Design and implementation of virtual refueling simulation prototype system for CLEAR-I

• We develop a virtual simulation system which contributes to CLEAR-I.
• A motion design method for the simulation of refueling operations is developed.
• The proposed system can support and evaluate the updated refueling scenarios.
• The innovative design of the refueling system is feasible through the simulation.

The current refueling system of China Lead-based Research Reactor (CLEAR-I) is still in the developing stage and requires frequent changes of the refueling design scenarios. This paper presents a virtual simulation prototype which contributes to the complex refueling system for CLEAR-I. The proposed simulation system focuses on utilizing a desktop virtual environment to simulate the complex mechanical movement of triple crank connecting rod mechanism which consists of large rotating plug, small rotating plug and transfer machine. Main features of the proposed simulation system are: (1) automatic refueling scene modeling, (2) XML-based management for refueling scenario, (3) motion simulation and collision detection, (4) record and evaluation of refueling simulation process. The system architecture, features and capabilities of the developed virtual simulation prototype system were described. And the refueling simulation tests were carried out in order to meet the frequently updated engineering design for refueling scenarios of CLEAR-I.