Press Releases

Techenomics International are lubrication and condition monitoring specialists operating in Australia, Asia and Madagascar.

Techenomics International has over 30 years experience and offer services including oil analysis, magnetic plug inspections, and lubrication and filtration solutions to fixed and mobile plants, all of which can significantly extend the life of equipment, lower unscheduled downtime and most importantly decrease costs.

In recent years Techenomics has tripled in size and plan to soon open a new laboratory in Papua New Guinea.

“Over the past few years we have opened offices in Madagascar, Laos, Bangkok, Shanghai and Batam and new laboratories in Bangkok and Balikpapan. Over the next couple of months, Techenomics International will be opening their first Oil Analysis laboratory in Papua New Guinea.” Explains Chris Adsett, Techenomics CEO.

The Oil Analyses laboratory will support the mining Industry in Papua New Guinea with a fast and efficient, cost effective Oil Analysis program that will reduce the current sample turn around times while undercutting the current costs of analysis.

The laboratory will scientifically test oil and grease taken from mining machinery to determine characteristics of equipment components and the ability of the lubricating oil to continue protecting that equipment.

Results for each sample will be reviewed, interpreted and recommendations will then be given by trained chemists and technicians with a background in equipment maintenance.

Sample results will be managed by the company’s first fully integrated condition monitoring software package, Blue Oceans, which was only launched this year. This software package allows the user to track all of their results in one place, both past and present. It also offers a flexible reporting format to suit customer needs.

“The results will allow maintenance personnel to schedule and record maintenance for their equipment including recording all oil analysis and lubricant and fuel usage, “explains Jason Davis New Product Manager, Techenomics International.

“Clients who use Blue Oceans will also be able to trend, create limits, and customise their data on all condition monitoring analysis results. Continues Mr Davis.

Oil analysis a valuable technique for evaluating component wear and contamination and is an effective preventative maintenance programme that can save companies a significant amount of money by helping reduce unscheduled downtime, extend equipment life and increase oil drain intervals.

As well as opening the Oil Analyses laboratory, Techenomics International will also be importing its own brand of Specialty Lubricants. Available for the past ten years the extensive range features mine greases and rope oils, advantage grease, open gear lubes, hydraulic oils, gear oils, coolants, break out grease, and wire rope lubes.

OnSpec Lubricants also has its own software that can record and trend usage rates on all equipment, graph total site usages and trend lubricant problems with injectors and faulty pumps.

Techenomics International not only provide onsite sample extraction and laboratory analyses services to a variety of mine sites in the Hunter Valley, Australia and South East Asia but they also hold customised training seminars for company’s who wish to perform their own onsite sample extractions.

Routine onsite sample extractions of oil, grease and coolants from numerous equipment compartments prior to the equipment service intervals is imperative for all companies to do, either themselves or through a qualified lubrication field technician.

After sample extractions are analysed at laboratories reported results allow maintenance planners time to order any necessary parts and schedule maintenance repairs, reducing unnecessary down time on equipment and saving businesses money.

For companies wanting to do sample extractions themselves, Techenomics provide training seminars to teach them how to correctly take sample extractions.

“It is important that sample extractions are taken correctly to provide real time results in the analysis process and to ensure foreign material or contaminants don’t get in the sample and cause laboratories to report incorrect results. “ Explains Jason Davis, New Product Manager, Techenomics International.

Training seminars are held on-site and are made up of both theory and practical. Participants are first taken through step by step on when and how to correctly take a sample extraction and avoid contamination and then the practical part begins.

“After the theory we go outside and participants are shown the correct way to take a sample extraction from an actual piece of equipment they would regularly test. Everyone then has a turn of taking a sample extraction and we make sure they do it correctly.” Says Jason Davis, New Product Manager, Techenomics International.

After this participants are tested and assessed.

Although Techenomics specialise in the Mining Industry they customise their training package to suit the needs of any client or industry. For example Techenomics recently provided two training seminars for Downer EDI Rail. The seminars, which catered for 15 people per group, where held at Kooragang Island.

For companies not wanting to perform sample extractions themselves they can use Techenomics trained lubrication field technicians, guaranteeing the sample will be taken correctly and from the same sample location each time, ensuring a clean, reliable and representative oil sample.

