A probabilistic approach to the maintenance of heat-transfer equipment subject to fouling

A probabilistic approach to characterize various fouling processes and their influence on maintenance strategies of heat exchangers is described. Some common fouling models are discussed and, in view of their performance indicators ( U U c ), a strategy for planned maintenance schedules is described. The effect of this strategy on overall costs of these repairable systems is outlined. Trade-offs (continued maintenance vs replacement of the equipment) are examined in terms of cost parameters. The influence of random occurrences of fouling is incorporated in the maintenance strategy.