Drilling Simulator Celle - A Hardware in the Loop Concept for Research

摘要

Simulators are commonly used to describe an accurate mathematical reproduction of related processes that may include attached hardware for proper replication with the purpose of testing, validating and/or monitoring a real event. It is common to use mathematics to describe physical processes and then to check the validity of the model using extensive laboratory experiments. Laboratory experiments are generally performed on special setups that allow repeatability and high accuracy. Once a model has been validated the need for physical experiments decreases. Millheim [1] provided a new definition for simulators used by the drilling industry, saying that "a simulator is a device or piece of equipment that replicates some physical process or operations to an acceptable level of fidelity. However the simulation is not linked to the equipment and is the numerical or logical replication of some processes, operations, or phenomenon." Today, the "Hardware in the Loop" concept has expanded Millheim's definition by adding full- scale equipment to the simulators. The Norwegian standardization foundation DNV (DET NORSKE VERITAS) has issued a new definition for the "Hardware in the Loop" concept (HiL) with applications to the drilling industry: "HiL simulator: A real- time simulator constructed by hardware and software, which is configured for the control system under consideration and interfaced to the target system or component through appropriate I/O. During testing with a HIL simulator the target system or component will not experience significant difference from being connected to the real system" (DNV Standard for Certification No. 2.24, July 2011).