Mechanization level assessment and technology identification for productivity improvement in petrochemical facility maintenance

• Published in: Journal of quality in maintenance engineering Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 1 - 20
• Main Authors: Yin, Zhe, Caldas, Carlos, de Oliveira, Daniel, Hwang, Bon-Gang, Shan, Ming
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bradford Emerald Publishing Limited 16.02.2021; Emerald Group Publishing Limited
• Subjects: Automation; Maintenance; Mechanization; Productivity; Profits; Taxonomy; Technology assessment; Workforce; Working hours; Productivity; Strategy; Maintenance strategies
• ISSN: 1355-2511; 1758-7832
• DOI: 10.1108/JQME-11-2018-0097

PurposeFacility 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/approachThis 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.FindingsThe study discovered numerous maintenance activities with lower mechanization levels and identified more than 50 technology solutions applicable for maintenance productivity improvement.Originality/valueThis 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.