Unit of competency Outline

Date retreived
23/07/2026 1:59 AM AWST

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Operate a biotreater

Operate a biotreater

Unit of competency
National Code
PMAOPS290
State Code
AXN18
TGA Status
Deleted
DTWD Status
Deleted
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
30
Description
This unit of competency covers the skills and knowledge required to operate a biotreater. Biotreaters use aerobic, anaerobic and/or facultative microorganisms at close to ambient temperatures for the reduction of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) in an aqueous waste stream.This unit of competency applies to operators who are required to operate all components of the biotreater system, identify and rectify operational problems, predict the potential impact of feed changes and facilitate feed changes to meet requirements.In a typical scenario, a plant produces an aqueous waste stream which has a high BOD/is contaminated with organic material. This waste stream is treated using a biotreater to produce a clean, low BOD effluent which is acceptable for discharge either to the sewer (as trade waste) or to a receiving waterway where it is within the environmental regulations/license conditions. This 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 plant item
  • 1.6 Note any outstanding/incomplete work
  • 1.7 Check operational status of biotreater
2 Monitor and control the biotreater processes
  • 2.1 Get information relevant to the operation of the biotreater
  • 2.2 Complete routine checks, logs and paperwork taking appropriate action on unexpected readings
  • 2.3 Keep feed as consistent as possible
  • 2.4 Check performance of ancillaries, such as agitation
  • 2.5 Recognise and interpret trends in biotreater data/appearance
  • 2.6 Recognise the signs of potential and actual problems
  • 2.7 Identify the consequences to the biotreater processes of the identified changes, trends and problems
  • 2.8 Take appropriate action to minimise the impact of potential and actual problems
3 Ramp performance up/down
  • 3.1 Anticipate significant changes in feed
  • 3.2 Breed up/down biomass to prepare for change in feed by changing variables
  • 3.3 Ramp changed feed at a rate suitable for the biotreater
  • 3.4 Establish stable operation for new feed conditions
4 Maintain effectiveness of biotreater system
  • 4.1 Monitor biotreater frequently and critically throughout shift using measured/indicated data and senses as appropriate
  • 4.2 Identify impacts of any changes upstream and downstream
  • 4.3 Recognise situations which may require action
  • 4.4 Resolve routine problems
  • 4.5 Take actions on other abnormal situations to make safe and have the situation resolved
  • 4.6 Predict impact of a change in the processing plant on the biotreater and take appropriate action
  • 4.7 Test trips and alarms as required in liaison with the panel operator
5 Manage impact of shutdowns on biotreater system
  • 5.1 Identify type of shutdown required/occurring
  • 5.2 Identify impact of type of shutdown on biotreater
  • 5.3 Liaise with appropriate people for shutdown
  • 5.4 Arrange to maintain adequate feed to biotreater for a short plant shutdown
  • 5.5 Arrange to preserve adequate seed stock of microorganisms for long plant shutdown or shutdown of biotreater
6 Isolate and de-isolate biotreater
  • 6.1 Complete any required pre-start checks
  • 6.2 Start up/shut down biotreater according to the biotreater plant type and duty in liaison with other personnel
  • 6.3 Isolate biotreater or components
  • 6.4 Make safe for required work
  • 6.5 Check biotreater is ready to be returned to service
  • 6.6 De-isolate and prepare biotreater/components for return to service
No information
No information
Replaces
State Code National Code Title Type
W8863 PMAOPS290B Operate a biotreater Unit of competency