Availability analysis of a heat transport pump configuration using Markov models

This paper illustrates a systematic approach of reliability modelling and calculation using the Markov approach, with respect to a practical subsystem application, a heat transport pump configuration in the Bruce Generating Station of Ontario Hydro. This paper considers two possible classifications of pump failures: pump failures grouped into a single permanent failure mode; pump failures grouped into permanent and temporary failure mode. The basic Markov technique has been applied in each case. The reliability indices as computed in this paper are long term, steady state values; they can be determined from the set of linear simultaneous equations derived form the state space model