Application of reliability centered maintenance (RCM) in lead oxide production system a case study

Abstract

In this work a framework on application of Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) for Lead Oxide production process in the battery industry is developed. Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM) integrates Preventive Maintenance (PM), Predictive Testing and Inspection (PT&I), Repair (also called reactive maintenance), and Proactive Maintenance to increase the probability that a machine or component will function in the required manner over its design life-cycle with a minimum amount of maintenance and downtime. RCM method is used here through Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) and decision making for maintenance criteria is established in view of Criticality and Logic Tree Analysis (LTA). Finally Task allocation of equipment is described based on the following strategies: condition based, interval based, failure finding and run to failure or redesign. Evaluation of this RCM frame work is performed based on standard evaluation criteria by society of automotive engineers inc. Challenges of the application which can influence the performance of the plan also described. The study is done for Lead Oxide production process- a critical system of battery industries. RCM method can shift the maintenance culture and thinking while maximizing equipment availability and enhancing plant reliability in this type of industries and other industries also.