Reliability Analysis of a 3-Machine Power Station Using State Space Approach

Abstract

With the advent of high-integrity fault-tolerant systems, the ability to account for repairs of partially failed (but still operational) systems become increasingly important. This paper presents a systemic method of determining the reliability of a 3-machine electric power station, taking into consideration the failure rates and repair rates of the individual component (machine) that make up the system. A state-space transition process for a 3-machine with 23 states was developed and consequently, steady state equations were generated based on Markov mathematical modeling of the power station. Important reliability components were deduced from this analysis. This research simulation was achieved with codes written in Excel®-VBA programming environment. System reliability using state space approach proofs to be a viable and efficient technique of reliability prediction as it is able to predict the state of the system under consideration. For the purpose of neatness and easy entry of data, Graphic User Interface (GUI) was designed.