Mechanization level assessment and technology identification for productivity improvement in petrochemical facility maintenance
Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering
ISSN: 1355-2511
Article publication date: 2 January 2020
Issue publication date: 16 February 2021
Abstract
Purpose
Facility maintenance is critical for the operation and management of petrochemical plants. Maintenance work completed with higher productivity eventually contributes to better plant performance. Mechanization reduces workforce demand and can increase the productivity of maintenance work. The purpose of this paper is to assess the current mechanization level of the maintenance activities and then identify applicable technology solutions for productivity improvement in petrochemical facility maintenance.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper utilizes a mechanization level assessment method for global maintenance data collection and analysis. Subject matter experts’ interviews and market scanning were used to identify corresponding technology solutions.
Findings
The study discovered numerous maintenance activities with lower mechanization levels and identified more than 50 technology solutions applicable for maintenance productivity improvement.
Originality/value
This paper provides a roadmap for petrochemical maintenance work participants to assess their mechanization level status quo and identify technology solutions for higher maintenance work productivity. The method adopted is replicable and customizable for further applications with different plant conditions in the petrochemical sector and other industrial contexts.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This research work is a part of the Mechanization Study conducted by a research team formed by representatives from the Construction Industry Institute (CII), University of Texas at Austin and National University of Singapore. The study was sponsored by governmental entities and industrial organizations in Singapore, including the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), Association of Process Industry (ASPRI) and Singapore Chemical Industry Council (SCIC).
Citation
Yin, Z., Caldas, C., de Oliveira, D., Hwang, B.-G. and Shan, M. (2021), "Mechanization level assessment and technology identification for productivity improvement in petrochemical facility maintenance", Journal of Quality in Maintenance Engineering, Vol. 27 No. 1, pp. 1-20. https://doi.org/10.1108/JQME-11-2018-0097
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited