Condition-based inspection policies for boiler heat exchangers

This study considers the inspection and maintenance of boiler heat exchangers, which are examples a system composed degrading, non-repairable components in series whose operation can be restored by removing failed from service (albeit at performance loss). For such systems, increased failure risk due to component degradation may managed through inspections preventive removal high (again loss for remaining life systems). In this study, new joint policy is developed, uses condition information obtained an optimize decisions regarding future optimally balance risks failure, losses, costs. The optimized using Markov Decision Process paradigm applied case exchanger operating Australian sugar factory. results show that proposed yields significant savings compared benchmark policies represent factory's current practice.