Unit of competency Outline
Date retreived
22/07/2026 3:25 PM AWST
22/07/2026 3:25 PM AWST
Whilst all efforts are made to provide accurate and timely information from the relevant source/documentation, please be aware that the information supplied may not be the most current version. The accuracy of the detail has not been confirmed by the Department and therefore should not be relied upon without first confirming the contents.
Determine energy transfer loads
Determine energy transfer loads
Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS511A
PMAOPS511A
State Code
C5986
C5986
TGA Status
Replaced
Replaced
DTWD Status
Replaced
Replaced
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
10/05/2006
Field of Education
030301 - Chemical Engineering
Original Release Date
10/05/2006
Nominal Hours
40
Description
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
No information
This competency unit includes the heating/cooling loads of all processing equipment and requires the quantitative determination of loads. This competency applies to all sectors within the chemical, hydrocarbons and oil refining industry.
Heat transfer modes include:
conduction
convection (forced and natural)
radiation
combined conduction/convection.
Sources of heating/cooling include:
chemical reaction
water cooling
air cooling
steam heating (calculations for saturated steam only)
hot fluid (e.g. oil) heating.
Heat transfer modes include:
conduction
convection (forced and natural)
radiation
combined conduction/convection.
Sources of heating/cooling include:
chemical reaction
water cooling
air cooling
steam heating (calculations for saturated steam only)
hot fluid (e.g. oil) heating.
Assessment context and methods
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.
This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge, which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on the plant and off the plant.
Critical aspects
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to complete an energy balance in a structured way, taking real data from an operating plant.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
realistic boundaries are drawn for the energy balance which align with practical sources of data from the plant
data is collected from the plant with minimum disruption to production
theoretical and practical requirements for the energy balance are consistent
the energy balance data is used to identify and contribute to solutions for plant problems.
This will typically be assessed by one or more energy balance projects on an operating plant. One complex energy balance, or a number of simple energy balances, are required to demonstrate competence.
Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions, which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.
Other assessment advice
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.
Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of heat transfer principles and calculations sufficient to determine the heating/cooling loads of an existing or a new process. Competence includes the ability for the practical completion of the job to apply and/or explain:
conduction
convection
radiation
combined conduction/convection
specific heat capacity
exothermic and endothermic reaction calculations
energy balances.
Assessment for this unit of competency will be on an operating plant. The unit will be assessed in as holistic a manner as is practical and may be integrated with the assessment of other relevant units of competency.
This unit of competency requires a significant body of knowledge, which will be assessed through questioning and the use of what if scenarios both on the plant and off the plant.
Critical aspects
Competence must be demonstrated in the ability to complete an energy balance in a structured way, taking real data from an operating plant.
Consistent performance should be demonstrated. In particular look to see that:
realistic boundaries are drawn for the energy balance which align with practical sources of data from the plant
data is collected from the plant with minimum disruption to production
theoretical and practical requirements for the energy balance are consistent
the energy balance data is used to identify and contribute to solutions for plant problems.
This will typically be assessed by one or more energy balance projects on an operating plant. One complex energy balance, or a number of simple energy balances, are required to demonstrate competence.
Resource implications
Assessment will require access to an operating plant over an extended period of time, or a suitable method of gathering evidence of operating ability over a range of situations. A bank of scenarios/case studies/what ifs will be required as will a bank of questions, which will be used to probe the reasoning behind the observable actions.
Other assessment advice
In all plants it may be appropriate to assess this unit concurrently with relevant teamwork and communication units.
Essential knowledge
Knowledge and understanding of heat transfer principles and calculations sufficient to determine the heating/cooling loads of an existing or a new process. Competence includes the ability for the practical completion of the job to apply and/or explain:
conduction
convection
radiation
combined conduction/convection
specific heat capacity
exothermic and endothermic reaction calculations
energy balances.
Replaced By
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W8896 | PMAOPS511B | Determine energy transfer loads | Unit of competency |
| State Code | National Code | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| W196 | PMC50104 | Diploma of Manufactured Mineral Products | Qualification |
| C653 | PMA50102 | Diploma of Process Plant Technology | Qualification |