CAD Cutting Simulation for Nuclear Decommissioning Waste Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing process simulation programs for nuclear facility decommissioning lack the capability to simulate the cutting process, making it difficult to optimize the decommissioning process, which is costly, time-consuming, and hazardous.
Innovation Solution
A cutting process simulation system using a CAD program with API functions to create and display cut geometry, estimate secondary waste generation, and handle various cutting scenarios, including repeated cuts without increasing data capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing process simulation programs are used for nuclear facility decommissioning, then the simulation can be performed, but the cutting process cannot be simulated and optimization is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the cutting process simulation functionality with the existing process simulation program by integrating CAD kernel capabilities into the decommissioning support system. This merging allows the system to simultaneously handle both general process simulation and specific cutting process simulation, resolving the contradiction between maintaining system simplicity and adding cutting simulation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a multi-functional simulation system that can handle various types of simulations including cutting processes, structural analysis, and decommissioning planning. By making the system universal, it can simulate different aspects of nuclear facility decommissioning within a single platform, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If cutting simulation is added to optimize decommissioning, then cost and time can be reduced, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs cutting process simulation before actual decommissioning operations to predict outcomes, identify potential issues, and optimize cutting paths. This preliminary virtual testing allows optimization of decommissioning plans without requiring complex real-time simulation systems during actual operations, thus improving productivity while controlling system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual copies of the nuclear facility structures in the simulation environment to test cutting processes. By working with digital replicas rather than physical systems, the simulation can be performed repeatedly with different parameters without affecting actual decommissioning operations, enabling optimization while maintaining manageable system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If repeated cutting operations are performed in simulation, then accurate waste estimation is achieved, but data capacity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the representation parameters of cut geometries by using boundary representation (B-rep) methods that define volumes through surfaces and curves rather than storing complete mesh data. This parameter transformation allows repeated cutting operations and accurate waste volume calculations without proportionally increasing data capacity, as the same geometric definitions can be reused across multiple simulation steps.
Data Source
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Figure 3A~3B
Figure 3C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutting process simulation method and a system thereof which can efficiently optimize the decommissioning process of a nuclear facility, thereby saving costs and time and ensuring safety in the decommissioning process. The cutting process simulation system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, may comprise: a display unit: and a control unit which cuts a cutting target in a nuclear facility by using a design program, displays the cut shape on the display unit, and predicts the amount of secondary waste generated in the process of cutting the cutting target.