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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014
doi: 10.14355/ijnese.2014.0401.05

Design and Development of Virtual Panels

for Handling Control Room in PFBR
Simulator
Bindu Sankar1, Jaideep Chakraborty2, Seetha H.3, Thirupurasundari D.4, Jayanthi T.5, Kuriakose K.K.6,
Satya Murty S.A.V.7
Computer Division, Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu, India
*1

bindu@igcar.gov.in; 2jaideep@igcar.gov.in; 3seethah@igcar.gov.in

Abstract
The paper describes the design and development of Virtual
Panels for Handing Control Room in full scope replica PFBR
operator training simulator. Handling Control Room panels
and consoles are used for Fuel Handling operations viz
control and monitoring of fuel handling system. Handling
Control Room consists of four control panels and four
consoles. Virtual panels are used to emulate the real
Handling Control Room panels/consoles and have the same
layout as that of the actual plant. The hardware indicators,
digital recorders, lamps, control switches, annunciation
windows etc of hardware panels are replaced using software
modules and they are graphically represented in 2D screen.
The virtual panels are used for testing the process and logic
models of fuel handling system in simulator.
Keywords
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor; Virtual Panel; Full Scope Replica
Simulator; Fuel Handling System

Introduction
Well trained operators are essential for plant safety in
any Nuclear Power Industry. According to regulations
of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), operators
need to be trained using Full Scope Replica Simulator.
A Full Scope Replica Operator training simulator
named KALBR-SIM was developed at Indira Gandhi
Centre for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam, India. The
scope of PFBR operator training simulator includes the
modeling and simulation of all fuel handling
equipments and their operations. Fuel handling
system consists of two sub systems Invessel and Exvessel handling. In-vessel handling involves
operations of Transfer Arm (TA), Large Rotatable Plug
(LRP) and Small Rotatable Plug (SRP). Ex-vessel
handling involves operations of huge equipments such
as Inclined Fuel Transfer Machine (IFTM), cell transfer
machine (CTM) etc. This paper is organized as follows.

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The first section gives brief description of PFBR

followed by hardware and software details of KALBRSIM. Next section deals with handling control room
layout and the operator actions performed there. This
is followed by a brief introduction on process and
logics models for fuel handling system. Next section
explores the need for virtual panel modeling. The
subsequent sections discusses in detail the design and
development of virtual panel modeling and
integration and testing of all models in simulator.
Brief Description of PFBR
Prototype Fast Breeder Power reactor (PFBR) is a pool
type, sodium cooled, plutonium-uranium oxide
fuelled, reactor with a thermal power of 1250 MWt
and an electrical power output of 500 MWe. PFBR
consists of three circuits namely Primary sodium,
Secondary sodium and Steam - Water circuits. The
primary sodium circuit consists of two sodium pumps
and four numbers of Intermediate Heat Exchangers
(IHX) inside the main vessel. The secondary sodium
circuit consists of two identical loops each with a
secondary sodium pump and four numbers of Steam
Generator (SG). Steam and water system employs once
through type steam generators producing super
heated steam at very high temperature and pressure
and adopts a reheat and regenerative cycle using live
steam for reheating. To ensure safety, design with
adequate safety margin, early detection of abnormal
events to prevent accidents and mitigation of
consequences of accidents, if any, is adopted.
Operator Training Simulator KALBR-SIM
KALBR-SIM Operator Training Simulator is a fullscope, replica type simulator which provides
comprehensive training to operators in the PFBR plant

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

operations. The simulator consists of mathematical

models of PFBR subsystems running in a computer
system to replicate the operational characteristics of
the plant. PFBR Training Simulator is designed to
simulate the steady state and dynamic responses of
the plant in real-time to operator actions. The PFBR
subsystems identified for simulation are Neutronics
System, Primary Sodium System, Secondary Sodium
System, Decay Heat Removal Systems, Steam Water
System, Electrical Systems, Core monitoring and Fuel
Handling systems. Refer Fig. 1 for systems developed
by KALBR-SIM.

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recorders, annunciation windows etc.

