Methodological proposal for problem resolution in industrial activities based on failure mode analysis. Case applied in the cellulose industry, Chile

This article proposes an integral methodology based in the failure mode analysis for problem resolution related to the reliability of industrial assets or problems. The failure mode is an event that precedes the physical occurrence of a failure and, therefore, the loss of function in the asset in question. For this reason, the identification and analysis of the modes is the starting point for the proposed methodology. This methodology takes into account, in addition, key aspects such as: hierarchization of equipment, identification of root causes and optimal solutions. The paper is structured as follows: section 2 performs a revision of the principal techniques applied in the area of reliability. Section 3 describes step by step the methodological proposal through a logical sequence of stages. Later, section 4 presents a real case application of the proposed methodology developed in the Arauco Cellulose Plant, Plant Trupan-Cholguan, in Yungay, Chile. Concretely, the methodology proposed applies to problem resolution in fluidized bed combustion. Last, the results and conclusions of the completed investigation are shown.