Optimal Maintenance Scheduling for Washing of Compressors to Increase Operational Efficiency

Abstract The need for simultaneously decreasing carbon emissions and increasing operational profit motivates gas turbine and gas compressor operators to understand, minimize and control performance deterioration. Fouling is one of the most prevalent deterioration problems. This work addresses the causes and effects of fouling and investigates an approach to give decision-support on the questions if, how often and when compressor washing should be conducted. Integration with other maintenance actions is also considered. In this work, a discrete time-scheduling approach that follows the Resource Task Network framework is developed and formulated as a Mixed Integer Linear Program. A novel enumerator formulation makes this method simpler and easier to extend for different maintenance types than existing methods. Degradation is included in a linearized way for a case study from the Oil and Gas industry. Results indicate that washing scheduling is beneficial for the profit. This study gives the foundation for decision-support regarding additional investments in existing production systems, amortization, and supplies optimal maintenance schedules for various applied maintenance types.