ML25206A071
| ML25206A071 | |
| Person / Time | |
|---|---|
| Issue date: | 07/25/2025 |
| From: | Ricardo Torres NRC/NRR/DEX/EMIB |
| To: | |
| References | |
| Download: ML25206A071 (1) | |
Text
Advancing IST with Digital Twins and Condition Monitoring Roberto L Torres Davis Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulation, DEX Mechanical Engineering and Inservice Testing Branch ASME/NRC OM Symposium 2025 1
Disclaimer This presentation was prepared by staff of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). It may present information that does not currently represent an agreed upon NRC staff position. NRC has neither approved nor disapproved the technical content.
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NRC on Digital Twins 3
- NRC staff are actively evaluating Digital Twin (DT) technologies as part of our broader assessment of advanced condition-based monitoring (CBM) for inservice testing (IST).
- Focus is on alignment with 10 CFR 50.55a, 50.65, and the proposed 10 CFR Part 53 framework for advanced reactors.
- Regulatory guides such as RG 1.192 (OMN-29) already support technology-inclusive, performance-based IST strategies.
What Were Exploring 4
- NRC Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research has evaluated hypothetical case studies using synthetic data and simulation tools:
- Reactor Coolant Pump (RCP): Simulated thermal barrier leak detection with machine learning-enabled Digital Twins.
- Heat Pipe Monitoring: Simulated passive component diagnostics in advanced reactor designs (e.g., microreactors).
- These are not field-deployed but help us understand potential benefits, limitations, and code implications.
Key Challenges Under Review
- VVUQ (Verification, Validation, and Uncertainty Quantification) for AI/ML models.
- Sensor integrity and long-term reliability in nuclear environments.
- Model explainability to support transparency and regulatory confidence.
5 Source: Adadi, A., & Berrada, M. (2018). Peeking inside the black-box: A survey on explainable artificial intelligence (XAI).
IEEE Access, 6, 52138-52160.
ASME Code Implications
- Code Case OMN-29 supports pump monitoring - expand to DTs
- OM-2 Code supports performance-based IST - ready for DT/CBM
- Define: sensor criteria, model metrics, VVUQ expectations 6
Recommendations
- Develop guidance on integrating DTs into IST programs.
- Support pilot projects to benchmark performance and understand implementation gaps.
- Form a working group to coordinate DT applications across OMN-29, OM-2, and future OM Code initiatives.
7 Image by pch.vector on Freepik
QUESTIONS?
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