Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
22/07/2026 7:44 PM AWST

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Operate a biochemical process

Operate a biochemical process

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS390
State Code
AXM87
TGA Status
Current
DTWD Status
Approved
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 biochemical process and ancillary equipment to produce chemical or biological materials as product. It applies to biochemical processes that use enzymes, such as amylases; moulds, such as yeasts; and/or bacteria, such as e coli. It applies to batch and continuous processes.Products could include industrial alcohol, corn starch, insulin or other industrial fermentation/biochemical processes. This unit applies to the biochemical conversion plant unit.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 changes from other plant sections on biochemical process, and facilitate output changes. 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. In the case of large complex plant, the operations technician would be part of a team during start-up and shutdown procedures. 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.This unit of competency does not require the operation of a central control panel.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 biochemical unit
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of biochemical unit
2 Operate the biochemical processes
  • 2.1 Describe the type of biochemical plant unit, the component plant items and their duties
  • 2.2 Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork
  • 2.3 Check performance of all ancillaries (such as mixing and heat exchange)
  • 2.4 Recognise and interpret trends in bioreactor data/appearance
  • 2.5 Recognise the signs of potential and actual problems
  • 2.6 Identify the consequences to the bioreactor processes of the identified changes, trends and problems
  • 2.7 Keep conditions within the optimum range
  • 2.8 Take action to minimise the impact on health, safety and environment (HSE) and the business of potential and actual problems
3 Ramp output up/down
  • 3.1 Predict from rates and schedule when a change will be required
  • 3.2 Give advanced notice of change to work team
  • 3.3 Prepare plant for the change
  • 3.4 Predict the required amount of adjustment to cause the required change
  • 3.5 Make the change in a controlled manner without excessive variation
  • 3.6 Monitor the progress of the change and make minor adjustments as required
4 Diagnose and take action on abnormal situations in accordance with procedures
  • 4.1 Monitor biochemical unit and its component plant items frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses.
  • 4.2 Describe impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
  • 4.3 Recognise actual and developing situations which may require action
  • 4.4 Apply operational knowledge to resolve problems
  • 4.5 Take other actions on abnormal situations which cannot be resolved during the shift to ensure safety and the resolution of the situation.
  • 4.6 Follow through items initiated until final resolution has occurred
5 Isolate and de-isolate biochemical unit and its component plant items
  • 5.1 Complete any required pre-start checks
  • 5.2 Start up/shut down biochemical unit according to its type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 5.3 Start up/shut down/changeover component plant items within unit according to their type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 5.4 Isolate entire biochemical unit and/or any component plant item
  • 5.5 Make safe for required work
  • 5.6 Check biochemical unit/plant item is ready to be returned to service
  • 5.7 De-isolate and prepare biochemical unit/plant item for return to service
6 Clean reactors/vessels
  • 6.1 Identify cleaning requirements
  • 6.2 Clean to requirements according to procedures
  • 6.3 Retain microorganisms contained in the plant and prepare for reuse as appropriate
  • 6.4 Dispose of waste materials according to procedures
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8887 PMAOPS390B Operate a biochemical process Unit of competency