Development of simulation model for performance evaluation of feed water system in a typical thermal power plant

The present paper deals with development of a simulation model for the performance evaluation of feed water system of a thermal power plant using Markov Birth-Death process and probabilistic approach. In present paper, the feed water system consists of four subsystems. After drawing transition diagram for feed water system, differential equations are developed and then solved recursively using probabilistic approach. Then to predict the steady state availability i.e. measure of performance of feed water system, normalizing conditions are used. Thus availability simulation model has been developed. After that, the availability matrix and plots of failure/repair rates of all subsystems are prepared to decide the availability trends. Based upon various availability values in the availability matrix, performance of feed water system has been evaluated. Further the optimum values of failure/repair rates for maximum system availability have also been determined. The finding of this paper might be helpful to the plant management for futuristic maintenance decisions.