Are There Any High-Quality Nuclear Control Simulators Available?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Fearguy1234
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Control Nuclear
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the availability and quality of nuclear control simulators, focusing on their ability to replicate the controls and responses of actual reactors. Participants explore both professional and home-use simulators, as well as opportunities for tours of training facilities.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that every nuclear plant has a simulator for operator training that closely resembles the actual control room, as mandated by US NRC regulations.
  • One participant mentions the ACME BWR Simulator as a decent home-use option for simulating the startup of a BWR reactor, noting its strengths and weaknesses in replicating real operational responses.
  • Another participant shares their experience of training on a full-scale simulator every few weeks, emphasizing its realistic behavior and response.
  • There are offers for tours of nuclear plant training center simulators, with specific locations mentioned by participants.
  • One participant reflects on their past involvement in modeling a simulator from the late 1960s and expresses interest in comparing it to current technologies.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that simulators exist for both professional and home use, but there is no consensus on the effectiveness of specific simulators or the extent to which they replicate real reactor responses. The discussion includes both positive experiences and noted limitations.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention specific simulators and their features, but there are unresolved questions regarding the accuracy of certain responses and the overall quality of home-use options compared to professional training simulators.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in nuclear engineering, reactor operations, and simulation technology may find this discussion relevant, particularly those seeking training resources or insights into simulator capabilities.

Fearguy1234
Messages
14
Reaction score
0
Are there any good Nuclear control simulators, that can simulate the feel of the controls, and simulate the response from the reactor?
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
Yes. Every plant has one that the operators train on (per US NRC regulation following Three Mile Island). Each one looks like an exact duplicate of the real control room: the panels and control switches etc. are the same as the real ones so the feel is as close to identical as possible. The plant response is simulated by computer models.
 
For home use:

The ACME BWR Simulator does a decent job of simulating and explaining the startup of a BWR reactor.

I used it to prepare for getting my BWR senior reactor operator license.

http://bwr.software.informer.com/4.5/

It has a built in training "SRO Certification" program. There are normal program help files, then there are also help files which explain the BWR and operational physics. If you have any questions let me know.

There are a few things that it doesn't do well. It doesn't respond properly when you hit the point of adding heat, which I think is the biggest issue with it. But the controls and interlocks/behaviors of the system is very similar to an actual BWR plant.

As for professional use, I train in a fully scale simulator of the control room every 5-6 weeks. It behaves and responds almost exactly like the plant does.
 
If you are in the US you might get a tour of a simulator used in a nuclear plant training center. If you are in the Southeast I will show you around our sim myself.

@Hiddencamper
BFN here, where are you?
 
montoyas7940 said:
If you are in the US you might get a tour of a simulator used in a nuclear plant training center. If you are in the Southeast I will show you around our sim myself.

@Hiddencamper
BFN here, where are you?

montoyas7940 said:
If you are in the US you might get a tour of a simulator used in a nuclear plant training center. If you are in the Southeast I will show you around our sim myself.

@Hiddencamper
BFN here, where are you?

Clinton.
 
I hope things turn to the good for you guys...
 
Hiddencamper said:
Clinton.

The Clinton plant; Illinois or the Southeast?

I would love to get a tour. I did much of the modeling for the very first such simulator. Dresden 2 simulator, 1967-68.

I bet things are much different now. Would love to see. We could swap,stories, now versus then.
 
I'm at BFN (Alabama) and Hiddencamper is at Clinton (IL.)

Let me know if you are ever nearby and I will show you what I can.
 

Similar threads

Modeling and Simulation in Nuclear Energy
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Computation for nuclear reactor systems
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
I need help please for Simulation of Xenon Oscillations in a Nuclear Reactor
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Where to find detailed control panel pictures of nuclear plants?
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
5K
Proper simulation code for a Nuclear Reactor core
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
6K
Experiment-Simulation comparing count values in MCNP
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
4K
Nuclear Power Gets a Big Boost in the US
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Have pulsed fission reactors got any potential in nuclear energy?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Could a nuclear battery (RTG) be simulated by MCNP5?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Cylindrical and Symmetrical Nuclear Fusion Reactor
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K