A remote virtual simulator for training workers on underwater laser and plasma cutting of reactor internal structures (RVI) required for nuclear power plant decommissioning has been developed for the first time in Korea.

A research team led by Senior Researcher Seo Jeong of the Laser Technology Commercialization Research Laboratory at the Busan Mechanical Engineering Research Center of the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM, President Park Sang-jin), under the Ministry of Science and ICT, announced on the 10th that they have developed a simulator that virtualizes a remote nuclear power plant decommissioning system, enabling workers to simulate underwater laser and plasma cutting training and operate equipment in a situation similar to the actual decommissioning work environment.

The research team constructed a database based on underwater laser and plasma cutting experiments and numerical analysis results of molten pool behavior, using equipment and materials that simulated the underwater cutting environment by shaping the internal structure of Kori Unit 1, which is permanently shut down and scheduled for decommissioning.

In addition, a remote cutting simulation algorithm for underwater robots was developed based on dynamic analysis, and radiological elements were virtualized. In addition, an optimal dismantling process scenario was established considering the shape of the cutting structure and radioactivity to simulate the physical environment in which actual underwater cutting is performed.

Existing domestic simulators implemented the operation of underwater cutting equipment during decommissioning primarily through graphics, based on the design of the nuclear power plant decommissioning environment, which had limitations in simulating the physical phenomena that occur during actual cutting.

In contrast, the simulator developed by the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) this time represents the shape of the cut section generated during underwater cutting robots, underwater laser, and plasma cutting, and implements actual physical phenomena by considering the virtualization of radiological elements, thereby enabling remote training for nuclear power plant decommissioning workers.

Seo Jeong, a principal researcher at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM), stated, “Since the KIMM Busan Center is located near the Kori Nuclear Power Plant, close cooperation with the Nuclear Decommissioning Research Institute is possible, and we expect it to contribute to the establishment of a nuclear decommissioning simulation training facility,” adding that “it will lay the foundation for the development of the world’s best remote decommissioning system.”

This research was conducted as part of the 'Development of Virtual Operation Technology for ICT-based Remote Decommissioning Systems' supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea under the Ministry of Science and ICT, with the participation of Pusan National University, Hanyang University, Sangmyung University, KEPCO KPS, HK, and Yul System.