Utility-Oriented Approach for Root-Cause Analysis of Power Plant Equipment Problems

摘要

The objective of the work reported here is to suggest a general, utility oriented approach for root cause analysis of power plant equipment problems. The method for doing this work was to:evaluate existing root cause logic techniques, root cause applications,, and power plant equipment failure data systems;drawing on this evaluation and discussions with some utilities, define the basic elements of a formal root cause approach for a utility program;and recommend further EPRI action. The key results of the report are as follows:the main obstacle to doing root cause analysis within the industry appears to be lack of good data documenting failures;there appears to be considerable interest among utilities to begin to do formal root cause analysis on equipment and performance problems;the four basic elements of a root cause program are development of an information base, formation of a skilled investigative team with management support, use of a logic diagram for isolating the root cause of a problem, and definition and recommendation of corrective action based on engineering and a cost/benefit analysis. It is recommended that consideration be given to definition and implementation of joint EPRI/utility projects on root cause problems of mutual interest in order to flesh out the gene real approach reported here in a manner that will result in proven, useful techniques which interested utilities can then adopt. Definition of several joint projects is currently underway.