SAQA

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.

SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED UNIT STANDARD THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE:

Explain thermodynamic principles and concepts as applied in nuclear power generating plant

SAQA US ID	UNIT STANDARD TITLE
13710	Explain thermodynamic principles and concepts as applied in nuclear power generating plant
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	9
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 operation and application of sensors, detectors, controllers and positioners as in use at nuclear power generating plant.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

None

UNIT STANDARD RANGE

Reactor engineering fundamentals 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

Explain the properties and principles of steam.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Concepts related to the properties of steam explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Wet steam, saturated steam, superheated steam.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. The relationship of steam quality and moisture content explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Moisture content in steam using a Mollier Diagram determined.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The use of steam tables to explain properties demonstrated.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2

Explain the properties and principles of sub cooled liquid.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The term sub cooled liquid defined.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Factors that effect sub cooled liquid and its effect on plant efficiency understood.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. The conditions of a fluid for a throttling process determined.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. The purpose for establishing a vacuum in the condenser and the factors that effect pressure explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. The function and operation of equipment related to the condensing process understood.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3

Define the thermodynamic processes used for the transformation of energy.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Rankine and Carnot Cycles concepts and thermodynamic applications understood.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Secondary system parameters that affect thermodynamic efficiency explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Turbine blade erosion concepts in steam turbines understood.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Feed water heating effects on steam cycle efficiency explained.

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4

Define the hydraulic characteristics of fluid behaviour.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Operational implications of water hammer explained

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Cavitational effects on pump behaviour understood

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Mass and volumetric flow rate defined

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Two phase flow and the measurement thereof explained

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Methods of controlling system flow rates known

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 5

Define the mechanisms of heat transfer.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. The basic modes of heat transfer known

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Conduction, convection and radiation.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Core thermal power using simplified heat balances calculated

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Core heat transfer under accident condition described

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Heat exchanger parameters that affect heat transfer understood

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 6

Define the concepts related to thermal hydraulics with respect to boiling heat transfer.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Boiling processes and other heat transfer processes differentiated.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

local boiling, bulk boiling, film boiling, partial film boiling, reflux boiling, nucleate boiling and sub nucleate boiling.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) concept explained.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Departure from nucleate boiling ratio (DNBR) effects and parameters understood.

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4

4. Temperature profile from fuel pellet centreline to coolant flow during power operations explained

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 5

5. Reactor coolant flow relationships understood

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Core differential temperature, fuel temperature, reactor power and single and two phase flow

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 6

6. Reactor coolant pump cavitation indications known

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 7

7. Core bypass flow and function described

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 8

8. Natural circulation concepts and effects on the system explained

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 7

Describe the core thermal limits.

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1

1. Peaking factors defined and calculated

ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE

Axial, heat flux, hot channel, local peaking, nuclear enthalpy, total peaking and radial factors

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2

2. Thermal limits basis for normal and transient operations understood

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3

3. Peak cladding temperature limits basis understood

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 related to reactor engineering principles.

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	63209	National Certificate: Energy Regulation	Level 5	NQF Level 05	Passed the End Date - Status was "Reregistered"	2023-06-30	As per Learning Programmes recorded against this Qual
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.	KP ACADEMY (PTY) LTD
2.	MPUMELELO TRAINING