Usability of Control Charts to Monitor Variation of Quality Parameters in Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plants

Özdemir A. C.

Bilimsel Madencilik Dergisi, vol.59, no.4, pp.247-253, 2020 (Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 59 Issue: 4
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.30797/madencilik.845148
  • Journal Name: Bilimsel Madencilik Dergisi
  • Journal Indexes: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.247-253
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

During the production of electrical energy from coal-fired thermal power plants, calorific and unit power values are the most important indicators for evaluating the productivity of the process. These values are measured periodically, and the resulting measurements are monitored to detect root causes of variation that may occur in production process. As this application is currently performed by manual methods, the probability of obtaining incorrect results is quite high. This study aims to statistically analyze process control on the variation of quality parameters and detect root causes of unusual variations using Shewhart and cumulative sum control charts. For this purpose, the usability of these control charts was tested on Afşin-Elbistan B thermal power plant. As a result, these charts identified fluctuations in the efficiency of generating electrical energy and unusual variations in the process. Furthermore, it is recommended that these control charts could be developed and applied in similar type of process