Application of the Two-parameter Weibull Distribution Method to Assess the Reliability of Gas Turbine Compressors
Sunday N. Ozonuwe *
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute, Warri, Nigeria.
Dennar Onyekachi
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Petroleum Training Institute, Warri, Nigeria.
Collins U. Oside
Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, National Institute of Construction Technology and Management, Uromi, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
In this paper, the reliability of axial compressors of gas turbines used in oil and gas installations was analyzed by the application of the two-parameter Weibull distribution method. Reliability analysis is an important tool to minimize the failures of equipment, shorten repair time and enhance maintenance effectiveness because when a system is well-maintained system, it minimizes operating costs and optimizes throughput. The study involves the analysis of the failure times of three identical gas turbine compressors. The two-parameter Weibull distribution method was found to best fit the failure data with a correlation coefficient of 0.9886 using the rank regression method. Based on the result obtained for the two-parameter Weibull estimates, it is deduced that the compressors under consideration are at the end of their operational life (wear-out period). From the Weibull estimates obtained, the reliability and mean time to failure of the compressors were determined. This result can be used to carry out timely and effective maintenance of the compressors so as to improve their operation and availability.
Keywords: Reliability, axial compressor, Weibull distribution method, equipment failure, rank regression.