Deploying Extended Reality (XR) for Digital Operations and Maintenance (O&M) at the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL)

Abstract

This report documents the preliminary efforts to digitize operation and maintenance (O&M) activities for the Mechanisms Engineering Test Loop (METL). METL became operational in September 2018 with the mission to provide an ecosystem for Advanced Reactor Development (ARD). METLs flagship facility's primary purpose is conducting small to intermediate scale tests for Sodium Fast Reactors (SFR) [1]. Its' resemblance to commercial SFR's intermediate heat transport system, prototypic operating conditions, and industrial construction practices/materials provides the overarching benefit of establishing a proving ground for emerging operations and maintenance (O&M) activities such as incorporating Extended Reality (XR) applications throughout the program lifecycle. Purpose & BackgroundConstruction, maintenance, and operations of Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) are expected to be constrained by skilled labor [2]. Commercializing the fourth generation (GEN-IV) of NPPs may amplify the challenge of acquiring and retaining qualified employees as it will be a new frontier for design/build firms and operators. In a sensitive industry such as Nuclear Energy, exceptional training and performance is imperative, thus a nuclear workforce could be the linchpin for the continued success of the current NPP fleet and realization of GEN-IV NPP deployment goals. This challenge motivated the METL team to acquire commercially available XR hardware and software, create XR content, integrate XR with its' existing arsenal of digital capabilities and demonstrate and deploy the applications for testing at METL with the expectations of ultimately deploying the technology at a commercial reactor.