Fault Tree Analysis in the Reliability of Heavy Fuel Oil Supply

Abstract

Marine systems are complex and through the analysis of their reliability it is necessary to observe the reliability of their subsystems and components. With regard to the fact that the reliability is functionally dependent on faults, for the purpose of this study special attention has been given to possible faults on the heavy fuel oil supply pump of a two-stroke marine diesel engine MAN B&W 5L90MC. A deductive approach to reliability analysis, i.e. fault tree analysis method (FTA), has been used. By the use of this method it is simpler to identify the system’s weak link and it is shown that the method gives the basis for the ship’s system reliability analysis. Based on FTA analysis this paper suggests system parameters that require continuous monitoring in order to achieve reliability. The results show the behavior of the components in case of faults and this approach can help to create a plan of action in order to enforce timely corrective and preventive action and, accordingly, increase the rate of reliability of the entire ship’s systems.