Troubleshooting

Methodology a Doctor
and Patient Analogy

Rimbo Biworondoko (Tekkim 2000)

March 2011

Cited from: Book Distillation Operation by Henry Z. Kister

Why We Need It?

In almost any troubleshooting assignment, it is desirable to

solve problem as rapidly as possible with the least amount of
expenditure.

In a surprisingly number of cases, this objective is only partially

achieved. One of the major obstacles to achieving this objective
is a poor strategy for tackling the problem.

In fact, we probably know how to troubleshoot. We just may not

be aware of how we do it systematically.

Methodology

Awareness

Knowledge

POWER

Why Doctor Patient Analogy?

The doctors troubleshooting strategy in treating a patient

is well-established and easily understood by most people.

Applying similar principles to solve technical problem can

often map out the most effective and least expensive
course of action.

Step 1: Asses the safety or environmental

hazard that the problem can create

If hazard exist, an emergency action is required prior to any

troubleshooting efforts.

Example: choke/flowline leakage, emergency action: shut in

the well.

Medical analogy:

Prevent the patients problem from affecting others have

priority over investigating the cause of the problem

Step 2: Implement temporary strategy for

living with the problem

Problem troubleshooting and correction take time.

Adverse effects on safety, environment and plant
profitability must be minimized
Example: Compressor shut down, temporary strategy:
flaring.

Medical analogy:

Doctors advice: Going to bed or just taking it easy

Step 3: Obtain a clear, factual definition of the

symptoms

A poor definition of symptoms is one of the most common

troubleshooting pifalls.
Example:

Operator: the gas plant operation is unstable because

of faulty
instrumentation

Supervisor: the oil pump is defective. A new pump is

required

Medical analogy:

Patient statement: I feel I am going to die, I am feeling a

bit off, but I will be OK soon or I do have sharp headache

Step 4: Examine the column behavior

yourself

Troubleshooter would miss major portion of the problem if

he based his investigation entirely on other peoples
observations.
Example: Site visit to the plant

Medical analogy:

Direct observation from the doctor

Step 5: Learn about the equipment

history

The question, what are we doing wrong now that we did

right before? is perhaps the most powerful troubleshooting
tool available.
Each difference can provide a major clue.
Example: evaluate compressor monitoring history

Medical analogy:

Doctor always ask patients about their health histories,

searching for similar clues.

Step 6: Search and scan events that occurred

when the problem started

Carefully review operating charts, trends, computer and operator

logs.
Establish event timing in order to differentiate an initial problem
from its consequences.
Include events that may appear completely unrelated.
Example: Gas reading evaluation

Medical analogy:

Doctor always ask patients if they did something different about

the time when the trouble started, and what happened first.

Step 7: Listen to shift operators and

supervisors

Experienced people can often spot problems, even if they

cannot fully explain or define them.
Listening to them can often provide a vital clue.

Medical analogy:

Listen to experienced nurses

Step 8: Do not restrict the investigation to the

equipment

Often, column problems are initiated in upstream equipment.

Example: Compressor shut down due to high discharge

temperature. The main cause is high temperature gas from
the well.

Medical analogy:

Doctor frequently look for clues by asking patients about

people they have been in contact with or their family health
history.

Step 9: Study the behavior of the column by

making small, inexpensive changes.

These are particularly important for refining the definition

of symptoms and they may contain a vital clue.
Record all observations and collect data.
Example: reduce compressor speed

Medical analogy:

Doctor asking the patient to take a deep breath or

momentarily stop breathing during medical examination

Step 10: Take out a good set of reading on

the column and its auxiliaries,
including lab analyses

Misleading information supplied by instruments, samples and

analyses is a common cause of column malfunction.
Always mistrust or suspect instrument or laboratory reading
Make as many crosschecks as possible to confirm their
validity.
Example: Crosscheck data between gas reading and parm
report.

Medical analogy:

Laboratory test taken by doctor on the patient

Real Case History

Boiler tube leak from distillation operations

Thanks for your attention

Troubleshooter live with trouble, grow with trouble and happy if he meet new
trouble