The eVinci microreactor is a ~15 MWt reactor that delivers high temperature heat from the reactor core, through the heat pipes and a Primary Heat Exchanger, to an open-air Brayton Power Conversion System. In addition, designs of eVinci are being considered for hydrogen production, industrial process heat, and radio-isotope production, amongst other applications. The reactor leverages Tristructural Isotropic (TRISO) fuel within a graphite core block and is designed for inherent, passive safety as well as the capability to support microgrid integration.
A digital twin of the Electrical Demonstration Unit (EDU) has been developed to demonstrate real-time predictive and analytic functionality when synchronized with data during its operation. The EDU was built and tested prior to the twin’s development, so the twin has been developed using existing simulation and test data.
As result of this work, several near-term and long-term economic benefits have been identified for the use of digital twins. Among the short-term benefits are the identification of a path forward (methodology) to develop the digital twin and a reduction of the number of sensors needed in the test facilities and/or reactors. Potential long-term benefits include the reduction of the number of personnel on site, improved condition monitoring, improvement of fuel utilization, and the capability for continuous operation improvement.
