Operation analysis of headend process facility using discrete event simulation

Abstract

This paper aims to introduce a facility operation modeling and simulation mainly based on a discrete event system modeling scheme. Facilities have become so much complex that its operational status cannot be estimated by simple calculations. A facility can consist of a lot of unit process and a lot of transportation between consecutive processes, which may be modelled as a time driven system or an event driven system. However, the transportation between processes can usually be considered as a discrete event system and not a continuous system. Therefore, in macro-scale, a facility operation can be simulated on the basis of a discrete event system modeling if we do not consider how an individual process behaves. This study introduces the current status of the studies on an operation modeling and simulation regarding typical nuclear facilities along with some instances. Also, this paper provides insights about how a discrete event system can be applied to a nuclear facility. These kinds of modeling and simulation are very important because they can contribute to a facility design in terms of an optimal process and an equipment layout, a generic understanding for regulators, stakeholders and operators, a system diagnosis through by comparing measurement data with simulation results and furthermore it can contribute to an efficient operation scheduling.