SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Describe fundamental material science related to brittle fracture and vessel thermal stress in nuclear power plants

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
13706	Describe fundamental material science related to brittle fracture and vessel thermal stress in nuclear power plants
ORIGINATOR
SGB Power Plant Operations
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	3
REGISTRATION STATUS		REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE	SAQA DECISION NUMBER
Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"		2018-07-01	2023-06-30	SAQA 06120/18
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2024-06-30		2027-06-30

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 does not replace any other unit standard and is not replaced by any other unit standard.

PURPOSE OF THE UNIT STANDARD

A person credited with this unit standard is able to describe the concepts terms and conditions associated with brittle fracture and vessel thermal stress as encountered in nuclear power generating plant.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Understanding of thermodynamic principles and nuclear theory.

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Brittle fracture and vessel thermal stresses as prescribed by the National Nuclear Regulator for the Generic Fundamental Requirements of nuclear power plant operators.

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria:

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1

Define brittle fracture.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The concept of brittle fracture defined.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Conditions that effect the probability of brittle fracture known.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The relationship between brittle fracture and nil ductility temperature understood.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The difference between brittle and ductile failure understood.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Operating limitations to minimise the possibility of brittle fracture known.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. Nil-ductility temperature defined.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

7. Factors affecting the value of the reference temperature for nil-ductility transition known.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Explain the effects of radiation on materials.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The effects of fast neutron irradiation on reactor vessel materials known.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Conditions leading to pressurised thermal shock described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Failure mode associated with pressurised thermal shock known.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Operational concerns related to uncontrolled cool down explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Stresses on reactor vessels during temperature changes described.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. Terms and abbreviations associated with reactor vessel stresses known.

UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS

According to SAQA requirements.

Moderation:
Standard Generating Group Power Plant Operations Technical Group.

UNIT STANDARD ESSENTIAL EMBEDDED KNOWLEDGE

Understanding of the fundamental concepts, theories and characteristics and effects of brittle fracture and vessel thermal stress.

UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME

N/A

UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES

N/A

Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO):

UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING

Identifying & solving problems in which responses display that responsible decisions using critical and creative thinking have been made.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO WORKING

Working effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization, community.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING

Organising and managing oneself and one`s activities responsibly and effectively.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING

Collecting, analysing, organizing and critically evaluating information.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING

Communicating effectively using visual, mathematical and/or language skills in the modes of oral and/or written persuasion.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO SCIENCE

Using science and technology effectively and critically, showing responsibility towards the environment and health of others.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO DEMONSTRATING

Demonstrating an understanding of the world as a set of related systems by recognizing that problem-solving contexts do not exist in isolation.

UNIT STANDARD CCFO CONTRIBUTING

Contributing to the full personal development of each learner and the social and economic development of the society at large, by making it the underlying intention of any programme of learning to make an individual aware of the importance of:

a. Reflecting on and exploring a variety of strategies to learn more effectively.
b. Participating as responsible citizens in the life of local, national and global communities.
c. Being culturally and aesthetically sensitive across a range of social contexts.
d. Exploring education and career opportunities.
e. Developing entrepreneurial opportunities.

UNIT STANDARD ASSESSOR CRITERIA

N/A

REREGISTRATION HISTORY

As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this unit standard was Reregistered in 2012; 2015.

UNIT STANDARD NOTES

Occupational Role:

Process Plant Operator.

QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD:

	ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	STATUS	END DATE	PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
Core	23733	National Certificate: Nuclear Power Plant Operation	Level 4	Level TBA: Pre-2009 was L4	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	EWSETA
Elective	61570	National Diploma: Power Plant Process Control Operations	Level 5	NQF Level 05	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	EWSETA

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.

1.	MPUMELELO TRAINING