5.0 Maintenance and Reliability Eng General

With all the talk about big data and the IIoT, many are asking how can we use this in maintenance? The IIoT enables us to put sensors in any location where we might want to collect and analyze equipment condition and performance data. There are companies that offer predictive maintenance services, and some companies do this for themselves, in-house. Typically, it’s the larger companies that can afford this, but democratization has meant this has become available to a much broader market. But there are hurdles to taking advantage of this sort of continuous monitoring program, even for your most critical equipment. One, it’s expensive, whether you do it in-house or outsource. And two, there are data bottlenecks. Condition monitoring data comes is huge volumes and it’s all time-sensitive. Even if you can afford it, you need a data handling network with a lot of capacity. In this workshop, we’ll present a viable technical solution to the data bottleneck problem — based on a solution already proven in financial securities markets — that opens up these possibilities in the realm of plant continuous condition monitoring.

In this case study, presented at MainTrain 2017, highlights of an RCM analysis are reviewed including the unexpected outcome. The paper presents a powerful equation derived to calculate the number of inspections required to be performed within the interval between potential and functional failure. Sensitivity analyses are also performed to demonstrate how changes in certain data points affect the results of the analysis. The case study also demonstrates how the recommendation of the analysis was counter-intuitive to conventional thinking given a unique situation and highlights the importance of operational context. Developing an optimal maintenance strategy often requires a systematic approach that includes a Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) analysis. To be successful, these analyses require involvement from many stakeholders and performing a number of pro-active actions to detect or prevent functional failure. Such actions can be unpopular at times and require a solid partnership between the reliability engineering function and Operations and Maintenance.In this case study, highlights of an RCM analysis are reviewed including the unexpected outcome. When there are no safety or environmental consequences, the decision of whether to do an inspection is based on a cost-benefit analysis. This presentation discusses a case study recently performed during a reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) analysis at Cameco’s Port Hope Conversion Facility. The RCM analysis evaluated the cost effectiveness of partially removing a calciner shell to perform a non-destructive examination (NDE) of the bottom of the shell. The RCM uses a specific equation derived to calculate the number of inspections required to be performed within the interval between potential and functional failure. The equation is generic and can be used for any situation.One purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate the identification of the interval between potential and functional failure and how the equation is used so the audience can replicate the analysis in their own situation. Sensitivity analyses are also performed to demonstrate how changes in certain data points affect the results of the analysis. The second purpose of this presentation is to demonstrate how the recommendation of the analysis was counter-intuitive to conventional thinking given a unique situation and highlights the importance of operational context.  

Electrical Maintenance Surveillance Technologies refers to condition based monitoring technology and equipment used every day to inspect electrical distribution assets. These surveillance and inspection systems determine the condition of the individual asset or system being inspected and include but are not limited to: infrared thermography, airborne ultrasound, motor current analysis, partial discharge testing, corona cameras and visual inspections. The implementation challenge is that the inspection and surveillance equipment utilized yield their most valuable results when inspecting electrical distribution equipment that is operating under full load conditions. This is also when they are both most dangerous to maintenance personnel and of the greatest value to the process they are powering. The surveillance equipment implemented normally requires direct access or direct line of sight to the energized components inside the electrical system.  This requires panels to be open which is an extremely dangerous condition. In many cases the posted Arc Fault Currents are too high and legal access is prohibited. This webcast will show how EDSD technologies maintain the energized compartment’s closed and guarded condition ensuring that personnel are not endangered. Participants will learn how the design allows the required test equipment to be used safely at any time, especially when equipment is under full load conditions which is when the inspection yields its greatest value. 

Reliability Block Diagrams (RBD) help organizations achieve new project goals which makes them an especially important tool under the restriction of budget and production cuts that are currently typical due to economic constraints such as low oil prices. At design stages and under new budget cuts, management should consider a few things besides meeting the projects budget like: New plant capacity expected; Plant overall reliability and availability; Operating risks; and Projected maintenance costs. Participants will see that by building an RBD the project team will have a document that will help in the decision making while supporting both in production and economic terms a decision. 

Nova Scotia Power owns, operates and maintains the majority of its power production. This is in the form of thermal steam units, combustion turbines, hydro, tidal, wind and biomass. The age and complexity of the power production facilities and equipment ranges from 90 years in some hydro stations, 40 years in some steam turbines, 40 for many combustion turbines  and as new as 3 months old in our wind turbines. Like any business, the stakeholders expect cost efficient and reliable electricity supply. Technical people expect to understand the risks, operators and maintainers expect safe and trustworthy equipment.  A need to run leaner and more profitably is a challenge that a strong asset management program can support. This presentation will highlight NSPI's approach to building an asset management program in our power generation fleet. We consciously chose innovative technologies and techniques to get results and avoid the pitfalls when following the process "by the book". Finally participants will discuss what we learned along the way and will discuss how to improve as we move forward in the never ending journey of asset management.

"Uptime - Strategies for Excellence in Maintenance Management" has been a best-seller since 1995. It's 3rd edition includes a number of significant changes from the earlier editions reflecting changes in successful practices, the emerging field of Asset Management and the new imperative that any changes become sustainable. This workshop will provide an overview of the new Uptime "Model of Excellence," introduce the book's new material, explain how it all works and fits within the broader asset management framework.

Based on past experiences where over 50% of mechanical failures on Toronto Transit subway rail vehicles were related to misapplication of fasteners, this presentation is an overview of training currently provided to rail mechanics. Beginning with an explanation on application of fasteners emphasizing terminology, preload, elastic elongation and friction/lubricant, it follows with a review of experiences over the past 20 years and the resultant current best practices with respect to control of quality, hardened washers, mechanical top locknuts, lubricated installations, fatigue failures, etc. The presentation includes demonstrations using a Skidmore Wilhelm bolt tensioning machine that dramatically shows effect of lubricant on preload.

The Sheerness Generating Station, a large power plant, has process and machine health data feeding into the DCS and plant historian database continuously from thousands of field sensing elements. This session is a case study of project at the plant that utilized ‘cloud’ technology to stream data about plant performance and initial equipment failures not yet notified by the Alarm Management System, to technical experts, who analyzed the information and communicated the findings back to the plant for further troubleshooting, validation and correction. The session will describe the data security and connectivity issues, the communication protocols and the benefits observed. If you are considering changes in the collection, analysis, and reporting of your own plant performance and equipment health, this session will be useful.