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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Produce chemical pulp from wood chips using a vertical continuous digester 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114252  Produce chemical pulp from wood chips using a vertical continuous digester 
ORIGINATOR
SGB Pulp and Paper 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY
-  
FIELD SUBFIELD
Field 06 - Manufacturing, Engineering and Technology Manufacturing and Assembly 
ABET BAND UNIT STANDARD TYPE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL CREDITS
Undefined  Regular  Level 4  NQF Level 04  34 
REGISTRATION STATUS REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Registered" 		 2004-02-11  2007-02-11  SAQA 2152/04 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2008-02-11   2011-02-11  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This unit standard replaces: 
US ID Unit Standard Title Pre-2009 NQF Level NQF Level Credits Replacement Status

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD 
Qualifying learners will be able to produce chemical pulp using a vertical continuous digester by operating, monitoring and controlling the process whilst adhering to Safety, Health, Environmental and Quality requirements. They also understand the fundamental process principles of producing chemical pulp using a vertical continuous digester. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners attempting this unit standard are required to read, understand and interpret operating manuals that are of a technical nature. It is therefore required that they have achieved NQF level 3 or equivalent accreditation. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
This unit standard covers the process from the chip feeder to the blow tanks. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Learners can discuss and explain the fundamental principles of producing chemical pulp. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Learners can discuss and explain the fundamental principles of producing chemical pulp using a vertical continuous digester. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The purpose of the process as well as the relationship to the supplier and customer`s processes is discussed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. All items of equipment are identified and their functions are discussed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The effects of the process variables on the properties of chemical pulp are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Process Variables
Temperature, pressure, pulping liquor, pulping liquor charge and chip quality.
Properties
Kappa number, freeness and shive count, wash ratios.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The Standard Operating Procedures for producing chemical pulp using a vertical continuous digester are discussed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. All quality specifics are discussed and explained. 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
The learner will be able to engage in the operational processes. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
The learner will be able to engage in the operational processes and procedures of producing chemical pulp using a vertical continuous digester. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The pre-checks are carried out and the process is started up. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Process variables are set to customer and product requirements. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The process is shut down. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The emergency shut down procedures are discussed, explained and simulated or demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5 
5. Plant is prepared for maintenance. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Electrical, instrumentation, process and mechanical isolations.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
The learner will have learned to monitor and control the process of producing chemical pulp. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
The learner will have learned to monitor and control the process of producing chemical pulp using a vertical continuous digester. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The process variables are monitored and recorded. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Process variables are evaluated and deviations are brought into control. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Pressure, temperature, pulping liquor, pulping liquor charge and chip quality.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Product variations are evaluated and deviations are brought into control. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
H-factor, Kappa number, freeness and shive count, wash ratios.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
The learner will have learned to adhere to Safety, Health and Environmental requirements. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
The learner will have learned to adhere to Safety, Health and Environmental requirements including the requirements of Standard Operating Procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Hazards and risks associated with the process are identified and relevant prescribed precautions are discussed and explained or demonstrated. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Environmental hazards are identified and the relevant precautions to be taken are explained according to plant environmental procedures. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The consequences of inefficient operations are explained in terms of cost and environmental impact. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Company safety procedures and housekeeping standards are understood and adhered to. 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
1. Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.

2. Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.

3. Moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the moderation guidelines in the relevant qualification and the agreed ETQA procedures. 

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE 
Things the learner knows and can explain:

Names, Functions and Locations of
  • All items of installed equipment
  • Raw material/s
  • Intermediate product/s
  • Finished product/s

    Description, properties and characteristics of
  • Raw material/s
  • Product/s
  • Process equipment
  • Auxiliary equipment
  • Process system/s
  • Utilities

    The Purpose of the
  • Process, in terms of product/s, efficiencies and quality

    Causes, effects and implications of
  • Process variables
  • Raw material variables (suppliers)
  • Product variables (customers)
  • Hazards
  • Not complying with safety standards
  • Not complying with standard operating procedures
  • Not complying with quality specifications

    Procedures and techniques of
  • Standard Operating for the starting up, monitoring, controlling and shutting down of the process
  • Recording and reporting data

    Regulations, legislation, agreements and policies related to:
  • Occupational Health and Safety Act
  • Environmental issues
  • Housekeeping
  • Company Safety Procedures
  • Standard Operating procedures
  • Quality specifications
  • Relevant mensuration and units 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems:
  • Evaluate variables and bring deviations under control
  • Identify hazards and risks associated with the process and describe relevant precautions 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage self and activities
  • Work to achieve consistent results required by the process/ customer
  • Participate in life-long learning 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information
  • Monitor and record process variables
  • Bring process deviations under control 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • Record process variables and actions taken to rectify
  • Respond to questions and requests for additional information
  • Liase with relevant operational support units
  • Report incidents and conditions 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE 
    Use science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others
  • Carry out pre-checks on process and equipment
  • Monitor the process
  • Bring process variables into control 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING 
    Demonstrate an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognising that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation by:
  • Explain the purpose of the process as well as the relationship to the supplier and customer`s processes 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD NOTES 
    This unit standard replaces unit standard 12652, "Produce chemical pulp from wood chips using a vertical continuous digester.", Level 4, 0 credits.


    Definition:
    Workplace procedures refer to instructions on policies and procedures which are formally documented and are available for reference. Examples include: standard operating procedures, workplace instructions, specifications, manuals and manufacturers` information. 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Core  48643   Further Education and Training Certificate: Chemical Pulp Manufacturing  Level 4  NQF Level 04  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Registered"     		 2007-02-11  Was FPMSETA until Last Date for Achievement 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    NONE 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.