Software Architecture of Simulator
The software architecture of PFBR operator Training
Simulator KALBR-SIM shown in Fig. 3 consists of the
following components instructor, executive, logger ,
Database (DB) server, Messaging and Data Sharing
Mechanism (MDSM), Logic model, virtual panel
model, plant controls, Digital Control System (DCS)
interface, Fuel Handling System(FHS) external model,
input/output (I/O) panel interface which all are in
UNIX platform. Fuel Handling process model and the
interactive graphical user interface of fuel handling
system is in windows environment. UDP socket based
multithreaded framework based on client/server
architecture for cross-platform data communication
was used in full scope replica PFBR operator training
simulator to communicate with the process models of
FHS. Instructor provides the front end graphic user
interface for communication by providing the facilities
to control and monitor the simulator operation and
conduct training sessions. Executive controls and
synchronizes simulator components and is linked with
the Instructor.

FIG. 1 SYSTEMS SIMULATED

Hardware Architecture of Simulator

The hardware architecture of PFBR operator Training
Simulator KALBR -SIM is shown in Fig. 2, and consists
of hardware panels and consoles, simulator server
class computer, instructor station, input/output devices,
simulator network and power supply respectively.

FIG. 3 SOFTWARE ARCHITECTURE OF SIMULATOR

Brief Description of Handling Control Room

FIG. 2 HARDWARE ARCHITECTURE OF SIMULATOR

The Simulator server takes the role of plant and does

various mathematical calculations to mimic the reactor
in real time. It takes the input from the control panel/
consoles through I/O devices such as keyboard/
switches/button etc. After processing, the relevant
outputs are displayed in devices such as indicators,

Handling Control Room is separate from Main

Control room where the regular reactor operations
take place. The Handling Control Room houses all the
human machine interfaces (HMI) pertaining to the
control and monitoring of fuel handling operations.
HCR Layout
Handling Control Room consists of four control panels

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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

and four consoles. Handling Control Room location/

Layout is shown in Fig. 4. Each Handling Control
Room panel and consoles are dedicated for fuel
handling system operation. Panel 1/Console 1 are
provided for TA and rotatable plug (RP) operations.
Panel 2/Console 2 is provided for IFTM related
operations. Panel 3/Console 3 is provided for Fresh
Fuel Subassembly operation and finally Panel
4/Console 4 is provided for Spent Fuel Subassembly
operation. Each panel/console also accommodates
indicators, recorders, lamps, selector switches, annunciation windows etc.

hardware buttons. The operator can bypass any

sequence provided the interlocks permit.
For example, the operations that can be performed
from panel 1/console 1 are shown in table 1,
TABLE 1

Sl.No.
1
2
3
4
5
6

TA/RP OPERATIONS

TA/RP operations performed from Console 1/Panel 1

Operation Type
Operation Details
Clockwise rotation and
SRP rotation
anticlockwise rotation
Clockwise rotation and
LRP rotation
anticlockwise rotation
Clockwise rotation and
TA rotation
anticlockwise rotation
Upward and Downward
Guide tube translation
movement
Upward and Downward
Gripper hoist translation
movement
Outward and Inward
Gripper Finger Opening
movement

Modeling and Simulation of Fuel Handling

System

FIG. 4 HANDLING CONTROL ROOM LOCATION

Operator Operations
The operator needs to perform fuel handling
operations either at Handling Control Room panel or
console depending on the equipment which needs to
be handled. During normal fuel handling operations,
all operations on Fuel Handling Equipments are
carried out remotely from HCR panel, console, local
control centres or directly from the field. The operator
performs these operations either using switches or
buttons provided in the panel/console or through soft
command provided in display stations. The operator
commands are executed by transmitting the
commands digitally on the safety class 2 data highway.
Operator can perform two types of operation during
fuel handling operations viz, automatic or manual,
1) Automatic Selection

Need for Virtual Panel

On selecting automatic sequence, the computer

software guides the operator for each step. After
completion of each step, the operator has to
acknowledge it.

The developed simulator models can be tested using

virtual panels. During the initial phase, the process
models were developed. Later the logic models and
finally virtual panels were developed. Some of the
advantages of using virtual panel are listed below;

2) Manual Selection
On selection, manual sequence, the operator can
execute the individual steps by himself through
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Modeling and simulation of fuel handling system for

Full Scope Replica Operator Training Simulator
involves process, logic and virtual panel modeling.
This paper will concentrate more on virtual panel
modeling. The process models are code intensive. The
process models consisting of all fuel handling
component operations are written using c++ in
windows environment. The code can handle events
and consists of engines, multithreading etc. Logic
models are modeled using simulator tool. The main
inputs are taken from design drawings, design and
operation notes, process and instrumentation (P&I)
drawings, general assembly (GA) drawings and
discussion with design/system experts. The controls
and interlocks were modeled using standard libraries
like AND gate, OR gate, NOT gate etc. Application
specific functional blocks were also created. The logic
models were processed as per the set points and
thresholds available in the requirement document. The
output signals derived using logic models were used
for controlling and providing interlocks.

