Industry collaboration to enhance advanced hazard and operability study software

Global engineering and technical consultancy Vysus Group and software provider Kairos Technology are to further develop an intelligent tool that enhances hazard and operability studies (HAZOP).

Kairos Technology’s HAZOP Assistant is a model-based software used during risk assessment studies on complex infrastructure. It combines deterministic modelling of a plant with artificial intelligence to produce a more targeted and comprehensive analysis than is possible with typical HAZOP studies.  

Building on the partnership formed by the two organisations in 2021, developments include a new module which adds a layer of further capability to the Kairos control room assistant model, drawing on core data typically obtained during a project’s operation to ascertain gaps in instrumentation and locate hazards before they pose a greater risk to safety.

An intelligent digital twin empowers technicians and consultants to identify potential hazards and operability problems to maximise performance and maintain high safety standards. At the same time, calculations or assessments made by experts can be digitally verified by the software to prevent human error.

HAZOP Assistant complements Vysus Group’s extensive risk management capabilities within the energy sector. Combining expert domain and process knowledge with the unique explainable artificial intelligence (AI) software from Kairos ensures a targeted and comprehensive analysis of an energy asset, ultimately improving safety and operational efficiency.

Robert Nyiredy, VP Risk Management with Vysus Group, said: “It’s no secret that potentially dangerous and hazardous factors, such as flammable and explosive materials and equipment, are widely used in the energy sector. In the complex production process system, it is therefore essential to not only avoid design mistakes, but also to be able to predict the cause of process alarms during operations. The Kairos software solution supports and extends the traditional HAZOP, reducing the need for highly specialised, difficult, and time-consuming workshops, and producing a more targeted analysis as a result. The explainable AI digital twin presents instant analysis of root-causes, consequences and safeguards when given a guide word; vital when identifying even the smallest flaws.

“At Vysus Group, we cover every dimension of an asset’s lifecycle to maintain safe, reliable operation. We are proud to support Kairos in taking HAZOP Assistant further and bringing our additional expertise to achieve outcomes.” 

Bjarne André Asheim, CEO of Kairos Technology, said: “The support from Vysus Group will see our software disrupt the process safety area. Our ultimate goal is to integrate the insights gleaned from the HAZOP into daily operations, ensuring it is at the fingertips of the operators, and always updated and relevant. The development of the HAZOP Assistant will improve the quality and reduce the cost of HAZOPs at brownfield installations or greenfield developments where the tools enable a structured and systematic process for design to operate. Finally, all the experience captured through operation and design can be put in front of operations with real-time analysis and actionable advice to reduce emissions and increase safety.”