From Physics To Project Management: A Multi-Domain Matrix Model For The Distributed Analysis Of Nuclear Fusion Systems
Year: 2023
Editor: Harold (Mike) Stowe; Tyson R. Browning; Steven D. Eppinger; Jakob Trauer; Christopher Langner; Matthias Kreimeyer; Ola Isaksson; Massimo Panarotto; Arindam Brahma
Author: Torben Beernaert (1,3), Ad Verlaan (2), Pascal Etman (5), Peter Giesen (2), Erik Van Beekum (2), Mariana Ribeiro (3), Ines Bola (3), Lucas Moser (4), Maarten De Bock (4), Ivo Classen (1), Marco De Baar (1)
Series: DSM
Institution: 1: Dutch Institute for Fundamental Energy Research (DIFFER), De Zaale 20, 5612 AJ, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; 2: TNO, P.O. Box 155 NL-2600 AD, Delft, The Netherlands; 3: Active Space Technologies S.A., 3045-508 Coimbra, Portugal; 4: ITER Organization, Route de Vinon-sur-Verdon, CS 90 046, 13067 St. Paul Lez Durance Cedex, France; 5: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
Page(s): 029-038
DOI number: 10.35199/dsm2023.04
Abstract
Nuclear fusion reactors operate in extreme and complex physical regimes. Predicting the behavior of these systems is essential for verification and validation, but requires the integration of diverse analysis activities, constrained by domains such as cost and human resources or availability of analysis tools. In this paper, we explore the use of a Multi-Domain Matrix (MDM) to formalize cross-domain aspects in the planning and coordination of such complex analysis campaigns. We represent the engineered system as a matrix of physical effects and the analysis campaign as matrix of activities. From the mapping between these domains, we can identify missing aspects, prioritize activities and derive which critical assumptions. Sequencing the model improves the planning. We apply the proposed method to a diagnostic shutter, a common subsystem in next-generation nuclear fusion reactors. The MDM successfully supports planning of multiple analysis activities, and suggests that it can be expanded to more domains.
Keywords: Multi-Domain Matrix, Systems Engineering, Nuclear Fusion, Project Management, Complexity