The Caribbean Industrial Research Institutes (CARIRI’s) Metallurgy department recently hosted a “Root Cause Failure Analysis Seminar” on Wednesday 15th July 2015 at the Cara Suites Hotel and Conference Centre. The aim of the seminar was to introduce Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA) as a new concept for analyzing failure and suitable measures to prevent such recurrences.
The seminar was well attended by approximately 100 persons. Senator the Honourable Dr. Bhoendradatt Tewarie, Ministry of Planning and Sustainable Development who delivered the featured address. Dr. Tewarie spoke of the importance of CARIRI’s Metallurgy department in relation to Failure Analysis as statistically 75% of failures occur due to corrosion related problems. The cost of corrosion and even the maintenance of corrosion can prove to be a financial strain for the country. He also touched on the pioneering work being done by CARIRI in terms of its Corrosion Mapping within Trinidad.
CARIRI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mr. Liaquat Ali Shah gave the opening remarks which spoke of CARIRI’s operations specifically its Centre for Enterprise Development (CED) and its international partnerships with organizations such as WAITRO, National Metallurgy Laboratory (NML) of India and the Danish Technological Institute in particular which influenced the Inventor Advisory Service (IAS). Mr. Shah explained that CARIRI recognizes the fit between the DTI’s approach to IAS and CARIRI’s efforts at the CED and the benefits a programme of this nature can have to the national economy.
The featured speaker was international expert Dr. Devendra Deo Narain Singh, Chief Scientist and Consultant on Metallurgical and Corrosion Failures of India. Dr. Singh spoke on the need for Metallurgical Failure Analysis in Trinidad and Tobago. The theme of his discussion was “Learning from Failures makes us wiser.” His presentation highlighted how prone Trinidad is to corrosion and gave the example of the Point Lisas Industrial Estate which has an abnormally high rate of corrosion and possible reasons for this. Dr. Singh also spoke on Metallurgical failures and states the main human reasons for this are ignorance, negligence and greed. He closed off his presentation by urging companies to approach expert companies such as CARIRI for Root Cause Failure Analysis instead of simple Failure Analysis.
CARIRI’s own Metallurgy experts Mr. Marco Nunes and Mr. Frank Byron were presenters at the seminar. Mr. Marco Nunes spoke on CARIRI’s capabilities in Metallurgical Failure Analysis as well as the state-of-the-art analyzers, specialized tools and equipment to properly conduct Failure Analysis and Root Cause Failure Analysis. Mr. Nunes ended by touching on the cadre of human intelligence specifically the engineers with 20 years experience as well as support from external consultants through CARIRI’s partnerships with laboratories in Malaysia, India and Egypt.
Mr. Frank Byron focused his presentation on “Case Studies of Metallurgical Failures.” He discussed failures on Sucker rod from oil wells, Socket head cap screws for Trunnion cap valve, 2” and 3” Ø Steam pipelines connected to steam generators and three heat recovery seam generator tube samples (HRSG). His presentation highlighted issues such as design deficiencies and inadequate maintenance, material and processing deficiencies and lastly service conditions and improper operations.
The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI) and the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) have teamed up to host ‘The Intellectual Property Clinic’. The first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago, The Intellectual Property Clinic will seek to bridge the gaps in knowledge, provide a competent base to gather information and allow you to understand your rights.
The IPO Clinic takes the form of an individual consultation and is scheduled for the first Thursday of every month at the Centre for Enterprise Development (CED), Innovation Avenue Freeport. Once a month, you have the opportunity to meet with an IP Officer for a 30-minute period. The IP Officer will be able to assist you within this time period with any questions you may have about your intellectual property (ideas/products/inventions/innovations) and how you can go about securing it. The sessions are completely confidential and are free of charge.
Some of the things the IPO Clinic seeks to address are Information on the protection of IP using Intellectual Property Rights (IPR): Patents, Utility Models, Trademarks, Industrial Designs, Integrated Circuits, Trade Secrets, etc; education, information and training in IP; assistance in the commercialization of IP; and support with IP issues in the Business Plan among others.
The first clinic was conducted on Thursday 5th February 2015, with an impressive response. One of the participants from the clinic, Mr. Derron Sandy said that he was grateful and satisfied with the knowledge that was imparted to him. He is in the business of Creative Arts and was particularly interested in the copyrighting of ideas, drafts and prototypes. He is currently in partnership with another person and is seeking to diminish potential conflict. He is thankful for being a participant in the IPO Clinic and the advice that he was able to receive. Another participant, Mr. Jordon Miller is in the business of Research and Development and was thankful for the Clinic as well. Both participants stated that they would recommend the programme to their business colleagues as well.
The Clinic is expected to continue over the next few months and anyone who is interested in setting up their own consultation with an IP Officer can contact CARIRI at 299-0209 ext 2403 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or register online at www.cariri.com
Fraser were both on hand to sign the MOU for this new and innovative relationship which will benefit the region significantly.