Cost Effective
They are excellent replacement of actual hardware

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

panels as they are cost effective replacement. The cost

of the software which can mimic the hardware panels
is a pittance in comparison to the actual panel cost.
The virtual panels can be made replica of the
hardware panels in the sense that they can mimic the
size, actual look and feel and physical properties of the
equipment in a similar way. For example, if the push
button in the actual hardware panel is a latch type
then the same can be mimicked in the virtual panel too.
Informative and Attractive
The front panel of the entire virtual panel can be made
more informative on their contents as this will depict
the entire layout of handling control room. The virtual
panel can be made more attractive by giving different
colors for aesthetics. The controls and indicators can
be made in different background (if needed) so that
the operator can distinguish them at a glance itself.
The alarm panel on encountering alarm or normal
values mimics the same color code as used in actual
hardware panel.

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graphical libraries. Models consist of objects, their

parts and their location. Models consist of single sub
model or a group of sub models. To differentiate the
models, individual unique names are assigned using
the graphical editor so that they can be accessed
during runtime by calling its name. Each model
contains a set of attributes which are manipulated in
the graphical editor or through the application c code.
The development methodology adopted for virtual
panel modeling is shown in Fig. 5. Indicators, Digital
recorders, Lamps, Control switches, Annunciation
windows etc were modeled and digital or analog
variable names were associated with each model such
that they get triggered when the simulator runs
interactively with logic and process models.

Excellent Test Bed

Developers can use the virtual panels and can view
everything at a single place. Because of this, virtual
panels are an excellent test bed. The system developers
need not run around the hardware panel room for
monitoring and control as it can be done at a single
place itself and developers can fine tune the system
before porting into the actual hardware panel.
Design and Development of Virtual Panel for
Handling Control Room
Virtual Panel for Handling Control Room was
developed using the simulator graphic tool. Virtual
panel provides the human machine interface as they
are identical with operator console and control room
panels of the reference nuclear power plant. Design
and development of virtual panel was done as per
hardware panel/console drawings, annunciation
window legend drawings etc. A virtual control panel
consists of 2D screen graphically representing actual
control elements such as buttons, switches etc and also
they contain lamps, recorders etc which are used for
monitoring purposes. The virtual panel controls can be
operated by button clicks using mouse. The virtual
panel consist of a main panel viewer and inside the
viewer all the widgets or graphical objects are
arranged hierarchically according to the layout of
Handling Control Room panel/console. Each widget or
graphical object was created using c code with

FIG. 5 VIRTUAL PANEL DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

FIG. 6 VIRTUAL PANEL OF HCR

Handling Control Room Layout visualized in virtual

panel is as shown in Fig. 6. On clicking the buttons 1, 2,
3 or 4 either from first or second row of Handling
Control Room virtual panel layout, the relevant virtual
screen will be displayed. For example, on clicking

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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

Button 1 in control Room panel, then the screen

related to rotatable plugs and transfer arm will be
displayed and one clicking console-2 button, the
screen related to console 2 will get displayed. Each
screen consists of three parts and is arranged
according to alarm, controls and indicators.
Apart from virtual panel, there is also soft panel
control for fuel handling equipments as shown in Fig.
7. This soft panel will be provided in display stations.
The operator can either choose operation of equipment
from virtual panel or through soft panel in display
station GUI. The soft panel was designed using JAVA
and integrated with virtual panel and simulator tool.
For choosing soft panel operation for process, the
operator has to choose computer guided (COMP) in
the sequence selector switch. If the operator choose
manual switch (MAN) the operator actions will be
through virtual panel (ie hardware panel in the real
plant).

contains one screen for controls, one screen for display

and two screens for displaying alarm annunciations.
By clicking, the relevant buttons the screen changes.
Rotatable plug and Transfer arm panel display screen
in virtual panel is shown in Fig. 8.
Rotatable plug and Transfer arm panel control screen
in virtual panel are shown in Fig. 9. In the display
screen, the indicators are digital indicators such as
LEDs, analog meters for showing the analog position,
etc. In the control screen, the controls consists of on/off
buttons, two way and three way selector switches,
piano type gang switch etc. The layout of panel 1 of
HCR consists of display screen, control screen and
annunciation screens. The display screen is arranged
in such a way that the operator gets useful and
relevant information about the equipment being
handled. The first row in the display screen consists of
analog meters depicting the distance travelled and
degree of rotation along with Fuel handling
operation authorized indication. The second row
consists of controls for transfer arm 3D video closedcircuit television (CCTV) manipulation for better
viewing of the components. The third row is shown in
yellow color consisting of LED lamp indication for
guide tube and gripper hoist mechanism information.
The final row indicates the top structure rotation
information, gripper finger and rotatable plug
operation information.

