Performance assessment of multi-state systems with critical failure modes: Application to the flotation metallic arsenic circuit

This paper considers a number of alternative measures of multi-state systems with two failure modes. Almost all of them are based on a probabilistic model and the extent to which the multi-state system performance analysis may typically lead. The conventional multi-state theory is used to assess the fundamental problems of the performance of complex systems. In real life, it may be difficult to obtain sufficient data to estimate the precise values of the performance levels of modern engineering systems. This paper suggests reliability measures for multi-state systems with two failure modes, and presents a procedure for evaluating these measures. Generalized assumptions of multiple factors that may affect the reliability of such systems are introduced by developing multi-state operators that obey the commutative and the associative laws. The concepts of relevancy, coherency, and equivalence are used to characterize the properties of such systems. Mathematical problems raised by applications of multi-state system model in system failure engineering are addressed. Engineering case study of the flotation circuit of mineral processing plant is modeled as a homogeneous coherent multi-state system composed of homogeneous coherent multi-state subsystems, and its reliability is calculated. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.