Reliability centered maintenance (RCM) is a new strategic framework for evaluating system maintenance requirements in its operating conditions. Some industries employ predictive maintenance strategies in addition to preventive maintenance (PM) strategies, which increase production costs. As the breakdown maintenance (BDM) technique is used, the maintenance cost increases. The RCM approach is a mixture of these maintenance strategies that can be used to optimize the maintenance costs and to ensure the availability of the system. The RCM method was applied to the steam boiler system used in the textile industries for the research work reported in this paper. The RCM methodology stated in the literature cannot be implemented, as it is in Indian textile industries due to the lack of knowledge of RCM principles, a labor-oriented nature, the use of partially computerized information systems, an inadequate maintenance database, and information about maintenance costs and production loss. To resolve these issues, a modified RCM approach involving a large number of experts is developed. To apply this RCM methodology, critical components are identified through reliability and failure mode effect and criticality analysis (FMECA). Finally, scheduled maintenance strategies and their intervals are recommended to ensure that the system continues to operate properly. According to this study, implementing the RCM technique effectively will increase boiler system reliability and availability by 28.15 percent and 0.16 percent, respectively. Additionally, up to 20.32 percent of the maintenance cost can be saved annually by applying these scheduled maintenance programs.

Water-energy nexus is a crucial and challenging concern that addressing it is noteworthy for the future of human beings. In addition, freshwater production is a highly energy-intensive procedure. Therefore, developing a suitable solution for this problem is of importance. In the present scenario, solar energy is one of the suitable options for desalination because solar energy is available at a low cost, is clean for the environment, and is widely available. Generally, solar collectors such as flat plate collectors (FPC) and evacuated tube collectors were experimented for desalination applications. This work presents an experimental investigation of a single-stage hybrid (ETC-CPC) groundwater solar desalination system. A compound parabolic concentrator (CPC) is placed below the evacuated tube collector (ETC) for collecting solar radiations to transfer heat to evacuated tubes which improves performance in the case of different weather conditions of Pune city in India. Experimental results show that the hybrid solar groundwater desalination system, by maintaining the optimum distance of 20mm between ETC and CPC with Mylar as the reflecting material, could offer a drinking water production rate of up to 3.4l/(m²h)/day. However, the proposed single-stage hybrid (ETC+CPC) groundwater solar desalination system with aluminum foil as a reflecting material could generate 1.9 liters of soft water per day. Further, the use of Mylar as a reflecting material could generate 3.5 liters of soft water per day.

Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis are widely used to assess the failure modes of a system, along with their causes and effects. Several Multi-Criteria Decision-Making approaches have been developed to overcome the limitations of the traditional FMECA. In these approaches, several multiple criteria are considered to determine the criticality values and assign criticality ranks. In these developed approaches, only one expert can involve in criticality analysis. By incorporating several experts from design, manufacturing, and maintenance domains in the criticality analysis accuracy of the results can be improved. This paper proposes a new integrated Expert Judgment-based Preference Section Index (ExJ-PSI) model that combines MCDM approaches and integrates expert opinions. The proposed model is applied to a boiler system used in the textile industry. The results are compared with those obtained from the conventional FMECA and normalized median method. In the present study, the opinions of seven experts from various domains and organizations are discussed. To normalize the collected data, one scale is developed by considering four expert criteria, such as the experience of the expert, the number of boilers he is handling, the number of employees under his supervision, and the proficiency in the field. The proposed model is more effective and flexible in handling and analyzing data of complex configured systems consisting of many subsystems, components, and failure modes. The analysis reveals that the feed water pump, feed water pump motor, supply water temperature sensor, return water temperature sensor, header, and coal feed motor are some of the most critical components of the boiler system.

Engine Oil (lubricating oil) is an important element in I C engines and it is exposed to various strains depending on the operating conditions. If it becomes contaminated with dirt and metal particles, it can become too thick or thin and loses its protective properties, lead to unwanted friction. In turn, to avoid an engine failure, the oil must be changed before it loses its protective properties, which may be harmful for engine which deteriorates vehicle performance. At the same time, changing the lubricant too early, cause inefficient use of already depleting resources, also unwanted impact on environment and economic reasons. Hence, it will be always helpful to know the useful remaining life of the oil under use. With this objective, the research work had been undertaken to develop an instrument for predicting remaining life of the oil under use. Viscosity is considered as an important parameter for describing quality of oil. In this research work reported in this paper proposes an alternative method of analyzing viscosity, conductivity and transmittance to describe quality of oil under consideration. Model for predicting the useful life of selected engine oil (SAE 15W40) used for light duty vehicle, vans and passenger cars have been presented.

A simple system or mechanism for engine Oil (lubricating oil) deterioration monitoring is a need. As engine oil is an important element in I C engines and it is exposed to various strains depending on the operating conditions. If it becomes contaminated with dirt and metal particles, it can become too thick or thin and loses its protective properties, leads to unwanted friction. In turn, to avoid an engine failure, the oil must be changed before it loses its protective properties, which may be harmful to engine which deteriorates vehicle performance. At the same time, changing the lubricant too early, cause inefficient use of already depleting resources, also unwanted impact on the environment and economic reasons. Hence, it will be always helpful to know the quality of the oil under use. With this objective, the research work had been undertaken to develop a simple capacitance sensor for quantification of the quality of oil under use. One of the investigated parameter to quantify oil degradation is Viscosity (as per standard testing procedure: DIN 51562-1). In this research work, an alternative method proposed which analyzing change in capacitance of oil, to quantify the quality of oil underuse and compared to a conventional standard method. The experimental results reported in this paper shows trend for the same. Engine oil of grade SAE 15W40 used for light-duty vehicle, vans and passenger cars is used for experimentation. Suggested method can form a base for further research to develop a cost-effective method for indicating the time to change in engine oil quality have been presented.