Integrating reliability, availability, maintainability and supportability with risk analysis for improved operation of the Afam thermal power-station

The ability to improve continually is desirable. In recent years, the reliabilities of power plants have become increasingly important issues in most developed and developing countries. Reliability, availability, maintainability and supportability (RAMS), as well as risk analysis, have become big issues in the power industries. Major causes of customer dissatisfaction often result from unexpected failures, which have led to unanticipated costs in the Afam thermal power-station. However, with proper integration of RAMS and risk analysis in each maintenance process in the Afam thermal power-station, the frequency of failures can be reduced and their consequences diminished. Taking experiences from the developed world, an approach for the integration of RAMS and risk analysis can be developed as a guide in maintenance policies for the Afam thermal power station. This paper discusses the applications of failure mode effect analysis, failure mode effect and criticality analysis, feedback information, supportive systems and risk analysis, in order to reduce the frequency of failures and maintenance costs. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.