A 3D Simulation Platform for Fuel Handling and Storage Systems

The Fuel Handling and Storage System (designation code: PMC) is a critical subsystem in nuclear power plants, responsible for the safe loading, transfer, storage, and retrieval of fuel and core components during refueling. Conventional PMC systems rely heavily on manual visual inspection, and while 2D monitoring based on sensor signals offers supplementary support, it lacks integration of multi-device, multi-viewpoint, and cross-temporal information, limiting safety and efficiency. We present a 3D simulation platform, built with a industrial quasi-digital twin strategy, that combines high-fidelity modeling with spatiotemporal data from industrial encoders to reconstruct and synchronize equipment states. A dedicated hardware–software architecture and control algorithms convert operational data into unified flows driving real-time simulation and 3D rendering. The visualization results are delivered to multiple touchscreen terminals, offering interactive feedback and user-controlled viewpoints that improve coordination among personnel and equipment. The platform enhances information clarity, spatial awareness, and interference or collision avoidance compared with conventional systems. Besides online simulation, the platform also supports offline simulations using historical logs and procedural files, enabling repeated training and reducing potential operational errors in live environments. A built-in spatial mapping algorithm adapts the virtual environment to plants of varying scales. Validation via gripper vibration evaluation and system error analysis confirms spatiotemporal consistency and high simulation accuracy between real and virtual environments, providing a practical foundation for future PMC enhancements.