangements of differential pressure transmitters for measurement of liquid levels in both closed and open tanks are explained

4.3

Mechanics for viscosity measurement using a differential pressure transmitter are analysed

4.4

Principle of using a differential pressure transmitter for flow measurement and the need for a square root extractor is explained

4.5

Use of a differential pressure transmitter for flow measurement is compared and contrasted with other types of meters

5

Explain engine room monitoring systems

5.1

Application of different speed sensing systems is analysed

5.2

Operating principles of torque monitoring systems applied to propeller shafting are explained

5.3

Arrangements of shaft power and indicated power monitoring are compared

5.4

Horizontal and vertical float level systems are compared with other tank level monitoring system in common use

5.5

Operating principle of oil-water interface sensor is explained

5.6

Methods of bearing temperature monitoring applied to diesel engine rotating parts are outlined

5.7

Machinery space monitoring and alarm system from a central control room are outlined

6

Explain procedure for transmitter calibration

6.1

Procedure for transmitter calibration for both pneumatic and electronic transmitters is applied

6.2

Test equipment is used for transmitter calibration

6.3

Relationship between process variables and output signals is demonstrated in a graph

6.4

Effects of transmitter dead band are defined

7

Explain operation of pneumatic 3 term controller and controller adjustment procedures

7.1

Common controller actions and applications are outlined

7.2

Operating principle of pneumatic 3 term controllers is outlined

7.3

Procedure for adjusting 3 term pneumatic controllers is applied and effects if incorrectly adjustment are explained

7.4

Typical controller settings for a PID controller are detailed

7.5

Integrated hand/auto station and 3 term controller are outlined and bumpless transfer is demonstrated

8

Explain actuators and control valves

8.1

Arrangements to provide fail safe requirements are outlined

8.2

Control valve and actuator are explained

8.3

Different types of actuators are identified

8.4

Operating principle of pneumatic valve positioners is explained

9

Analyse operation of hydraulic governors

9.1

Operating principle of proportional action hydraulic governors is explained

9.2

Importance of spring stiffness in relation to response is clarified

9.3

Purpose of an isochronous governor is outlined

9.4

Principle of operation of an isochronous hydraulic governor is outlined

9.5

Governor droop and its requirements for stable load sharing and engine stability is explained

10

Interpret electronic systems circuit diagrams

10.1

Electrical symbols commonly used in electronic circuits and sub-circuits are defined

10.2

Printed and colour codes used in electronic circuits are defined

10.3

Operation and maintenance manuals commonly used in the fault finding electronic circuits are used correctly

11

Explain basic operation of programmable logic controllers

11.1

Principles and operation of integrated circuit gates are explained

11.2

Operational function of input/output devices connected to a digital programmable logic controller is detailed

11.3

Methods of operation of flip flops, adders, counters, multiplexers and decoders are outlined

11.4

Methods employed when changing set point values in a digital programmable logic controller are outlined

12

Explain typical machinery space control loops and unmanned machinery spaces requirements

12.1

Fuel oil heating, LO cooling and JW cooling loop showing cascade and split range systems are outlined

12.2

Fuel oil viscosity control loop is outlined

12.3

Common methods of boiler water control and simple combustion control with burner management for an auxiliary boiler are outlined

12.4

Requirements and system arrangements for bridge control of main propulsion machinery including change over from local to bridge are explained

12.5

Common pressure control loops found in a ship’s engine room are identified

12.6

Unmanned machinery spaces (UMS) requirements are outlined

12.7

Troubleshooting procedures associated with control systems are outlined

12.8

Procedures for software version control are outlined

Evidence of Performance

Evidence required to demonstrate competence in this unit must be relevant to and satisfy all of the requirements of the elements, performance criteria and range of conditions on at least one occasion and include:

accessing information and sketch diagrams to interpret and explain testing requirements related to control systems on commercial vessels

applying relevant work health and safety/occupational health and safety (WHS/OHS) requirements and work practices

assessing own work outcomes and maintaining knowledge of current codes, standards, regulations and industry practices

explaining principles of marine automation and process control

identifying and interpreting numerical and graphical information, including schematic diagrams, relevant to control systems on commercial vessels

identifying and suggesting ways of rectifying faults and malfunctions in control systems on commercial vessels

identifying methods, procedures and materials needed to operate and maintain control systems on commercial vessels

imparting knowledge and ideas through verbal, written and visual means

reading and interpreting written information related to operate control systems on commercial vessels.


Evidence of Knowledge

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

actuators and control valves

Australian standards for drawing symbols/layouts for schematic diagrams

bridge control systems

concepts of unmanned machinery spaces (UMS), and automated monitoring and control of machinery

control and monitoring of ship machinery

differential pressure transmitters

electronic systems circuit diagrams

engine room monitoring systems

machinery space control loops and UMS requirements

mechanical and electrical sensors

open and closed loop systems

operation of hydraulic governors

operation of pneumatic 3-term controller and controller adjustment procedures

operation of programmable logic controllers

pneumatic and electrical instrumentation transmitters

principles and operation of pneumatic control element and systems

principles of basic pneumatic systems and action of pneumatic instruments

principles of process control

temperature transmitters

tests and procedures required to meet UMS requirements

total bridge control

transmitter calibration

WHS/OHS legislation, policies and procedures.


Assessment Conditions

Assessors must satisfy National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) assessor requirements.

Assessment must satisfy the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (NVR)/Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF) standards.

Assessment processes and techniques must be appropriate to the language, literacy and numeracy requirements of the work being performed and the needs of the candidate.

Assessment must occur in workplace operational situations or where these are not available, in an industry-approved marine operations site where intermediate knowledge of marine control systems and automation can be demonstrated.

Resources for assessment include access to:

applicable documentation including workplace procedures, regulations, codes of practice and operation manuals

technical reference library with current publications on automation and process control

tools, equipment, materials and personal protective equipment currently used in industry.

Performance should be demonstrated consistently over time and in a suitable range of contexts.


Foundation Skills

Foundation skills essential to performance are explicit in the performance criteria of this unit of competency.


Range Statement

Range is restricted to essential operating conditions and any other variables essential to the work environment.

Meters must include:

area meter

rotometer

target meter

Types of actuators may include one or more of the following:

electric

hydraulic

pneumatic


Sectors

Not applicable.


Competency Field

L – Marine Engineering