Performance modeling and maintenance priorities decision for the water flow system of a coal-based thermal power plant

Abstract

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to deal with the formation of performance modeling and maintenance priorities for the water flow system (WFS) of a coal-based thermal power plant. Design/methodology/approach The system consists of five subsystems, i.e. condenser, condensate extraction pump, Low Pressure Heater, deaerator and boiler feed pump. The Chapman-Kolmogorov equations are generated on the basis of transition diagram and further solved recursively to obtain the performance modeling with the help of normalizing condition using Markov approach. Findings Availability matrices are formed with the help of different combinations of failures and repair rates of all subsystems. The performance of all subsystems is evaluated in terms of availability level achieved in availability matrices and plots of failure rates and repair rates of various subsystems. The maintenance priorities of various subsystems of WFS are decided on the basis of repair rate. Originality/value The adoption of both performance modeling and maintenance priorities decision by the management of thermal power plant will result in the enhancement of system availability and reduction in maintenance cost.