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

Understand the operating principles, processess and variables in stock preparation in the pulp and paper industry 
SAQA US ID UNIT STANDARD TITLE
114269  Understand the operating principles, processess and variables in stock preparation in the pulp and paper industry 
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  10 
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 
Qualifying learners will be able to understand the operating principles, the processes and variables of stock preparation. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Learners attempting this unit standard are required to understand process descriptions, physical phenomena, process equipment, interacting variables and product properties. It is therefore required that they are competent in basic scientific theory and are familiar with operations associated with paper manufacturing. 

UNIT STANDARD RANGE 
This Unit Standard covers the understanding of the fundamental operating principles, processes and variables in stock preparation, from repulper to machine chest. 

Specific Outcomes and Assessment Criteria: 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 1 
Qualifying learners are able to discuss and explain the basic equipment and process configuration. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Generic and alternative stock preparation operations are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Repulping, refining, deflaking, cleaning, screening, blending, thickening, flotation and wash de-inking.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Equipment used for stock preparation is discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Repulpers, refiners, deflakers, cleaners, screens, thickeners, flotation cells, pulp washing equipment.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The equipment arrangement for stock preparation is discussed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. The operating functions of mill save-all equipment is discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Cylinder, vacuum, flotation, settling and sedimentation types.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 2 
Learners are able to discuss and explain the inputs to stock preparation operations. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The properties of fibrous materials required for stock preparation are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Recycled fibres, virgin fibres, wetlap and flash dried pulp.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Utilities required for the stock preparation are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Water, power, air, steam.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. The supply and function of chemicals for stock preparation is discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Additives.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 3 
Learners are able to discuss and explain the process variables and their interrelationships. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Learners are able to discuss and explain the process variables and their interrelationships and effect on product properties for the different stock preparation operations. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. The process variables and their effect on product quality for stock preparation operations are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Temperature, consistency, pH, pressure, fibre hydration.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. The interrelationships of the process variables for the stock preparation operations are discussed and explained. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Properties of the pulp leaving the stock preparation area are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Freeness, wetness, consistency, cleanliness.
 

SPECIFIC OUTCOME 4 
Learners are able to discuss and explain typical process problems and offer typical solutio s. 
OUTCOME NOTES 
Learners are able to discuss and explain typical process problems and offer typical solutions to the problems. 

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 1 
1. Typical product deviations leaving the process are discussed and explained and solutions are offered. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Freeness, dirt specks, colour properties.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 2 
2. Typical equipment problems within the process are discussed and explained and solutions are offered. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Blocked screens/cleaners, refiner plates worn, poor mixing.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 3 
3. Typical raw material problems within the process are discussed and explained and solutions are offered. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Dirty pulp, water quality, power.
 

ASSESSMENT CRITERION 4 
4. Environmental impacts are discussed and explained. 
ASSESSMENT CRITERION RANGE 
Gaseous emissions, liquid emissions.
 


UNIT STANDARD ACCREDITATION AND MODERATION OPTIONS 
Anyone assessing a learner against this unit standard must be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA.
Any institution offering learning that will enable achievement of this unit standard must be accredited as a provider through the relevant ETQA by SAQA.
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
  • The equipment pertaining to repulping, refining, deflaking, cleaning [centrifugal] screening, thickening, ink flotation, washing, air removal equipment

    Description, properties and characteristics of
  • Raw Materials (Wood Species, Wood Chips, Power, Steam, Water)
  • Product/s [paper making stock]
  • Process Equipment (repulping, refining, deflaking, cleaning [centrifugal] screening, thickening, ink flotation, washing, air removal equipment)
  • A Typical layout of a stock preparation plant for different paper and pulp configurations

    The Purpose of the
  • Process in terms of product/s, efficiencies and quality. Causes, effects and implications of:
  • The process variables/conditions associated with repulping, refining, deflaking, cleaning [centrifugal] screening, thickening, ink flotation, washing, air removal equipment
  • Raw Material (chemical pulp, mechanical pulp, waste fibre)
  • Product Variables (pulp strength properties, freeness, colour properties)
  • Hazards

    Interrelationships
  • Between the variables of stock preparation, the process equipment and process conditions
    Regulations, legislation, agreements and policies related to:
  • Environmental impact of gaseous and liquid emissions
    Theory: rules, principles, laws
  • Length
  • Temperature
  • Pulp drainage properties and fibre development
  • Fluid flow
  • Pumping theory
  • Mixing theory
  • Effect of consistency on pulp properties
  • pH
  • Surface theory applied to ink particle removal
  • Separation of particles by size
  • Mass balancing
  • Energy balancing 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME 
    N/A 

    UNIT STANDARD LINKAGES 
    N/A 


    Critical Cross-field Outcomes (CCFO): 

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO IDENTIFYING 
    Identify and solve problems
  • Describe typical stock preparation process problems and solutions to these problems
  • Describe the basic scientific theory behind typical processes and problems and generate alternative solutions based on theory. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO ORGANISING 
    Organise and manage self and activities
  • Participate in life long learning
  • Develop analytic skills in managing process operations 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COLLECTING 
    Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information
  • Use various sources of information pertaining to stock preparation including basic scientific and engineering theory. 
    		•

    UNIT STANDARD CCFO COMMUNICATING 
    Communicate effectively
  • Give written or oral descriptions pertaining to stock preparation
  • Respond to questions
  • Identify and solve problems 
    		•

    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 
    N/A 

    QUALIFICATIONS UTILISING THIS UNIT STANDARD: 
      ID QUALIFICATION TITLE PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL STATUS END DATE PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QA FUNCTIONARY
    Elective  61971   National Certificate: Pulp and Paper Operations  Level 3  NQF Level 03  Passed the End Date -
    Status was "Reregistered"     		 2023-06-30  FPMSETA 
    Elective  48644   Further Education and Training Certificate: Paper, Board or Tissue 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.
     
    1. VEB CELE & ASSOCIATES PTY LTD 


    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.