Nonlinear filtering approaches to field mapping by sampling using mobile sensors
Project Portfolio - Six Sigma CCHPP
1. Title:
Six Sigma Approach to Cornell Combined Heat and Power Plant (CCHPP)
Abstract:
An investigation in Cornell’s Combined Heat and Power Plant temperature losses provides valuable
insight into the efficiencies and areas for improvement in the system’s overall reliability and operations.
This investigation utilizes six-sigma tools such as Fishbone Diagrams, Failure Modes & Effect Analysis
(FMEA), and Design of Experiments (DoE) to show that there are ways to locate the
inefficiencies/performance breakdowns in the system, and by providing a sample calculation of the
improvements possible this study can be used in conjunction with a cost-benefit analysis to determine
future replacements and installations.
The results of our analyses indicates that there are potential improvements to be implemented by
CCHPP, either in their current system or in their future systems. In particular, by applying the DOE
methodology, and using the insights gained by the Fishbone and FMEA, we have seen the possibility of
reducing the heat loss in the system by over 300% by varying the significant variables. This has
significant implications for the route that we chose to analyze, and further time should be spent to
analyze the benefits of replacement vs. cost to replace. In addition, our analysis comparing the expected
losses in the system with the actual calculated losses in the system gives potentially great insight into
which pipe segments have worn or have been installed improperly, and this analysis could be extended
to the whole pipe matrix. If extended to a time varying data set (i.e. if the data available was taken at
time sets across months or even years), our analysis could confidently assess each pipe system’s
deviations from some control limit and then would easily recommend which pipe segments need
replacements.
