PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to introduce a practical integrated overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) framework that encompasses the core characteristics of OEE.Design/methodology/approachThe paper reviewed the backgrounds of OEE and improvement frameworks and explored the limitations. An integrated OEE framework was developed by synergizing the strengths of OEE and improvement frameworks to complement the shortcomings. This new framework underlies the OEE concepts and provides structural improvement steps. It was applied to systematically assist and guide OEE practitioners in a case study.FindingsThe review of OEE literature found that there is a lack of improvement frameworks with systematic steps specifically developed for OEE implementation. Conversely, a review on improvement frameworks of different methodologies revealed that they do not fully capitalize on the use of performance measures as benchmarks and improvement drivers. An integrated framework that incorporated the advantages of both OEE and conventional improvement frameworks was developed and validated through a case study over a period of 38 weeks. The OEE performance before the improvements was low (73.4 percent) due to high availability losses (76.5 percent). Both OEE and availability achieved the target of 76.5 percent and 80 percent, respectively, after using the framework for improvements.Research limitations/implicationsThe reviewed papers represent a sample of papers present in the literature and were selected based on relevancy. A greater number of papers incorporated into the literature review would certainly bring out a more comprehensive study.Practical implicationsThe proposed integrated OEE framework provides OEE practitioners with systematic directions and steps combined with benchmarking and loss prioritization features for effective improvement efforts. In addition, it provides overview for the practitioners to make better decisions in project management. This helps address the common issues of practitioners not sure of what the next improvement step is. A case study using the proposed framework at a semiconductor company had successfully achieved the OEE benchmarks and set target for conversion time.Originality/valueThis paper provides a new integrated OEE framework offering a systematic approach toward implementing OEE improvements.

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Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have become popular in recent years due to its excellent organic pollutants removal efficiency. However, its popularity has been restricted by a major constraint which is high maintenance cost incurred by membrane fouling in the system. Currently, hybrid MBRs with additives were found efficient in controlling membrane fouling. In this study, the performance of two additives consist of powdered activated carbon (PAC) and alum in enhancing membrane fouling control in MBRs were determined and compared. Three 6L laboratory-scale submerged MBRs known as conventional MBR (without additive), MBR-PAC (added with PAC), and MBR-Coagulant (added with alum) with SRT 30 were set up. It was observed that the MBRs with additive could enhance MLSS concentrations by about 7-13% and reduce the protein concentration (one of the main foulants) by 43-70%, respectively. The results revealed that by adding alum and PAC into the MBRs, membrane fouling control of MBRs could be improved. MBR-PAC performed best in this study as it could be operated steadily without any sign of transmembrane pressure "jump" as compared to the other two MBRs even it was operated under "stress" condition by treating high strength wastewater during the experimental filtration period.

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