Techenomics International today announced that it is was well on the way to achieving ISO 17025 accreditation for its two oil analysis laboratories located in Balikpapan and Sangatta in the Kalimantan province of Indonesia.

These two laboratories are operated by its wholly owned subsidiary PT. Tekenomiks Indonesia and predominantly service the coal mining regions of Kalimantan. The original audit for the accreditation was completed in December 2008 and the required improvements are nearly complete.

Once opened the laboratories will join Techenomics other Accredited ISO 9001 and ISO 17025 laboratories located in Australia and Bangkok which service the coal mining regions of the Bowen Basin in Queensland and the Hunter Valley in NSW of Australia, together with precious metal mines in SE Asia.

Techenomics is unique in that it is the only company in the world that operates a string of laboratories servicing a group of companies that operate across many geographical regions yet provides a seamless service where the product is available online with no differentiation from laboratory to laboratory.

Other major operators may service a similar customer base but provide services through a suite of individually owned laboratories where methods of operation, controls and management will differ from laboratory to laboratory.

This milestone event will mark a milestone in Techenomics efforts to improve the services related to oil analysis and associated contamination control disciplines so that the asset owner will truly receive a tailored service to suit his life of equipment bottom line.

Consistent with this progress is a transition by the company to provide a totally comprehensive service across massive geographical boundaries.

Robert Mark Howell has joined Techenomics International as Operations Manager Indonesia.

Mark brings vast working experience of Mobile and Fixed equipment to the group having worked extensively in the Gold, Iron Ore and Coal mining industries in senior leadership and training roles both in Australia and overseas in countries such as Papua New Guinea, Ghana-West Africa and recently two assignments in Indonesia.

Mark has not only worked for global companies BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto but has also worked for small private companies assisting them to develop and become more successful.

A team orientated person with a strong safety focus Mark brings a wealth of experience and knowledge as well as an understanding of different cultures.

He joins Techenomics Indonesia at time of great opportunity and expansion in the mining industry of Indonesia.

Glenn Brown has been appointed as Business Development Manager for Techenomics International to be based in Singleton.

Glenn brings with him a wealth of experience in lubrication related matters gained from practical site involvement on a number of major mining sites in Australia and Indonesia.

His working career has been committed to the improvement and further development of hydrocarbon management, contamination control and reliability improvements through lubrication practices and maintenance.

Glenn was a FLAC (Fuel, Lubricant, Air and Coolant) Champion with BHP Billiton and holds accreditation with other international organisations. Glenn holds diplomas in Business Management, Maintenance Management and Project Management.

Through using in-depth auditing systems of lubrication storage and dispensing facilities, Glenn has made significant costs reductions and increases in plant availability to some of the largest organisations in the world including The Shell Company of Australia, Mobil Oil Australia, ExxonMobil, Caltex Oil Indonesia, BHP Billiton Iron Ore, Worsley Alumina, Ravensthorpe Nickel, Australian Paper Manufacturers, Newcrest Mining, Newmont and Pall Corporation.

Techenomics is looking forward to Glenn’ joining the Techenomics team and his positive contribution to the future development of the company.

Lubrication and condition monitoring specialists, Techenomics Australia, have become a ground sponsor of Singleton United Rugby League Football Club and to celebrate are holding a ‘Family Fun Day’ from 11.30am to 2.30pm this Sunday August 9th at Resco Park.

There will be a sausage sizzle, jumping castle for the kids and three games of football for families to enjoy.

The Singleton United Rugby League Football Club under 18’s side kicks off at 11.15am, followed by reserve grade at 12.30pm and first grade at 2.00pm.

So get down to Resco Park, support your local football team and have a bit of fun while you do it!

Techenomics Australia has made available RULER® testing and Foaming testing for Hydraulic oils, to help companies prevent Hydraulic system failures or component failures in mining machinery due to antioxidant depletion or foaming Hydraulic oils.

With complaints about Hydraulic system and component failures increasing, Techenomics purchased RULER® and Foam testing so their laboratories could run these tests and help find a solution.

RULER® testing is designed to inform the owner of any antioxidant depletion in oils being used in service before it becomes a problem.

The depletion of antioxidants in hydraulic oils happens because the antioxidants present in the additive package significantly limits oil degradation from occurring, but antioxidants are depleted in the process.

