Minimizing Cost of Operation of Centrifugal Pump Using Failure Rate and Reliability Analysis

Abstract

In this study, the minimization of centrifugal pump cost of operations in a refinery was performed using failure rate and reliability analysis. The centrifugal pump system was selected for the analysis as it has a significant impact on the plant operation. The failure rate and reliability analysis of the centrifugal pump system were examined. The exponential reliability method was employed to analyse the failure data obtained from the maintenance logbook of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, to determine the failure rate and reliability of their pump systems for operational cost-efficiency. The result showed that by carrying out the proposed reliability centre maintenance (RCM) labour plan on the plant equipment- the labour cost decreased from N162.900, 000.00 per year to N31.028, 400.00 per year. The RCM technique applied in this study could be adopted by firms to improve the reliability of their plant and minimize its failure rate and operational cost.