Reliability analysis of subsea control system using FMEA and FFTA

Abstract

Reliability technology plays a significant role in ensuring the safe operation of the subsea control system. To perform a comprehensive analysis of the reliability of complex systems, a combination of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and Fuzzy Fault Tree Approach (FFTA) is introduced. Firstly, the FMEA method is used to analyze the potential failure modes and causes of system failure by completing the qualitative analysis of system reliability from the perspective of multi-factor failure modes. And the risk matrix diagram is applied to determine the degree of harm of different failure modes to the system. Then, the system reliability is quantitatively analyzed using FFTA, and a fault tree model is established by dividing the system into "system-subsystem-component" and solving for the minimum cut set. In addition, the failure probability of the top-level event is quantitatively calculated by introducing fuzzy set theory, and the probabilistic importance of the bottom-level event is analyzed to find out the weak points of each subsystem. Finally, a qualitative and quantitative reliability analysis is conducted by using FMEA-FFTA method for subsea control system. Effective measures should be taken to focus on preventive protection and regular testing for the high risk, medium–high risk and medium risk modes for subsea control system.