Preventing this antioxidant depletion is essential as antioxidants are vital to fluid integrity and a loss of antioxidants could result in sludge and deposit formation, filter blockages, oil thickening, and an increase in oil acidity.

Like with RULER® testing, Foaming testing on Hydraulic Oils is also imperative to the health of equipment and maintaining equipment performance.

If foaming and oil aeration is occurring in Hydraulic oil this can lead to equipment failure, air entrapment can cause pump cavitations, erratic operations, component wear, low oil pressure, reduced viscosity and oxidation.

Oils with foaming problems also have a reduced cooling capacity which may contribute to overheating issues and accelerate oil degradation. The presence of foam in the fluid can also lead to excessive oxidation and cavitation, the reduction of lubricating properties of the oil and performance of hydraulic systems.

Techenomics Australia has launched a new website www.techenomics.net that is quick, streamlined, easy to navigate and contains double the amount of valuable information.

The new site, combined with its unique Blue Oceans software offers the complete package in oil analysis products, condition monitoring and maintenance services.

“Our old website was just not user friendly and didn’t contain the information our customers wanted and needed.

The new website is user friendly and can be used as a tool for customers to find out more about the company and how we can save them money,” explains Jason Davis, IT Manager, Techenomics Australia.

The website now contains seven new sections including Laboratory Services, Total Fluid Management Services, Environment, FAQ’s, Press, Privacy Statement and Employment Opportunities.

Already existing but improved sections include Company Profile, Quality Standards, Products, Services and Contact Details.

For existing customers the site provides access to Blue Oceans, the first fully integrated condition monitoring software package designed to increase equipment reliability and availability while saving businesses money.

“We believe that our new website combined with Blue Oceans provides a total solution for customers,” continues Mr Davis.

“Over the next year we plan on adding modules to Blue Oceans that will focus on preventative maintenance and save our customers even more time and money.” Says Mr Davis.

Techenomics International has recently launched on its website www.techenomics.net, Blue Oceans, the first fully integrated condition monitoring software package designed to increase equipment reliability and availability whilst crushing costs for customers.

Blue Oceans, formerly known as Client Analysis Access System, moulds the function of the equipment planner, maintenance service teams and reliability engineer into one powerful unit creating a true ‘Blue Ocean’ for customers to exploit and enhance
their businesses while saving money.

Clients using Blue Oceans will be able to trend, create modules, and customise their data on all analysis results. Non-services customers are able to create and integrate data obtained from their existing oil analysis provider and other condition monitoring
programmes into their own unique modules and formats for equipment trending.

“Techenomics philosophy of innovation and investment to provide the complete package in oil analysis products, condition monitoring and maintenance services is represented by the creation of Blue Oceans," explains Chris Adsett, CEO, Techenomics International.

“Over the next year we plan on adding modules to Blue Oceans that will focus on preventative maintenance and save our customers even more time and money.” Mr Adsett continues. An exciting new logo for Blue Oceans has been created to compliment its uniqueness and link to Techenomics International.

After being trialled in one of Indonesia’s largest coal mines, Oscar Advanced, a Techenomics International fuel conditioner, has been proven to reduce fuel consumption in vehicles by 13.5% and reduce fuel consumption in vehicles of more than 10.4% per BCM carried.

The trial proved that by using Oscar Advanced the product was capable of improving combustion, controlling water emulsifying, sludge reduction and acid and sulphur neutralisation in vehicles, providing healthier engines with lower fuel consumption.

Oscar Advanced was trialled for five months on six 789 Caterpillar rear dumps, in one of Indonesia’s largest coal mines. Another six 789 Caterpillar rear dumps were trialled over the same five month period and in the same coal mine running on only straight diesel, so fuel reductions could be compared.

The trial was maintained in an open pit and all fuel records where recorded by both Techenomics and the mine site department. After five months of daily recorded fuel consumptions Oscar Advanced was found to have a reduction of more than 10.4% per BCM carried and a total of 13.5% reduction in fuel consumption compared to its twin 789 rear dumps running straight diesel.

"We were always confident of what Oscar Advanced was capable of doing and we are extremely happy that this trial proved what a great success this product really is," said Mr Chris Adsett, CEO, Techenomics International.

