Sila Nanotechnologies Transforms Asset Integrity with CorrExpert-eCCD
Sila Nanotechnologies, a leader in next-generation battery materials, is constructing a first-of-its-kind anode processing facility in Washington State, USA. The facility will play a critical role in advancing the next generation of battery technology.
From the outset, Sila faced unique challenges related to mechanical integrity and reliability that required innovative solutions beyond traditional document-based systems.
Creating a mechanical integrity program from scratch
In the early design phase, Sila’s team set out to build a mechanical integrity program from the ground up. A key concern was managing high-temperature damage mechanisms in pressure-retaining equipment. They needed to perform detailed damage mechanism reviews and develop corrosion control documents (CCDs) to establish a strong foundation for their integrity program.
Sila also recognized the importance of having a centralized, accessible, and living repository to house critical corrosion and reliability information. As a first-of-its-kind facility, the design underwent numerous changes, which meant anticipated damage mechanisms and integrity operating windows (IOWs) needed frequent updates. Traditional static documents could not keep up with these evolving requirements.
Recognizing the need for smarter asset management
Sila’s engineering team realized that to manage these challenges effectively, they required a purpose-built software solution for integrity management. The ideal system would intelligently link process data to IOWs and visualize damage mechanisms in a plant-contextual way, which is something that spreadsheets and static files simply couldn’t achieve.
Introducing CorrExpert-eCCD
Becht became a key partner in developing and deploying Sila’s digital integrity framework. Becht introduced Sila to CorrExpert-eCCD, their proprietary software designed to streamline the development and management of corrosion control documents.
Becht not only set up the eCCD platform for Sila but also configured all process units within an intuitive user interface. They provided in-person training to ensure the Sila team felt confident creating and modifying content. Becht also incorporated Sila’s feedback directly into the product roadmap, making multiple updates to tailor the tool to Sila’s specific needs.
Implementing a living integrity system
With Becht leading the development and integration process, Sila seamlessly implemented eCCD as a direct extension of its asset integrity strategy. The software became a “living document,” a dynamic, visual system that evolves alongside plant operations. This ensures that asset strategies remain continuously updated, accurate, and aligned with real-world data.
A new era of reliability and resilience
Introducing CorrExpert-eCCD has been transformative for Sila’s reliability and integrity programs. The software has empowered the company to:
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Improve inspector training. Teams can now visually explore damage mechanisms and IOWs within the context of equipment and process flow.
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Enhance inspection planning. Inspection plans are developed based on damage mechanism susceptibility, ensuring resources are directed where they matter most.
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Enable real-time visibility. Sila can visualize corrosion rates across process flow diagrams (PFDs) and link IOWs to live process data.
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Track strategy updates. eCCD acts as a single source of truth for all asset strategies, ensuring every stakeholder operates with the most current information.