Failure analysis of pump piping system using DEMATEL SVN methodology

Abstract

Piping systems tend to malfunction when a set parameter goes off the mark. The parameters
which directly affect the structure and working of a pump piping system are known as critical factors.
The processes influenced by these factors and consequently the underlying cause of failure have been
thoroughly investigated through research. The interrelationship between them, however, remains a
mystery. The ability of the plant supervisor or worker to combine their vast theoretical knowledge
with actual data will be enhanced by exposing these cause-effect correlations among the problems
commonly encountered in pump piping systems. The SVN DEMATEL (Decision-Making Trial-andEvaluation Laboratory) approach is used in this study to determine the predominant causes of pump
piping system failures. By considering a group of expert perspectives to create a cause-and-effect
relationship diagram, the DEMATEL approach allows one to determine and assess the most significant
element. SVN sets in DEMATEL, likewise, eliminate uncertainty when making conclusions concerning
failure relationships from the judgements provided by experts [1]. The focus of the failure analysis was
divided into six groups: selection of pump, design of pump, construction, operation/maintenance,
piping errors and commissioning of the system. A total of 26 factors were identified and were assigned
to a relevant group. Each factor was further categorized into four levels based on the degree of
influence using the methodology presented in this study. It was found that “Temperature†has the
highest degree of influence over the other criteria whereas criteria like “Pressure†and “Power Supplyâ€
tend to be influenced by other factors. The proposed SVN-DEMATEL method would be suitable for
qualitative analysis of different industrial systems.