Abstract

GUPTA, S.; TEWARI, P.C.  and  SHARMA, A.K.. An availability simulation model and performance analysis of a coal handling unit of a typical thermal plant. S. Afr. J. Ind. Eng. [online]. 2009, vol.20, n.1, pp.159-172. ISSN 2224-7890.

The present paper describes the development of an availability simulation model for Coal handling unit of a thermal plant by making the performance analysis using probabiltic approach. In the present paper, the Coal handling unit consists of five subsystems. Assuming constant failure and repair rates for all the subsystems, the mathematical formulation is based on Markov birth-death process. After drawing the transition diagram, differential equations are generated. After that, steady state probabilities are determined. One availability matrix is also developed, which provides various performance/availability levels for different combinations of failure and repair rates of all subsystems. Based upon various availability values obtained in the availability matrix and graphs of failure/repair rates of different subsystems, performance and optimum values of failure/repair rates for maximum availability of each subsystem are analyzed. Subsequently maintenance priorities are decided for all subsystems.

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