In February, MEPhI hosted a seminar that was attended by representatives of the private institution for digitalization of nuclear industry Tsifrum and JSC «Science and Innovations». The MEPhI Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering and MEPhI Higher Engineering School presented their developments on a large-scale project to create a digital twin of the research reactor.
MEPhI implements the project within the framework of a modern approach to building the competencies in the field of digital engineering – from computer-aided design (CAD) and engineering (CAE) to manufacturing (CAM), product data management (PDM), product lifecycle management (PLM), etc. At the stage of design, it is convenient to use virtual reality (VR). At the moment, at the first stage, a virtual analog of the reactor is being created. Later it is planned to create a full digital twin, a virtual object that reflects the mathematical models of ongoing processes and the information from sensors located on a real object.
MEPhI Higher Engineering School responsible for CAD models in this project. The university unit has been actively cooperating with the Engineering Division of ROSATOM for several years. At the Digital Seasons of Rosatom (summer 2020) it was presented an object designed by a group of students and transferred to virtual reality.
The Laboratory of Virtual and Augmented Reality of INPhT is responsible for the development of VR-models in the project of the digital twin of the reactor. At the Digital Seasons of Rosatom, the Institute of Nuclear Physics and Technology has already presented its developments - virtual analogs of the subcritical test benches of MEPhI. Those objects are much smaller than a research reactor.
“We have already tested the technology we are talking about - CAD + CAE + VR and referred the solutions to the International Research Center for Advanced Nuclear Technologies on the Russian Island and Virtual Museum "NAUKA 0+", said Deputy Director of INPhT Georgy Tikhomirov.
The project will also involve laboratories of engineering computer modeling and modeling of physical processes in nuclear power plants of INPhI, which have extensive experience in the development of full-scale mathematical models of various nuclear reactors, including mathematical models of simulators for real nuclear power plants.
“We and our colleagues from INPhT join forces - deep understanding of the physics of processes in research reactors and mathematical models, experience in reverse engineering and BIM modeling, operating these models in virtual reality. Thus, we complement each other's knowledge”, noted the head of the MEPhI Higher Engineering School Mikhail Zhabitsky.
“We have experience in developing modern mathematical models of virtually all physical processes necessary for the implementation of this project. It includes neutronics of the core, thermal hydraulics of the circuit, and monitoring of the radiation situation”, added Georgy Tikhomirov.
Any reactor is a complex engineering object consisting of a large number of different equipment, even as small as the MEPhI research reactor that is more than fifty years old.
A virtual analog of a reactor will make it possible to do what cannot be done on a real reactor - for example, increase its power and see how this will affect the characteristics. In virtual reality, scientists will be able to perform any actions with the reactor equipment: replace equipment elements, turn on or off various devices. At the same time, they can see the reaction of the system in the laboratory work mode, in the emulation reconstruction and modernization mode.
Interaction with a virtual object allows scientists to increase the productivity of engineering, scientific, educational activities through the use of digital data, in addition to the data of a real object. It becomes possible to work with an object being far from it, as well as to simulate various situations, such as a crash test, which are dangerous and impossible in reality.
Students enrolled in specialized educational fields will be able to do virtual traineeship performing a full cycle of laboratory work.
This project can become a "pilot" for the creation of such digital twins for all research nuclear reactors and test benches in Russia.
In the future, within the framework of the project, it should be created a full digital twin of the MEPhI research reactor - with all the geometry, building, equipment, electrical, and all the ongoing physical processes.
