Using the Multi-Criteria Model for Optimization of Operational Routes of Thermal Power Plants

Abstract

The constant problems evidenced in the Brazilian hydrological scenario, where the source of hydraulic potential corresponds to about 63.9% of the energy matrix, coupled with the exponential growth in the supply of renewable energy, corroborates the importance of thermal power generation as the basis of Brazilian’s energy matrix. With the operation of thermal power plants, which characteristically involve a large number of systems, subsystems, and auxiliary equipment, there is a high demand for the use of methodologies for monitoring and controlling processes, analyzing failures, and implementing improvements and actions that increase the reliability and, consequently, reduce the failure rate. In this context, decision-making about prioritizing criticality for operational monitoring of an asset’s components, from the perspective of operation and maintenance planning and based on reliability-centered maintenance (RCM) concepts, can be considered a complex task. Given this, the research seeks to demonstrate how the “Measuring Attractiveness by a Category Based Evaluation Technique (MACBETH)” method can be applied to the development of a multiple criteria model to support decision making in ordering the criticality of systems in operational inspection routes of thermal power plants, to propose new routines execution methodologies, aiming at increasing the productivity of the operation team. According to the results of the judgment matrix, the ordering proposal allowed a strategy for the execution of the current operational routes, redefining criticality, periodicity, routing, and applied resources, maintaining the reliability of the plant. It limits itself to assessing the criticality of the subsystems and monitored points belonging to the boiler system. These are typical of thermoelectric plants classified within the Rankine thermodynamic cycle and represent a significant part of the evaluation proposal.

Efficient Stochastic Model for Operational Availability Optimization of Cooling Tower Using Metaheuristic Algorithms

“…During the last few years, reliability analysis and optimization of thermal plants have attracted researchers. A Multicriteria decision-making model for optimization of operational routes in thermal power plants has been developed [40]. A study for reliability improvement of power systems using the idea of transmission line switching has been conducted with ac power flows [41].…”

Prioritising Maintenance Work Orders in a Thermal Power Plant: A Multicriteria Model Application

“…Furthermore, as noted in [6,7], under normal operating circumstances, the criticality of a system is not decided by a single component but rather by numerous linked pieces that are reviewed and studied based on their importance to the process.…”

“…The maintenance organisation must manage and resolve production issues to remain competitive. Thus, it must be a reformed firm activity that is interwoven with the other operations and produces results, maximising solutions [6].…”

“…Moreover, according to [6], the choice of approach should be based on the evaluation of the selected criteria, the kind and accuracy of the data, and the decision maker's thinking style and problem-solving experience. Because there are several methods to performing a task, the outcomes may be unclear or even contradictory.…”

“…The operation of thermal power plants, which typically involve many systems, subsystems, and auxiliary equipment, has a high demand for monitoring and controlling processes, analysing failures, and implementing improvements and actions that increase reliability and, thus, reduce the failure rate. When considering operation and maintenance planning and Reliability-Centred Maintenance principles, it may be challenging to prioritise the criticality of an asset's component failures for operational monitoring [6].…”