I am currently facing some issues with the MTBF calculation method for pump seals. For example, out of a total of 538 pumps, 375 have seals, 144 do not, and 19 are undetermined. In a scenario where each month consists of 30 days, there have been 8 failures in the pump seals. The MTBF formula is calculated as follows: (sum of pump seals * running period) / number of failures (pump seals) = (375 * 30) / 8 = 1406.25 days or 46.87 months. However, I believe this method is more suitable for benchmarking rather than real reliability analysis. Can anyone suggest a more appropriate method for conducting reliability analysis? Thank you.
Hello Aromatics Thailand, your analysis focuses on the overall performance of pump seals. By delving deeper into the data, we can calculate the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) for each pump and identify which pump(s) have the shortest MTBF. These pumps or groups of pumps are key areas for improvement. For additional information, please visit http://www.barringer1.com/index.shtml or read the papers available at http://www.barringer1.com/Papers.htm. Regards, Dimitar.
DSK, I believe the formula for overall plant performance and equipment benchmarking is crucial. Unfortunately, our manager has been dismissive of my suggestions. I discovered a method to calculate equipment performance individually, but when I presented it to our manager, they responded with, "You lack understanding." It is essential to have open communication and collaboration in order to improve our plant's efficiency and productivity.
It seems like you are facing issues with your supervisor. Have you considered analyzing the Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF) for each pump seal and visualizing the data using a Pareto diagram? Best of luck in addressing this situation!
In monthly and quarterly reporting, I rely on calculating the Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF) in months by dividing the number of pumps by the number of failures in the last 12 months, then multiplying by 12. With 50 pumps and 8 failures in the last year, the MTBF is 75 months. This metric provides a gauge of performance over the past year, highlighting any areas that may require extra effort to improve.
When calculating MTBF, it is important to utilize consecutive periods like quarterly intervals rather than cumulative durations such as a full year or the entire lifespan of the equipment. Opting for the latter approach could result in a slower trend in MTBF improvement.
While your method does give a top-level perspective, your concern is valid as the MTBF formula does not take into account varying lifespans or use conditions for each pump seal, which are often crucial in reliability analysis. A more fitting approach might be to adopt the Weibull Analysis method, which not only considers the time-to-failure data but also takes into account the operating conditions and other life-determining aspects of the equipment. It provides a comprehensive understanding of how the pump seals perform under different circumstances and their likely time to failure. Plus, the Weibull analysis can help identify patterns, if any, aiding in preventive maintenance.
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Answer: - The MTBF calculation method may be more suitable for benchmarking purposes rather than real reliability analysis. It may not provide a comprehensive understanding of the reliability of pump seals in practical scenarios.
Answer: - One suggestion for a more appropriate method for conducting reliability analysis could involve considering factors such as environmental conditions, usage patterns, maintenance practices, and failure modes to gain a deeper insight into the reliability of pump seals.
Answer: - Alternative methods for reliability analysis could include techniques like Weibull analysis, reliability block diagrams, fault tree analysis, and reliability-centered maintenance. These methods may offer a more robust and comprehensive assessment of pump seal reliability compared to the traditional MTBF calculation.
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