FIG. 7 VIRTUAL PANEL VERSUS SOFT PANEL

FIG. 8 ROTATABLE PLUG AND TRANSFER ARM PANEL

DISPLAY SCREEN IN VIRTUAL PANEL

Transfer Arm and Rotatable Plugs Virtual Panel

In-vessel core handling includes transfer of
subassemblies within the core. Access to every
location over the core is provided with the help of LRP,
SRP and TA. LRP and SRP are placed eccentric to each
other and TA. Transfer arm is an offset type
equipment. It is taken care that at any time, only one
subassembly is handled in the core. Virtual panel

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FIG. 9 ROTATABLE PLUG AND TRANSFER ARM PANEL

CONTROL SCREEN IN VIRTUAL PANEL

The control screen for rotatable plug and transfer arm

panel consist of push button and key switches for
operation of guide tube, gripper hoist, top structure
rotation, gripper finger operation, motor emergency
stop button, lock/unlock buttons etc. There are two
annunciation screens containing alarm legends such as
gripper hoist motor overload, high tension in hoist

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

wire rope, system faulty etc arranged horizontally and

vertically. Alarms get activated on encountering any
abnormal operation. The alarms glow in red color to
inform the operator about the malfunction.
Inclined Fuel Transfer Machine Virtual Panel
Inclined fuel transfer machine aids in transferring
fresh sub assemblies from ex vessel transfer port
(EVTP) to IVTP and spent sub assemblies from IVTP
to EVTP. Ex vessel transfer port is in Fuel building and
IVTP is inside the core in reactor containment building.
The subassemblies which are handled by IFTM are
absorber rods, blankets, fuel SA, reflector and
shielding SAs. IFTM contains two ramps namely
primary and secondary ramp. The IFTM consist of
primary ramp which ends in IVTP and secondary
ramp which ends in EVTP. At the top, it contains
rotatable shield leg (RSL) which can rotate clockwise
or anti clockwise to align itself to one of the ramps.
The transferring of fresh and spent sub assemblies via
IFTM involves pulling up of transfer pot which
contains either dummy sub assembly, fresh sub
assembly or spent sub assembly. The transfer pot is
pulled up through a pulley arrangement into RSL and
then rotated to primary or secondary ramp so that the
transfer pot can be lowered down to either IVTP or
EVTP. Along the primary ramp, there is a primary
gate valve and shield plug. Along the secondary ramp,
there is secondary gate valve. These valves in the
respective ramps get opened while the transfer pot is
pulled up or lowered. The operations are sensed by
many sensors like potentiometers, current transducers,
thermocouples, switches, gamma detectors, pressure
transmitters, flow transmitters etc. These sensor
indicators are shown in the virtual panel. The
operations to be carried out are in the form of key
operated switches, gang switches etc. Alarm panel
indicates the relevant alarm of the panel 2 like RSL
motor overloads, system faulty etc.
Virtual panel for HCR console 2 showing controls,
display and alarm annunciation screens is shown in
Fig. 10.The panel 2 and console 2 of HCR consists of
screens for display, annunciation and controls. The
console 2 display screen consists of indicators which
gives the position sensor values. The LED lamps
indicate the transfer pot operation (lowering or
raising), RSL rotation (towards primary ramp or
secondary ramp), gate valves (open or close), shield
plug (open or close) etc. Apart from this, the video
coverage that is the CCTV capture of the actual
components pan, tilt, zoom etc indication lamps are

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also shown. The console 2 control screen consists of

push buttons and gang switches which help in
operation of the transfer pot lowering or raising along
the primary/secondary ramp. The push buttons also
aid in clockwise/anticlockwise rotation of RSL,
opening/closing of primary gate valve, secondary gate
valve or shield plug. These operations take place with
aid of soft panel. For example, Fig. 11 shows the
operation need to be performed from console 2 and
panel 2 to lower the transfer pot along the primary
ramp. The display screen of panel 2 shows the relevant
glowing of LED lamps during execution and on
completion of operations.

