Abstract
In this paper, we propose a hierarchical statistical model for a single repairable system subject to several failure modes (competing risks). The paper describes how complex engineered systems may be modelled hierarchically by use of Bayesian methods. It is also assumed that repairs are minimal and each failure mode has a power-law intensity. Our proposed model generalizes another one already presented in the literature and continues the study initiated by us in another published paper. Some properties of the new model are discussed. We conduct statistical inference under an objective Bayesian framework. A simulation study is carried out to investigate the efficiency of the proposed methods. Finally, our methodology is illustrated by two practical situations currently addressed in a project under development arising from a partnership between Petrobras and six research institutes.
Highlights
In the context of repairable systems, are often described in terms of competing risks, or equivalently, a system with many components connected in series, such that the failure of a single component will result in a whole system failure
For example, Tuli et al [8] analyzed repeated shunt failures in Improved objective Bayesian estimator for a Power Law Process (PLP) model hierarchically represented subject to competing risks children diagnosed with hydrocephalus; failures in this context are known to result from a variety of causes
We introduce the proposed statistical modeling for reliability data arising from a single repairable system subject to both minimal repairs and hierarchical competing risks, whose successive failures are assumed to be governed by a PLP
Summary
Annelida is one of these Petrobras’ innovation projects, which has been developed in partnership with the main Brazil’s research centers. It regards an in-pipe robot that will be used at a near future to remove hydrates and paraffins that form in pipelines and can cause problems in oil and gas flow (see Fig 1). Given the innovative nature of the project, the reliability modeling of the product has been one of the main objectives of the research centers. The pressure vessel set is the basic structural module for all the electrical and electronic components of Annelida, which contains 11 of these subsystems. The module has the function to facilitate the heat exchange, allowing for suitable operational temperature of the electronic components
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