Mathematical modeling and fuzzy availability analysis for serial processes in the crystallization system of a sugar plant

The binary states, i.e., success or failed stateassumptions used in conventional reliability are inappropriatefor reliability analysis of complex industrial systemsdue to lack of sufficient probabilistic information. For largecomplex systems, the uncertainty of each individualparameter enhances the uncertainty of the system reliability.In this paper, the concept of fuzzy reliability has beenused for reliability analysis of the system, and the effect ofcoverage factor, failure and repair rates of subsystems onfuzzy availability for fault-tolerant crystallization systemof sugar plant is analyzed. Mathematical modeling of thesystem is carried out using the mnemonic rule to deriveChapman–Kolmogorov differential equations. These governingdifferential equations are solved with Runge–Kuttafourth-order method.