FIG. 10 VIRTUAL PANEL FOR HCR CONSOLE 2

SHOWING CONTROLS, DISPLAY AND ALARM
ANNUNCIATION SCREENS

FIG. 11 TRANSFER POT LOWERING THROUGH VIRTUAL

PANEL OPERATIONS

Fresh Fuel Sub Assembly Virtual Panel

Fresh sub assembly handling system consists of
receipt, inspection, storage and loading of sub
assembly into main vessel. Using Full Scope Replica
Simulator, the operator needs to be trained to operate
the fresh subassembly handling operation using the
controls provided in Handling Control Room panel 3
and console 3. The scope of simulator for handling
fresh fuel sub assemblies, consists of modeling fresh
sub assembly transfer chamber, fresh sub assembly
entry port and fresh subassembly pre heating facility.

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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

Apart from this, the CTM operations for handling

fresh sub assemblies also need to be modeled in full
scope replica simulator. All the other operations
pertaining to handling the fresh sub assemblies such
as, receipt, inspection, storage of fresh sub assemblies
etc will be carried out locally at field. The transfer
chamber is used for transporting fresh sub assembly
from their storage in fresh subassembly storage bay to
the nitrogen filled fuel transfer cell. Fresh sub
assembly entry port is provided in the fuel transfer cell.
Fuel transfer cell provides an inert (filled with
nitrogen), shielded and leak tight cell during transfer
of fresh or spent sub assemblies. There are three pre
heating vessels and a plug storage vessel inside fuel
transfer cell to preheat all types of subassemblies
before loading into the reactor. The CTM, lifts the
subassembly from the transfer chamber through the
entry port to pre heating facility. The preheated
subassembly is then transferred to EVTP located
within the fuel transfer cell using CTM. Later with the
help of IFTM, the sub assembly will be transferred into
the reactor core.
Virtual panel display and control screens of fresh
subassembly control panel is shown in Fig. 12. The
first row in display screen of fresh sub assembly
handling virtual panel, shows analog meters
indicating CTM positions and subassembly (SA)
weight. The CTM has to travel both horizontally along
the rail as well as vertically (downward/upward) and
hence there are two sets of values for coarse and fine
positions. The subassemblies weight is shown in
another analog meter display. The second row shows
parameters such as zoom, pan, tilt etc of the CCTV
camera kept in fuel transfer cell. There are also three
analog meters displaying clock with stop watch value
along with preheating vessel temperature and heater
power in KW. The third row lists the various
operation indications of CTM. There are two CTMs,
each can either handle fresh fuel sub assembly or
spent fuel subassembly depending on the choice made
at console 3 or panel 3. Apart from this, there are other
LED indicators, which shows the current status of
valves, heaters etc. Through the control screen of
virtual panel of HCR panel 3, the CTM operations, fuel
handling startup operations and preheating facility
operations are carried out through key switches and
push buttons. Before starting any fuel handling
operation, there is a prerequisite to satisfy sixteen fuel
handling startup conditions. These conditions are
monitored from panel 3, the relevant LED lamps and
inhibition switches are present in panel 3. Once fuel
handling startup gets authorized, a fuel handling
40

operation authorized LED lamp glows in all the

panels and consoles, permitting the fuel handling
operations.

FIG. 12 VIRTUAL PANEL DISPLAY AND CONTROL SCREENS OF

FRESH SUBASSEMBLY CONTROL PANEL

Spent Fuel Sub Assembly Virtual Panel

Modeling and simulation of Spent Fuel Sub Assembly
Handling system is a part of development of PFBR
operator Training simulator. Some of the equipment
involved in this system are under water trolley (UWT),
CTM, spent subassembly transfer machine etc. During
fuel handling, the core subassemblies (Fuel & Blanket
SA) are discharged from internal storage locations in
the periphery of the core after their designed residence
time, to an external storage. There are two identical
CTMs provided over a common rail. One CTM is at
fresh side and other is at spent side. The spent
subassembly which reaches the EVTP through IFTM is
handled by spent side CTM and transferred to
washing facility. The spent SA coming out of the
reactor core is wet with sodium. The entire spent SA
has to be cleaned from sodium sticking to it before
transfer to storage bay. The cleaning of spent SA is
carried out at spent SA washing facility (SSWF), which
is located in the fuel building within the fuel transfer
cell. The spent SA are loaded into the UWT through
spent SA exit port (SSEP). UWT receives the
subassembly at higher elevation and delivers it at

