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Evidence Guide: NWP412A - Investigate and plan the optimisation of activated sludge processes

Student: __________________________________________________

Signature: _________________________________________________

Tips for gathering evidence to demonstrate your skills

The important thing to remember when gathering evidence is that the more evidence the better - that is, the more evidence you gather to demonstrate your skills, the more confident an assessor can be that you have learned the skills not just at one point in time, but are continuing to apply and develop those skills (as opposed to just learning for the test!). Furthermore, one piece of evidence that you collect will not usualy demonstrate all the required criteria for a unit of competency, whereas multiple overlapping pieces of evidence will usually do the trick!

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NWP412A - Investigate and plan the optimisation of activated sludge processes

What evidence can you provide to prove your understanding of each of the following citeria?

Evaluate activated sludge treatment process performance

  1. Review existing process performance data against relevant organisational or legislative requirements.
  2. Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications.
  3. Identify the impact of influent quality on activated sludge treatment processes as required.
  4. Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.
Review existing process performance data against relevant organisational or legislative requirements.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Review existing operational processes with reference to manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify the impact of influent quality on activated sludge treatment processes as required.

Completed
Date:

Teacher:
Evidence:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identify and coordinate any additional sampling and testing required for valid evaluation of current process performance.

Completed
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Investigate activated sludge treatment plant configuration

  1. Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.
  2. Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications.
Review existing fault reports and other relevant plant asset information.

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Investigate the operational status of plant components with reference to manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications.

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Investigate the operational options for process optimisation

  1. Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.
  2. Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.
Review relevant fault and incident reports and remedial actions taken.

Completed
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Investigate potential changes to operational processes to identify possible optimisation strategies.

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Plan treatment process optimisation

  1. Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.
  2. Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.
  3. Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.
Determine plant configuration and revised operational processes for process optimisation.

Completed
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Plan a trial to test the performance of the determined optimisation options.

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Compile a report making recommendations on optimisation options.

Completed
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Assessed

Teacher: ___________________________________ Date: _________

Signature: ________________________________________________

Comments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Instructions to Assessors

Evidence Guide

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.

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

The candidate should demonstrate the ability to evaluate system performance and investigate and report on optimisation of activated sludge treatment processes in maintaining water quality including:

reviewing existing activated sludge or BNR treatment process performance with reference to historical data, differences in raw 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 activated sludge or BNR treatment process plant components

investigating current and potential chemical addition practices

planning trials to test the performance of the determined activated sludge or BNR treatment process optimisation options

preparing reports making recommendations.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Access to the workplace and resources, including:

documentation that should normally be available in a water industry organisation

relevant codes, standards and government regulations.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with disabilities.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

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

Validity and sufficiency of evidence requires that:

competency will need to be demonstrated over a period of time reflecting the scope of the role and the practical requirements of the workplace

where the assessment is part of a structured learning experience the evidence collected must relate to a number of performances assessed at different points in time and separated by further learning and practice

a decision of competence only taken at the point when the assessor has complete confidence in the person's competence over time and in various contexts

all assessment that is part of a structured learning experience must include a combination of direct, indirect and supplementary evidence

where assessment is for the purpose of recognition (RCC/RPL), the evidence provided will need to be authenticated and show that it represents competency demonstrated over a period of time

assessment can be through simulated project-based activity and must include evidence relating to each of the elements in this unit.

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess the underpinning knowledge. Questioning will be undertaken in a manner appropriate to the skill levels of the operator and cultural issues that may affect responses to the questions, and will reflect the requirements of the competency and the work being performed.

Required Skills and Knowledge

Required skills:

investigate and report on operational or control system problems

coordinate activated sludge and BNR treatment process inspection, sampling and testing

perform various calculations to provide data for the analysis and development of options and solutions, such as F:M ratio, MCRT, return and wasting rates

operate control and communication systems

use safety and personal protective equipment

communicate with colleagues, consultants and suppliers

produce optimisation reports

interpret a range of complex and technical documents, including relevant:

regulatory, legislative, licensing and organisational requirements

codes and standards

specifications

organisational policies

articulate complex ideas clearly

work collaboratively with relevant stakeholders

analyse problems and recommend appropriate remedial solutions

identify and respond to risks and hazards

identify opportunities for improved water management

participate in the provision of appropriate information to inform workplace processes

manage work priorities

use information effectively to improve work performance.

prepare and apply chemical dosing.

Required knowledge:

principles that form the basis of activated sludge treatment processes

principles that form the basis of biological nutrient removal (BNR) activated sludge treatment processes, such as nitrification and de-nitrification, enhanced biological P removal

types of activated sludge and BNR activated sludge treatment processes

activated sludge and BNR microbiology

selectors

membrane bioreactors (MBR)

pH and alkalinity

pre-fermenters

chemical and nutrient dosing requirements

inhibitory substances

bulking and foaming

system layout

principles of activated sludge and BNR system maintenance

control and communication systems

relevant historical records

range of appropriate measuring and testing procedures

investigation procedures

risk management principles related to activated sludge and BNR treatment processes

relevant legislation, standards and workplace policies and procedures.

Range Statement

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.

Organisational or legislative requirements may include:

organisational performance standards

standard operating procedures

quality assurance

federal, state and local environmental and water quality legislation.

Processes may include:

activated sludge treatment processes, such as:

conventional or extended aeration

contact stabilization

high rate

membrane bioreactor (MBR)

intermittently decanted extended aeration (IDEA)

sequencing batch reactor (SBR).

Biological nutrient removal processes:

Modified Ludzac-Ettinger (MLE)

Bardenpho

University of Cape Town.

Manufacturers' and plant designers' specifications may include:

food to micro-organism ratio (F:M)

mean cell residence time (MCRT)

detention time

mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS)

Biological Oxygen Demand or Chemical Oxygen Demand removal

nitrogen or phosphorus removal

suspended solids removal

intended plant configuration.

Influent quality may include:

Biological Oxygen Demand or Chemical Oxygen Demand

pH and alkalinity

nutrients

total and suspended solids

inhibitory compounds, such as heavy metals

temperature.

Testing may include:

Biological Oxygen Demand or Chemical Oxygen Demand

temperature

nitrogen, such as total nitrogen, ammonia, nitrate and nitrite

phosphorus, such as orthophosphate and total phosphorus

settling tests

pH and alkalinity

microscopic observation

oxygen uptake rates

respiration rates

dissolved oxygen

redox potential

suspended solids, such as total and volatile.

Plant components may include:

valves

return and wasting pumps

aeration equipment

chemical and nutrient dosing equipment

decanters

sedimentation tanks

on-line analysers.

Potential changes to operational processes may include:

Food:Microorganism (F:M) ratio

Mean Cell Residues Time (MCRT)

Mixed Liquor Suspended Solids (MLSS)

return and waste activated sludge rates

chemical and nutrient addition

pre-treatment to remove inhibitory or toxic substances

alkalinity and pH correction

mixed liquor recycle rates

phase timing in intermittent or batch processes.