Techenomics International have started up a recycling centre for used hydraulic oil that not only helps clients lower costs by up to 20% but also helps the environment by reducing unnecessary waste.

The Hydraulic Oil Recycling Centre has proven a huge success with results showing clients using the facility are saving up to 10% - 20% in costs by using the refurbished oil compared to purchasing new oil. The refurbished oil also comes with a full oil
analysis report published live online to BLUE OCEANS viewers.

The idea behind the centre is to eliminate large amounts of waste hydraulic oil, consisting of water ingress, metals, silicon and poor ISO readings.

The recycling centre works by first assessing the state of the used oil, identifying all properties such as viscosity, wear metals, water and other factors before deciding on the best methods for cleaning the used oil.

An on site Oil Analysis Laboratory gives Techenomics a huge advantage as they can check the state of the oil whenever needed and without the delays of usual laboratory turn around or deliveries.

Techenomics International will celebrate the 10th Birthday of their OnSpec Lubricant range this May, 2009. Having watched the range grow from a handful of products, to having their own lubricant service trucks and software program, the celebrations, just like the products, promise to be huge.

"We can’t believe how much our OnSpec Lubricant Range has grown in quantity and offering over the past ten years. It has exceeded all our expectations and we think its 10th Birthday should be celebrated", explains Mr Chris Adsett, CEO, Techenomics International.

Starting out as a small line featuring mine greases and rope oils, the popular range has grown to now include a large number of Advantage grease, Open Gear Lubes, hydraulic oils, gear oils, coolants, break out grease, and wire rope lubes sold not only to mining companies in Australia but in Indonesia and Laos too.

In fact the OnSpec lubricant range has gotten so big that today it has its own lubricant service trucks that not only have the capabilities of pumping into bulk tanks but also the capabilities of delivering directly onto equipment in the pits.

Further highlighting the range’s enormous popularity, OnSpec Lubricants also has its own software that can record and trend usage rates on all equipment, graph total site usages and trend lubricant problems with injectors and faulty pumps.

"We are still excited by the success of this range and look forward to developing it even further over the next 10 years." Said Mr Chris Adsett, CEO, Techenomics International.

Techenomics International advanced fuel conditioner, OSCAR Advanced, recently provided a fuel contamination solution for a large mining operation in NSW, cleaning approximately 733,000 litres of contaminated diesel fuel.

The diesel fuel was contaminated with fungal and bacterial growth first starting in the bulk tanks. The contamination then spread to other equipment on the site.

After running a series of laboratory tests, Techenomics International was able to establish the locations of this contaminant and treat them. Due to Oscar Advanced unique properties that gives it strength to eliminate diesel bugs and any other contamination problems within the fuel it was chosen to be the solution.

"Oscar Advanced was chosen to fight the contaminated diesel fuel and after treatment our lab tests show the fuel is now normal and fuel quality has actually improved", said Mr Chris Adsett, CEO, Techenomics International.

Oscar Advanced is ideally used in countries where fuel qualities are poor but also ideal for equipment owners that are looking at reducing fuel consumptions by improving the fuel quality.

TECHENOMICS International has launched Blue Oceans, its first fully integrated condition monitoring software package designed to increase equipment reliability and availability.

The Techenomics Blue Oceans solution was previously known as Client Analysis Access System. Blue Oceans combines the functionality of an equipment planner, maintenance service teams and reliability engineer.

Users of Blue Oceans will be able to trend, create modules and customise their data on all analysis results. Non-services customers can create and integrate data obtained from their existing oil analysis provider and other condition monitoring software for equipment trending.

According to Techenomics, Blue Oceans is a complete package of oil analysis products, condition monitoring and maintenance services.

On 20 October 2008, PT. Tekenomiks Indonesia acquired the fluid analysis business of PT. Rhodes Laboratory Services.

The acquisition has increased the capacity of PT. Tekenomiks Indonesia to provide quality oil analysis services in the East Kalimantan region to compliment their developing condition monitoring services provided via web based interactive maintenance products.

Oil Analysis Services available through the new laboratory include:

• Spectrometric test for wear metals and additive levels
• Infrared analysis (FTIR)
• Viscosity test to ASTM D445
• Microanalysis
• Total base number (TBN)
• Total acid number (TAN)
• Crackle test for water contamination

PT. Tekenomiks Indonesia anticipates that with the acquisition, considerable additional capacity will be generated and a backup provided for existing company laboratory services.

