How Should we Shape our Future PC
Based Simulator Program?
Chad Painter
Nuclear Power Technology Development Section (NPTDS)
May 2014
IAEA
International Atomic Energy Agency
Simulator Enhancements
• Simulators need to continually evolve or they will
become obsolete!
• OS and IT continues to evolve
• New operating system versions, require changes to software
• Touch screen technology, brings new opportunities to enhance learning
experience
• 3D visualization tools also bring new learning opportunities
• Use of multi-screens more common place
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Immediate changes based on our discussions
• Change PC-based to “basic principles”
• Add list of related publications
• Identify a version of IAEA distribution disc on
our web site, so everyone knows current
version.
• Incorporate Dr. Bereznai multimedia files
into CANDU folder
• I need to work with IAEA to better define
export control requirements
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Other Enhancements
• Clearly identify AOO, DBA, and BDBA
• Include time advance option to speed up simulation
• Ability to output parameters to a spreadsheet, aids in
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analysis
Modify BWR simulator to reflect Power/Feed water flow
control as opposed to Power/Core flow map
Add containment cooling and vent system to VVER
simulator
Incorporate the ability to modify plant parameters
Incorporate “mathcad-like” files, assist in understanding
basic physics
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Do we need to upgrade our user documentation?
• Clearly distinguish between AOOs, DBA,
and BDBA events
• Should we develop a IAEA document
describing how best to use the simulators in
a nuclear engineering curriculum?
• Would it be useful for the IAEA to host some
sort of online forum for the sharing of best
practices?
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IAEA Learning Management System
• Web based
• Phase 1 course to understand reactor system
basics
• Classroom
• Phase 2 course to work hands on with PC
based simulators
• Benefit: minimize hotel & per diem costs for
2 week course
• What if we develop a Web based Video
course?
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Cloud Based Systems
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Provide platform independent software
Improve global access
Reduce cost to mail CD packages
Allow better control of export sensitive
technology
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Plethora of Open Source Software
• Eclipse, Integrated Development
Environment (IDE)
• Supports development of C++, JAVA, Python,
Fortran and other codes; including Windows
Builder (GUI builder software)
• Python and Java programming languages
• allow device independent software
• 3D visualization
• Blender, Sketchup, and VTK
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Modelica-based Simulators?
• Modelica
• object-oriented,
declarative, multidomain modeling
language
• component-oriented
modeling of complex
systems
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Simulator Details?
• Severe Accident models
• Fuel performance models
• Dose prediction models
• e.g., effect of fuel failure on airborne levels in
BWR steam plant
• Details related to other system components
• e.g., ability to change condensate inlet
temperature and what the effects on condenser
vacuum
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What about Advanced Reactor Simulators?
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Integral water-cooled Small Modular Reactor
High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor
Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor
Lead-cooled Fast Reactor
Molten Salt Reactor
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What might the Future look like?
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Multi-screen mode with 3D visualization,
incorporating touch screen technology, and
built-in mathcad-like models
Next Steps……..group discussions
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Simulator Development and Future Needs
Educational Applications and Needs
Visualization technology and ideas for future
Open Source Software and Web
Applications
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