Career Episode 3: Project Engineer at Mech Power Generator PTE LTD

The author worked as a project engineer at Mech Power Generator PTE LTD in Singapore. The project involved the design, fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning of generators and underground storage tanks with hydrocarbon leak detection systems. The author faced challenges in obtaining access to the generator room, planning material and manpower, and using hydrocarbon leak sensors. The author learned about safety concepts in the oil and gas environment and gained hands-on experience in using a hydrocarbon leakage detector.

Career Episode 3:
Introduction
3.1 I worked with Mech Power Generator PTE LTD from 28th
September 2010 till date. Mech Power has a leading
manufacturer in design, assembly, testing, installation,
commissioning, sale and service of diesel power powered
generator sets in Singapore. It also supplies the power
generation industry in the Asia Pacific region. It has achieved
several key certifications.
In Mech Power Generator, I worked as a project engineer. My
job scope requires me to lead projects and coordinate it
accordingly until it is completed, and ready for the final
handover.
Background
3.2 Design, fabrication, installation, testing, commissioning one
number of generators, one number of underground storage
tanks with hydrocarbon leak detection system and float type
leakage sensor located at Jurong Island Singapore and
another one number of generators, one number of
underground storage tanks with hydrocarbon leak detection
system and float type leakage sensor located at landside of
Singapore.
3.3 It was one of my projects with durations from 2016 to 2018, I
worked with the Singapore Power group, for this project I
worked both landside and island side.

Organization Chart

Personal Work Place Activity:
3.4 I started my project with the documentation study and learn
the overall project scope of work. PE 1.1 For Tuas Cable Tunnel
Project we are supplied the 2 numbers of low-tension
generators one at landside and another at Jurong island. For
this project, it was a new experience for me to be working on
Jurong Island. I arranged a training for our team to be
acquainted with the safety regulations of our working
environment. PE 3.1
3.5 This project is under the purview of a well-established
company named SP Group. In this project, a tunnel is built to
transmit power form landside, to Jurong Island through the
use of a cable. Workers who entered the tunnel needed to
have RFID, and their identification is displayed on the screen
with a photo. It was a confidential project.
3.6 In this project we used a new system of testing a fuel leak,
by using a hydro carbon leak detector. PE 1.2 PE 2.4 It detects all
kinds of hydrocarbons in liquid stage. Had taken proactive
measures to get the qualified suppliers to ensure they
supplied good standard of products. PE 1.4
3.7 I submitted the catalog for the equipment, accessories and
raw materials through online. There was a coordination
meeting on every day on site office to co ordinate the site
delivery, installation, drawing and catalog submission. I
arranged a coordination meeting consultant, client and
design team to introduce them. During our meeting we
exchanged the organization chart to communicate easily
with respective departments. I arranged a weekly meeting in
our own company to exchange the information about the
project status it was effective.

3.8 Design stage we took a short time to get it approved all our
catalog and drawing, so it was easy for us to start the work
earlier. Upon getting the approval of the electrical drawings I
distribute to the respective department.
3.9 From this project onwards, I created a hand over meeting
with all our department HOD and handover to them. PE 3.2
Production department worked well by catching the
customer comments on our drawing with less defects it also
reduces our time consumption. PE 2.2 Our Production team
completed the generator earlier with the underground tank. I
send an invitation to the customer for our factory
acceptance test. We are ahead on the testing when compare
to the earlier project. Make an arrangement with the
Malaysia factory and customer for the factory acceptance
test. Before one weeks we arranged our testing equipment
like load bank, power analyzer, vibration meter. Test was
conducted according to the specification and the approved
documents. During the actual factory acceptance, we tested
the generator and passed the test successfully.
3.10 There was a delay on delivery from the customer side,
generator room was not ready. I wrote an official email to
them about the status of the generator room and ask them
to give us the exact delivery date. PE 2.1 We received the new
delivery dates from the customer and update to our factory
to prepare the delivery according to the new dates.
3.11 Jurong island generator delivery was different than the
landside delivery. We are required to clear the island
customs. Our transportation company and trucks are from
Malaysia, because my factory production was from Malaysia.
In order to clear the Jurong island I need to clear the island

