Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 4:51 PM AWST

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Operate furnaces to induce reaction

Operate furnaces to induce reaction

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS303
State Code
AXN14
TGA Status
Replaced
DTWD Status
Transition (Replaced)
Current Release Number
1.00
Current Release Date
02/06/2016
View on TGA
State Implementation and Classification
Approved Date
05/08/2016
Field of Education
030717 - Plant And Machine Operations
Original Release Date
05/08/2016
Nominal Hours
40
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate a furnace for the primary purpose of causing, inducing or facilitating a chemical reaction such as cracking, smelting or other very high temperature processes. The furnace will typically be directly fired or may use the feed as the fuel. This unit of competency applies to operations technicians who are required to demonstrate a significant understanding of the process and the equipment operation in order to identify and rectify operational problems, predict the potential impact of furnace output on the operation of the whole plant, facilitate output changes, and operate ancillary equipment, such as:pumpsvalvesfans and dampersutilities and servicesheat exchangers scrubbersfuel systemstapping systems.This unit of competency covers furnaces and furnace processes, such as:thermal cracking catalytic crackingreformingreductioncabin type cylindrical or vertical.This unit of competency applies to an individual operating independently in a plant with local control or in liaison with the control room operator in a plant with a centralised control panel such as distributed control system (DCS) type controls.This unit of competency applies to an individual working alone or as part of a team or group and working in liaison with other shift team members and the control room operator, as appropriate.No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Notes
Elements and Performance Criteria
1 Prepare for work
  • 1.1 Receive and give shift handover
  • 1.2 Identify work requirements
  • 1.3 Identify and control hazards
  • 1.4 Coordinate with appropriate personnel
  • 1.5 Check for recent work undertaken on furnace system
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of furnace system
2 Operate the furnace system in accordance with procedures
  • 2.1 Describe the type of furnace, the component plant items and their duties
  • 2.2 Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork taking action on unexpected readings
  • 2.3 Change rate, grade or specification smoothly
  • 2.4 Manage changes smoothly and in a timely manner to minimise off grade as a result of a transition
  • 2.5 Adjust furnace and its component plant items as appropriate to their type and duty to maximise performance
  • 2.6 Monitor condition of catalyst (if any) and take action to maintain production schedule and quality
  • 2.7 Monitor availability of feeds and take action to maintain production schedule and quality
  • 2.8 Trim plant to achieve required rates and quality while maximising plant efficiency
3 Diagnose and take action on abnormal situations in accordance with procedures
  • 3.1 Monitor furnace and its component plant items frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses as appropriate
  • 3.2 Describe impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
  • 3.3 Recognise actual and developing situations which may require action
  • 3.4 Apply operational knowledge to resolve problems
  • 3.5 Take other actions on abnormal situations which cannot be resolved during the shift to ensure safety and the resolution of the situation
  • 3.6 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
4 Isolate and de-isolate furnace and its component plant items
  • 4.1 Complete any required pre-start checks
  • 4.2 Start up/shut down furnace according to the furnace type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 4.3 Start up/shut down/changeover component plant items within unit according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 4.4 Build production rate steadily with no surges or lulls and bring to stable, in specification operation within minimum time
  • 4.5 Isolate entire furnace system and/or any component plant item
  • 4.6 Make safe for required work
  • 4.7 Check furnace/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • 4.8 De-isolate and prepare furnace/plant item for return to service
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8867 PMAOPS303B Operate furnaces to induce reaction Unit of competency
Replaced By
State Code National Code Title Type
OCK98 PMAOPS313 Operate and troubleshoot furnaces to induce reaction Unit of competency