A Collaborative Virtual Reality System (VRS) with X3D Visualization for RAPID.

A collaborative Virtual Reality System (VRS) software with X3D interactive visualization has been developed for the RAPID Code System. The software is named “VRS-RAPID”. VRS-RAPID has several key features including an intuitive and fast input preparation; on-the-fly simulation of nuclear systems using RAPID; 3D, 2D, and tabular visualization of RAPID outputs; nuclear inspection and detection capabilities; and possibility for collaboration of users at different sites. The latter feature provides an excellent capability for training of students and professionals. Different layers of X3D models are used for the visualization of the nuclear system and to display the code output and the system environment. VRS-RAPID can be accessed via a web browser from a variety of devices, including computers, tablets, and smart-phones. The current version of VRS-RAPID includes databases for simulation of Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) Pools, SNF Casks, and nuclear reactor cores. The RAPID code system is developed based on the innovative Multi-stage Response-function Transport (MRT) methodology, that has been thoroughly benchmark and allows for real-time simulation of nuclear systems. Although developed for coupling with the nuclear code system RAPID, the VRS can be adapted to the modeling and simulation of any physics. The goal of the VRS system is to enable real-time computation and analysis of real-life nuclear systems in a collaborative setting for professionals and students, even far apart from each other; as well as simplifying the input preparation and output processing of complex scientific computing software.