Technical BlogDon’t Lose Sight of Your Process Safety Targets: The Critical Role of Pressure Relief Devices Pressure relief devices (PRDs) serve as the last line of defense in protecting industrial assets from catastrophic failures. Their effectiveness relies on rigorous inspection, testing, and maintenance to ensure they function as intended under all operating conditions. Neglecting these…
Technical BlogKnown Hazards, Unknown Risks: Closing the Gap in Process Safety In the world of process safety, we often find ourselves dealing with hazardous situations that are often discussed and well-documented yet still lead to unexpected incidents. The challenge isn’t necessarily in agreeing that certain situations contain hazards but rather in sifting through the myriad…
Case StudyRisk-Based Inspection Implementation Client: Midstream Operator | Location: Alberta, Canada Our client sought to optimize their inspection budget while maintaining equipment integrity and regulatory compliance. Historically, they relied on time-based inspection requirements set by the Alberta Boiler Safety Association (ABSA). This approach resulted in excessive inspections, increased costs, and missed opportunities to extend intervals…
Technical BlogThe Importance of Flare Studies: Addressing Key Challenges & Optimizing Safety Flare systems play a vital role in industrial safety, particularly in the oil, gas, and chemical sectors, not only by handling relief fluids from overpressure events but also by managing excess gas during process upsets, depressurizing events, and specific modes of operation such…
Case StudyEnhancing Refinery Safety with a Strategic Safe Operating Limits (SOL) Framework Client: Refinery The client sought to establish an SOL framework for their refinery. The goal was to establish specific operating boundaries to enhance safety, optimize operational procedures, and ensure regulatory compliance. This pilot study needed to identify SOLs that could later be scaled…
Technical BlogAutomating Vibration Analysis to Support Condition-Based Maintenance Automating vibration analysis holds significant potential for improving condition-based maintenance (CBM) programs, but the path to full automation is not without its challenges. Vibration analysis has been a trusted method for understanding the health of rotating machinery for years, offering insights into machine performance without requiring deep…
Case StudyFuture-Ready Mechanical Integrity Program: Harnessing Contextualization and 3D Visualization Client: Fertilizer Plant Our client was facing challenges with their time-based Mechanical Integrity program, which leveraged inspection methods that were failing to target critical damage mechanisms and susceptible areas. Additionally, their existing Integrity Data Management Systems (IDMS) was hindered by outdated, incomplete data and poor…
NewsCognascents Consulting Group Honored in HBJ’s 2024 Houston Fast 50 Cognascents Consulting Group is proud and honored to be recognized by the Houston Business Journal (HBJ) in their 2024 Houston Fast 50, which celebrates the fastest-growing private companies in the Greater Houston area. Being nominated and ranked among this prestigious group underlines Cognascents’ relentless dedication…
Technical BlogEnhancing Process Safety: Integrating Mechanical Integrity into HAZOP/LOPA Studies In today’s complex industrial environments, ensuring process safety is more critical than ever. Traditional risk assessment methods, such as Hazard and Operability (HAZOP) studies and Layer of Protection Analysis (LOPA), have long been the backbone of risk management. However, as industries evolve, so must our…
Case StudyPressure Relief Analysis (PRA) Independent Review Client: Downstream Operator | Location: USA Our client was initiating a brownfield project to meet more stringent environmental requirements. They sought an independent review of the relief system design basis for new relief devices being installed for the project. Our Solution Performed an independent analysis of a representative…