International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

lower elevation within Spent Subassembly Storage Bay

(SSSB). The display and control screen of the virtual
panel of spent sub assembly handling system panel 4
is shown in Fig. 13. The first row contains analog
meters showing the CTM and under water trolley
positions along with sub assembly weight. The second
row shows the video coverage indicators of spent SA
transfer machines such as pan, tilt, zoom etc. The
second column of the same row gives indication in
more detail about the spent SA transfer machine
positions, washing vessel temperature, clock with stop
watch etc. The third row gives the complete
information about the CTM which is similar to panel 3.
The virtual panel through which the spent sub
assembly handling is controlled is also shown below.
The first column indicates the CTM control and the
second column indicates the spent sub assembly
washing facility controls. The other controls which are
present in panel 4 are CTM drive emergency off push
button, clicking which will stop the CTM operations,
EVTP valve open/close etc.

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outputs and then integrated with the simulator and

tested thoroughly. The integration with simulator tool
is as shown in Fig. 14.

FIG. 14 INTEGRATION OF SIMULATOR TOOL WITH EXTERNAL

MODELS

The logic models and virtual panel models were

modeled using the simulator tool and hence the data
flow was through MDSM mechanism. These models
were integrated with the process models and tested
thoroughly. From instructor station, shutdown initial
condition was loaded which mimics the shutdown
state of the reactor. The fuel handling startup
conditions were satisfied by feeding proper control
inputs then the fuel handling system operations were
started through virtual panel controls. The relevant
indications and alarms were checked in the virtual
panel display screen.
Conclusion

FIG. 13 VIRTUAL PANEL DISPLAY AND CONTROL SCREEN

FOR SPENT SUBASSEMBLY OF CONTROL PANEL 4

Integration and Testing of Virtual Panel

The virtual panels were tested independently by
forcing the relevant digital inputs to get expected

Training the operator is a mandatory requirement in

any nuclear power plant. The operators cannot be
trained in the actual plant as the safety is
compromised. Keeping this in mind, the operators
need to be trained in full scope replica simulator
before they start controlling and operating the power
plant from the main control room. Hence, there is a
need to develop the operator training simulator. Each
control panel in the main control room is provided
with
dedicated
embedded
system
which
communicates with the main simulation computer
system through UDP sockets. The system developers
before developing a full fledged full scope replica
simulator need a test bed for testing the models with
the control panel signals before porting into the
simulator replica hardware panels. The excellent
replacement for hardware panels are virtual panels.
The control panel embedded system is emulated
inside the virtual panel software so that the virtual
panel behaves and communicates with the main
simulation computer exactly like the actual control
panel. Virtual panels are not only cost effective but
they are very convenient for the system developers as
they can control and monitor any system conveniently
at a single place with button clicks. Hence the need for
virtual panel has increased dramatically as the training

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International Journal of Nuclear Energy Science and Engineering Volume 4 Issue 1, March 2014

of operators became mandatory. This paper discusses

in detail the design and development of virtual panels
used for fuel handling system of PFBR. The virtual
panels are successfully used during the modeling and
simulation of fuel handling system. Even after the
integration of fuel handling simulator with the
hardware panels, virtual panels are used while
modifications are carried out. Also virtual panels are
used as a supplementary during the operator training,
for mimic display and demonstrations. Excellent
feedbacks have been received on the utility of virtual
panels during development, testing, modification and
actual training.

Annual report 2006-2007. Atomic Energy Regulatory

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Mumbai. Government of India, 2007. http://www.nti.org/

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Bindu Sankar, Jaideep Chakraborty, Rashmi Nawlakha,
Venkatesan A., Raghupathy S., Jayanthi T., Satya Murty
S.A.V., Modelling and Simulation of In-vessel Core
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science,

engineering

and

technology,

issue 0067,july 2012, p 269-275.

Bindu S., Seetha H., Anathanarayanan S., Thirupurasundari

42

Flow Diagrams of Nuclear Power Plant, International

Conference MNGSA, p 1297-1304.
Chetal

S.

C.,

Balasubramaniyan

V.,

Chellapandi

P.,

Mohanakrishnan P., Puthiyavinayagam P., Pillai C. P.,

Raghupathy S., Shanmugham T. K., Sivathanu Pillai
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Jayanthi T., Satya Murty S.A.V., and Swaminathan

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