Sensors, Vol. 20, Pages 571: Predictive Maintenance of Boiler Feed Water Pumps Using SCADA Data (Sensors)

IoT enabled predictive maintenance allows companies in the energy sector to identify potential problems in the production devices far before the failure occurs. In this paper, we propose a method for early detection of faults in boiler feed pumps using existing measurements currently captured by control devices. In the experimental part, we work on real measurement data and events from a coal fired power plant. The main research objective is to implement a model that detects deviations from the normal operation state based on regression and to check which events or failures can be detected by it. The presented technique allows the creation of a predictive system working on the basis of the available data with a minimal requirement of expert knowledge, in particular the knowledge related to the categorization of failures and the exact time of their occurrence, which is sometimes difficult to identify. The paper shows that with modern technologies, such as the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, it is possible to integrate automation systems, designed in the past only to control the production process, with IT systems that make all processes more efficient through the use of advanced analytic tools.