Since 19 June of 1995, Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore had started sending oil samples to Metalux Molecular(s) for Ferrography Wear Particle Analysis. There is a lot of equipment in the plants, however only those major machineries such as campressors, blowers and critical pumps are in the list that we pay more attention to. For the past five years, oil samples of
these machineries are sent at regular interval to the laboratory for the test.

Ferrography Condition Analysis serves two purposes to us. First of all; by periodic sending of oil samples to the laboratory for analysis, it reveals the individual condition of equipment as a trend on which we plan our preventive and predictive maintenance program. For example, recently we received a report of a turbine pump 2PT-220B rated Critical due to
abnormally high wear particles found in the sample. Later it was found out that the thrust disc of this particular turbine had worn off. Major damage might occur to the turbine should this not be detected early. Hereby, I would like to express my gratitude to you for your prompt diagnosis and
feedback of such an important information.

Secondly, ad-hoc oil samples are sent occasionally for trouble shooting and confirmation
 purposes. This is to re-enforce our judgement towards a problem among other factors that are suspected to be the causes.

On the whole, the tests help us in one way or the other monitoring and confming the existing running condition of the equipment. It enhances my confidence both in operating the machinery and tackling problems especially those that are arose from the bearings.


Tan Taok Huat
Maintenance Section Manager
Petrochemical Corporation of Singapore (Pte) Ltd.