Education and Training Using Digital Twin in Hazardous Chemical Manufacturing Plants

Abstract: Manufacturing industries face significant challenges in equipping new employees with the requisite skills to operate complex machinery, especially in hazardous sectors like chemical engineering. Traditional on-the-job training poses substantial risks and is limited by space and budget constraints, making it difficult for educational institutions to replicate industrial environments adequately. The acquisition and customization of equipment to meet diverse industry demands are prohibitively expensive, exacerbating these challenges. In response, Digital Twin technology offers an innovative solution. By creating virtual replicas of physical environments, Digital Twins provide a virtually boundless digital space at minimal operational costs. This technology enables avatar-based interaction and collaboration, bridging the gap between theoretical learning and practical industry practice. New employees and students gain immersive experiences that facilitate a nuanced understanding of complex industrial systems, ensuring a smoother transition into real-world work environments. This paper delves into existing theories and literature on Digital Twin technology, focusing on its implications for education and training. We introduce DTLAB, a bespoke digital twin framework tailored for hazardous chemical manufacturing plants. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies, including Virtual Reality (VR), the Internet of Things (IoT), Robotics, Data Technologies (DT), and an AI Virtual Chat-GPT Trainer (AIVCGT), DTLAB creates a hyper-realistic training environment. Participants engage with virtual replicas of chemical plants, benefiting from seamless data exchange between physical and virtual workspaces. Additionally, we employ the AIVCGT approach to evaluate users' learning efficiency and engagement levels within digital twin simulations. This research highlights the potential of Digital Twin technology to transform educational practices, empowering individuals to thrive in an increasingly complex industrial landscape.

Keywords: Digital Twin, Hazardous manufacturing, Education and training

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005762

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