Operator Training Simulators

The Operator Training Simulators market research study delivers current market analysis plus a five year market and technology forecast. 

Operator Training Simulators: The Most Effective Way to Train Operators

Operator training simulators have proven to be the most effective method to train operators. Operator training for abnormal situations in high consequence processes can improve operating efficiency, shorten startups, or rate changes, allow operators the experience to deal with highly dangerous situations like core meltdowns of nuclear plants, or managing complex chemical reactions, or managing safe operations of process equipment like pumps, compressors, or fired heaters.

This market report includes training simulators for the process industries focused on console and field operators. Training simulators can be hardware or software based and may include simulations of the process, the control system, and/or the spatial arrangement of the physical process plant. The OTS market includes software, hardware, and services.

OTS products may include hardware, software, and services. Over the past years, a simulator could be a complete hardware replica of the control system, connected to a process simulator with the actual I/O hardware. It is more likely that today, the control system and the process simulator are virtual software that can run on one or more PC’s and servers. The immersive simulators can be built in a number of ways such as a walk inside studio with floor to ceiling screens, projections on curved mirrors to the operator in the center of a geodesic dome. Or it may be used like a “heads up” display like Oculus or HoloLens or by simply using a PC with XBox or other video game navigation using avatars.

Operator Training Simulators Market Trends

In addition to providing a five-year market forecast, the Operator Training Simulator Market Report provides detailed quantitative current market data and addresses key strategic issues as follows.

Virtual Control Systems Provided by Suppliers Are Normal for Simulation

Virtually all control system suppliers are providing run-time versions of control systems that can run in a virtual machine (VM), typically, on a Windows operating system. The main reason for this is not simulation, but to provide a virtual platform for control system project engineering and FAT testing, as the trend is to ship actual control hardware directly to the field without full staging. Control system suppliers are increasingly offering advanced simulation features, like initialize, freeze, playback, and real-time speed adjustments for the control system simulation to match corresponding features in the process simulators.

Lifecycle Use of Models Keeps Simulation Models Alive

There are increased efforts to keep training simulators up to date with running process plants. This is made easier when the native control system display and control configurations can be directly loaded and connected with the process simulation. There is increased effort by both end users and suppliers to use the digital twin concept for the design of the plant, for validating the control system, for the training of operators, and for continued engineering use. There are efforts by many top-tier end user companies to keep the significant intellectual property investment alive for the life of the plant. One motivating factor is that the digital twin helps companies retain critical process knowledge that is leaving with retiring baby boomers.

OTS for Nuclear Power Remains Steady

Nuclear power simulators continue with a high level of support and upgrades. ANSI 3.5 (nuclear power plant simulators for use in operator training and examination) is used as the basis for maintaining full-scope simulators. These simulators are kept up to date with a high degree of maintenance. The need to keep training simulators in good condition is supported by various worldwide analyses of the Fukushima accident. The US AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) and IAEA (International Atomic Energy Association) recognize the need for effective simulation-based training.