ITER Hot Cell process operability analysis using discrete event simulation tools

This paper reports on the use of Discrete Event Simulation tools for operability analysis of the Iter Hot Cell (HC) design. A simulation model representing the operation of the ITER Hot Cell has been created. The model incorporates the process logic for ITER components that are required to be refurbished, maintained and disposed of within the Hot Cell. This paper presents some results of the simulation indicating the performance of the Hot Cell for Divertor and Port Plug refurbishment. The results show that based on the established task durations a full 54 cassette Divertor refurbishment takes 4536 h, longer than the planned 6-month shutdown scheduled for the task. The simulation provides a platform to accurately size the capacity of process equipment with respect to given budgetary constraints and to identify opportunities to smooth the process flow. Effects of parameters such as human resource shift patterns, equipment mean time between failure and random variability in process times on overall Hot Cell productivity have been studied. The simulation model is flexible, capable of evolving in parallel with the Hot Cell design as more detailed input data becomes available thereby providing a valuable decision making and design optimisation tool throughout the development of the Hot Cell and beyond that into operation.