Reliability is a special attribute that describes the dependability of a component. This means that the component consistently performs a desired function under certain conditions for a certain period of time in order to meet business goals and customer needs. Theoretically, reliability can be described as:
Reliability = 1 - Probability of Failure
Thus, the lower the probability of failure, the greater the reliability of the system. However, there are many factors that can contribute to the uncertainty involved with any new design and capital project including variations in materials, manufacturing plants, shipping, storage, and use.
Another way of thinking about reliability is the quality of the component over time. A common term used in a reliability engineering context is mean time between failures (MTBF). MTBF is a metric that describes the average time it takes for a specific component to failure. MTBF does not measure the time when a component is waiting for repair or being repair; rather, it measures the time only when the component is operating. This is an important parameter to consider in the decision-making process when investing in new equipment. The higher the MTBF the higher the reliability of the product.
The responsibility of a reliability engineer is to increase the dependability and safety of a component in service. Additionally, reliability engineers work together with design, inspection, and maintenance individuals to identify failures and their causes. Common tools reliability engineers use across the entire equipment lifecycle include:
Furthermore, reliability engineers are expected to be able to align equipment performance with business goals, identify risks and failure modes, estimate remaining life and performance, and minimize variability.
Reliability engineers are expected to:
A certified reliability engineer is one who aims for performance improvement and manages asset safety, reliability, and maintenance throughout the component’s life cycle.2 A combination of professional work experience and education are considered for certification. The following outline provides an overview of specific topics that a reliability engineer should be familiar with for certification. A detailed list of the minimum necessary knowledge and skills can be found in the Body of Knowledge document.3
Equipment reliability is measured in terms of quality, performance, and productivity. The goal of an equipment reliability program is to effectively monitor equipment, procedures, and data covering the life of equipment. Advantages of a reliability program include eliminating unexpected shutdowns, reducing production losses that occur between start-up and operation, and extending the life of the asset. Additionally, company’s typically experience a reduction in costs of repair and maintenance, reduction in delay, and increases in safety.
Besides the engineering practices described above, there are three other essential components to equipment reliability: maintenance, inspection, and technology.
1) Maintenance
Maintenance can be divided into three categories, preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance. Preventive measures are taken to eliminate unnecessary inspection and repair tasks. Predictive maintenance generally involves nondestructive inspection techniques to monitor the serviceability of the equipment. Corrective maintenance involves repairing or replacing components to restore equipment back to its operating conditions. Collectively, these tasks should be managed in a well developed reliability centered maintenance program.
2) Inspection
Nondestructive testing (NDT) techniques are used extensively throughout the lifecycle of equipment to locate and monitor damage mechanisms. Furthermore, inspection plays a major role in any equipment reliability program. Some common NDT methods used in the petroleum and chemicals industries include radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, electromagnetic testing, and many more. When selecting an NDT method several considerations should be taken into account including the type of damage, where the damage is located (external or internal), and the size, shape, and orientation of the damage.
Additionally, there are two other types of inspection that provide information on the reliability and remaining life of equipment. These include risk-based inspection (RBI) and fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments. Put simply, the purpose of RBI is to identify and understand risk in order to reduce uncertainty about the condition of equipment. FFS assessments are performed to determine if a component is suitable for continued service.
3) Technology
New advancements in technology, such as sensors, will be able to greatly improve the overall reliability of the system. Sensors can provide data on the performance and condition on the equipment in real-time to make better decisions for preventive, predictive, and corrective maintenance.
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The report is the first of its kind, and the first in a series of reports that explore the impact reliability has on various global industries including the oil and gas, chemical, wastewater, and other industrial processing industries.
PinnacleART, now Pinnacle, leaders in the industrial reliability and mechanical integrity market, is doubling down and focusing on data-driven reliability to help its clients reduce risks and maximize overall productivity.
PinnacleART is proud to announce that Ralph Stevens, principal reliability consultant, recently earned the distinguished Certified Asset Management Assessor (CAMA) certification.
Learn how you can safeguard integrity, reliability, instrumentation safety, and more.
Stress Engineering Services has launched its new Digital Solutions Group aimed at reducing energy industry clients’ costs and managing risks through best-in-class digital technologies.
U.S. refineries have sustained fewer mechanical outages as production has fallen because of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, according to data from energy intelligence service Industrial Info Resources.
Inspectioneering, LLC has launched a specialized recruiting and staffing firm offering workforce solutions to help companies find and secure the top Mechanical Integrity and Reliability talent needed to successfully operate their business.
The International Pressure Equipment Integrity Association (IPEIA) is looking for presenters for its 25th Annual Conference taking place March 1 - 5, 2021 in Banff, Alberta. The deadline for abstract submission is September 12th, 2020.
DNV GL published a recommended practice to manage CUI. This practice DNVGL-RP-G109 risk-based management of corrosion under insulation was developed as part of a collaborative project with partners from across the oil and gas industry.
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Lyondell Basell Industries said maintenance operations were staffed at its Houston refinery to assure safety and reliability.
API has released a suite of new Integrity Management (IM) standards outlining how floating production platforms should function to improve operational efficiency, safety, and environmental protection.
As CFO, Andrew Susman will serve as the financial leader responsible for planning and executing financial strategies to support the rapid growth of the company.
Together, AsInt and Trinity Bridge have the in-depth knowledge of 581 and over 20 years of experience implementing and managing RBI programs as well as the skills for managing data and designing tools to make your RBI program successful.
PinnacleART has strategically partnered with Solomon Associates to build comprehensive asset assessments for facilities in the energy and chemical industries.
Last November in Dallas, TX, Inspectioneering and PinnacleART hosted a select group of leading industry experts in mechanical integrity for an informal discussion of some of the key challenges facing the industry today. The main theme for this...
The Interagency Task Force on Natural Gas Storage Safety, established in the wake of last year's massive natural gas leak at California's Aliso Canyon site, has issued a new report intended to help reduce the risk of future such incidents. The...
Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies (PinnacleART) has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. This list represents 5000 of the most successful companies within the American...
Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies (PinnacleART) has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. This list represents 5000 of the most successful companies within the American...
Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies (PinnacleART) has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. This list represents 5000 of the most successful companies within the American...
Pinnacle Advanced Reliability Technologies (PinnacleART) has been recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of the fastest growing private companies in the United States. This list represents 5000 of the most successful companies within the American...