The company is conscious of rising oil costs in the region and has strengthened its commitment to providing timely, accurate and quality customer service to new and existing customers.

In the current volatile and uncertain global economic market, PT. Tekenomiks Indonesia recognizes that cost saving measures will be required and new capital harder to find for new equipment, thus placing a stronger emphasis on regulated machinery maintenance programs and extended equipment life.

The acquisition will compliment existing facilities in Indonesia, Australia, Thailand and marketing representation in China. The company is currently researching other opportunities as part of its philosophy to expand its range of product and services in the international market.

SINGLETON-based Techenomics International says its Indonesian branch has designed and implemented a complete contamination control system at a mine site in Laos.

According to the company, the system is delivering repeatable hydraulic fluid cleanliness to delivery points within the facility bays and workshops, compatible with the ISO 4406 standard.

The contract included 1100m of 50mm reticulated schedule 40 pipe, while filtration was installed on the inlet side of the bulk storage oil tanks. The oil was then pumped 80m to stainless steel filtering day tanks. The elevated tanks filter the oil before they entered the tanks, followed by more filtering until the oil meets the cleanliness requirements.

The fluids are then dispensed to the bay, which have with another layer of filtration. To lessen contamination created by dust and the surrounding environment, the engineers designed specialised dispensing poles with counter balancers, flow meters, and a holster rail that ensured positive air flow.

TECHENOMICS says its new mobile grease plant has been successfully used to provide lubricating services for a variety of mine sites.

The service vehicle, a five tonne 4WD Mitsubishi tray truck, was first purchased in January 2008. The company aimed to use it to pump its range of ONSPEC lubricants 24/7.

According to the lubricant provider, the grease planted needed to have the flexibility and capacity to access most areas on mine sites on a daily basis, during both normal and extreme weather conditions.

Engineers modified the tray to fit two 700kg product storage tanks with air driven pumps powered by the vehicle. Filtration units from the company were installed to carry and dispense lubricants from fluid bags, drums or intermediate bulk containers.

The vehicle was commissioned in March 2008 and has been meeting its daily schedules and output obligations for four months.

Techenomics International has been awarded a contract to review and make recommendations for the lubrication department at BHP Billiton’s newest mine, the Ravensthorpe nickel operations in the South of Western Australia. This contract is to assist in achieving the standards set by the BHP Billiton GMN (Global Maintenance Network) FLAC (Fuel – Lubes – Air – Coolant) program which has some of the most stringent criteria for cleanliness levels.

The contract will include reviewing and making recommendations on the following:

• Organisational structure
• Lubrication schedules
• Lubricants used on site
• Oil analysis program and schedule
• Storage volumes
• Waste management

Techenomics will also be developing a training program and skills matrix for use on the site for all lubrication team members. In some instances, Techenomics will be delivering training and assessing the technicians' abilities.

A spokesman for Techenomics International, a leading supplier of innovative solutions for the mining and associated industries, today announced that the company had rolled out and released version four of its unique and leading edge maintenance systems solution software, CAAS. This software is a web-based platform for Techenomics to deliver oil analysis, lubricant performance analysis, magnetic plug reports, fuel and lubricant usage in an integrated package.

This software brings oil analysis into the modern world, surpassing many of the antiquated basic services provided by the OEM’s. This is a picture of the future; the company expects to release version five by mid-year. It is devoted to providing the best support possible for an integrated maintenance program as soon as possible.

BMA Blackwater has continued with its program of trialing different methods of maintaining the quality of the CAT D11R/D11N final drives. By the use of the strong one eye final drive magnetic plugs the results are excellent.

These had been inially used in the four trial machines for six months with no recordable PQ and FE below ten. This has also assisted to reduce the AL and SI in the system which has in turn lowered the iso by two to three codes in each compartment.

Blackwater has a plug inspection program, with every machine inspected weekly. With the site rolling these plugs out to every machine, any increase on the magnetic plug now shows if an issue is beginning. To date all compartments have a "A" plug result and on the 24 machines there have not been any cases of final drive failure, even in compartments that were put under water.

We highly recommend these magnetic plugs as a preventative maintenance tool.