Operator Training Simulator

An operator training simulator (OTS) is a computer-based training system that uses a dynamic simulation model of an industrial process, usually integrated with an emulator of the process plant's distributed control system (DCS).^[1]

Elements

An OTS uses a dynamic simulation of the process in order to generate the appropriated data to feed an emulation of the plant's control system. The elements of a typical OTS are the following:^[1]

Dynamic simulation software^[1]
Process model^[1]
Instructor interface^[1]
Control system integration software^[1]
DCS emulator^[1]
Replica of the operator station^[1]

Applications

Common applications of OTS systems are the following:

New control room operator training (e.g., start-up, shutdown, and emergency procedures)
Existing control room operator refresher training (e.g., start-up, shutdown, and emergency procedures)
Platform for advanced process control (APC) and optimization
Validating DCS control and logic checkout
Validating and improving plant operating procedures
“What if?” analysis (scenario analysis)
Engineering tool for developing and testing new control strategies