Redundancy and load sharing

[dvaidr]

We have two pumps in parallel configuration, (duty and standby). Generally, how would got about determining the best policy for this, i.e.

does one let the duty pump run to fail, or does one introduce load sharing, i..e allow the standby pump to run, for example 20% of the shift, then move back to the original pump;

The main worry is, the probability of failure on demand......

[Arai.M]

Hello,

Please define probability of failure on demand. Is that the probability that a pump is needed and is not available?
Your best approach will be via simulation. Each scenario will have to be modeled separately making sure the assumptions of the model are reasonable (distributions -load sharing or standby, switching actions between pumps, etc.)

One possible tool is BlockSim 7. A free demo can be downloaded at http://www.reliasoft.info/download/product.php?productid=10&cat=6&page=1.

Arai