Abstract

GUPTA, S.; TEWARI, P.C.  and  SHARMA, A.K.. Reliability and availability analysis of the ash handling unit of a steam thermal power plant. S. Afr. J. Ind. Eng. [online]. 2009, vol.20, n.1, pp.147-158. ISSN 2224-7890.

The paper aims at assessing the reliability and availability of a critical ash handling unit of a steam thermal power plant by making a performance analysis and modeling, using probability theory and the Markov Birth-Death process. After drawing a transition diagram, differential equations are generated. After that, steady state probabilities are determined. Certain decision matrices are developed, which provide various availability levels. The behaviour analysis of the reliability module reveals that the availability decreases with increasing failure rates, while operational availability improves with initial increases in repair rates for different subsystems. Based upon various availability values, the performance of each subsystem is analyzed and used to make maintenance decisions for all subsystems.

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