security pass clearance. I attended the one day courses for
the Jurong island application course and learned it. I applied
the passes for them and get it clear. Coordinate with the
Malaysia company regarding the delivery date and time,
they arranged the transport and delivered according to the
given time frame.PE 3.6
3.12 Generators are indoor in both Jurong Island and Landside. I
planned the manpower and material earlier according to the
delivery schedule. After our generator delivery we
immediately started our installation works. Completed the
installation and followed by the site acceptance test
according to the Singapore standard SS535:2007 code of
practice of installation operation, maintenance, performance
and construction requirements of mains failure standby
generator systems.
3.13 Generator fuel system was supported by 1000liters day tank
and 5000liters underground storage tank with two fuel pump
and control panels. Underground tanks are manufactured
according the Singapore standard SS532:2007 code of
practice for the storage of flammable liquids and
BS2594:1975 specification for carbon steel welded horizontal
cylindrical storage tanks.
3.14 Underground storage tank was conducted the Factory
acceptance arranged with customer and consultant witness.
PE 2.3 During the testing it was passed and made an
arrangement for site delivery. It was passed with zero
defects, achieved by conducting the engineering checks
internally.
PE 1.5 PE 3.3, PE 3.4 Delivered successfully and secured with the
plinth, this underground fuel system consists of two leakage
detector sensor one was float sensor and other was

Hydrocarbon leak sensor. First time I used this hydrocarbon
leak sensor. It was quite interesting during our testing
because it will differentiate the water and the hydrocarbon
substances. PE 1.3, PE 1.6 I was standby supervision during this
hydrocarbon leakage test. During our leakage detection test,
we used naphtha to test the sensor. Our tester sprayed the
naphtha in to the sensor, due to the lighter and rich in
hydrocarbons it was activated immediately and shows on our
leakage detection panel.
3.15 SCDF submission for this project was required due to the
underground storage tank and fuel system. We engaged the
QP for submission of documents with SCDF and get the
necessary approval for the fuel storage system.
Engineering Skills and Knowledge Applied in the Work
3.16 I was a part of this Tuas Cable Tunnel project from 2016 to
2018 and had gained hands on experience for my
professional career. I had to work for both Jurong island and
landside. The most significant skill that I have applied in this
project was to use a new system for testing fuel leak with
the help of a hydro carbon leakage detector PE 1.5 PE 1.6. I was
able to detect all types of hydro carbons in the liquid stage.
The next distinctive skill applied in this project was
interpretation of drawings and specifications. Since, it was a
confidential project, I ensured that could complete the
assigned tasks within cost and time restraints. I even had to
assist with the shipping of equipment before they were
deployed in the project. My other skills involved few types of
software to complete our project simulation.
Technical Difficulties Faced and Solutions
3.17 The first difficulty that I had confronted in this project was
during obtaining access to the generator room. The initial
date of delivery that was given to us was being missed since

the generator room was not ready PE 2.1. This type of delay
was not acceptable in our work as our client had high hopes
from us. For sorting out this issue, I wrote an official mail to
our client and informed them about status of generator
room. Finally, they understood and we got our new delivery
dates. I updated to our factor for preparing our delivery as
per the new date and hence my issue was resolved.
3.18 The next issue that I have confronted in my project was
while planning the material and manpower as per our
delivery schedule. I had to make this plan beforehand so
that we do not miss our delivery dates any further. I had the
plan to start our installation works once the generator
delivery is completed, however, one of my team workers was
injured onsite and many manpower was reduced PE 2.3. Since,
he was an important part of my team, we faced major issue
due to this loss. However, he was able to join work within
next two days and we completed our installation and site
acceptance test accordingly.
3.19 Another subsequent issue that I have faced in this project
was while using hydrocarbon leak sensor PE 1.6 PE 2.4. Although,
it was an interesting test, I was unable to differentiate the
water and hydrocarbon substances. Since, I was given the
responsibility to supervise during this test, it was my duty to
execute it properly. I made a mistake of not using naphtha
for testing the sensor in the first go, however, I quickly
identified my mistake and used naphtha to test the sensor.
The tester sprayed the naphtha within the sensor and due to
its inbuilt properties it was immediately activated and we
were able to check our leakage detection panel.
Summary
3.20 I am always interested to learn the new things, from this
project I learned about hydrocarbon sensor leakage
detection system. It was quite interesting to learn, in this
project it was special request from the customer

specification. It was accurately showing the leaks from the
underground fuel storage tank or from the tank chamber.
Float sensor was always activated if any liquid medium
comes into the tank chamber, it cannot differentiate. But by
using the hydrocarbon leakage detection system, it will show
us what kind of liquid leaked.
3.21 I had a new experience to work with the well-established
company infrastructure like Singapore power and I complete
this project profitable. . PE 3.5While I was working in this
project, I learned the safety concepts of oil and gas
environment. This Jurong island was isolate from the land
side cannot enter it illegally, I learned the Jurong island pass
application procedure, safety rules and regulations.