Calculating Throughput of a Component using Custom Reliability Outputs

The model demonstrates throughput modeling as well as the use of custom RL element outputs. The model is of a process tank where materials from a prior process are mixed with a catalyst. In this model, the product of the chemical reaction between the components is then pumped out of the tank.

The chemicals involved tend to "foul" the tank and other components with deposits as the process is running. This reduces throughput from nominal by a rate of 10% for every year since a preventative maintenance event was undertaken.

The tank is also equipped with an agitator that increases throughput (by mixing the three components more thoroughly). The process will still produce product if the agitator fails, but at a much lower rate. The agitator is replaced during a yearly preventative maintenance event if it has failed.

Child elements are used to represent the behavior of the pumps. The intake, exhaust and catalyst pumps must all be functional for the process to be successful. The tank has two failure modes (a fatal, structural failure mode, and a non-fatal failure mode for the agitator) plus a preventative maintenance event triggered at the start of each year.

The Result element plots the status of the tank system and throughput over time.

To Open the Model File:

1. Start GoldSim
2. Click on the File and select Open Example...
3. Browse to Reliability Examples
4. Select the file called Throughput.gsm