Optimization of reliability and maintenance of liquefaction system on FLNG terminals using Markov modelling
International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management
ISSN: 0265-671X
Article publication date: 25 February 2014
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to optimize system redundancy and maintenance intervals of a propane pre-cooled mixed refrigerant (C3MR) liquefaction process on floating liquefied natural gas (FLNG) export platforms.
Design/methodology/approach
The reliability modeling is based on the time-dependent Markov approach. Four different system options are studied, with various degree of redundancy. Failures in the liquefaction system usually lead to shutdown the whole LNG production plant. The associated shutdown cost is compared with the cost of introducing redundancy and the cost of onboard maintenance. To ensure a high profitability, a model for maintenance optimization is utilized and applied to the main unit of the C3MR liquefaction system to minimize the onboard maintenance cost.
Findings
The results indicated that the introduction of a second liquefaction system (as a standby unit) is the best option for liquefaction plant in terms of reliability and cost. This will substantially reduce the unavailability from 14.7 to 2.19 percent of the total operational hours. Based on the presented system configuration, the annual system profit will increase by 180 million USD if the redundancy is implemented on FLNG export ships. The optimum maintenance intervals of major process components are also calculated to minimize the total cost of maintenance.
Originality/value
The originality of this paper lies within the context in investigating the reliability of the C3MR liquefaction system on LNG floating export terminals using Markov modeling for the first time.
Keywords
Citation
Gowid, S., Dixon, R. and Ghani, S. (2014), "Optimization of reliability and maintenance of liquefaction system on FLNG terminals using Markov modelling", International Journal of Quality & Reliability Management, Vol. 31 No. 3, pp. 293-310. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJQRM-12-2012-0156
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited