Optimising Maintenance of Multi-Component Systems with Degradation Interactions

This paper presents a generic approach to optimising maintenance of multi-component systems with degradation interactions. A degradation model for M-component systems where N (N<M) components are subject to degradation interactions is developed using General Path Degradation Modelling and regression techniques to characterise the degradation interactions. An industrial case study is also presented in a petrochemical plant where the scope of the study is on an industrial cold box system. The outcomes of the case study demonstrate that a simulation model built with the proposed degradation interactions modelling can have significant impact on maintenance planning of the system.