Interactive Simulation Systems for Industrial Equipment - Supporting System Verification Through Interactive Information Visualization

Abstract

Industrial process systems rely on precise level measurements to run safely and profitably. To verify that these measuring instruments work correctly under realistic conditions, engineers use simulation setups like the Interactive Plant Environment (IPE). However, exploring the massive amounts of live data generated during these tests is difficult without specialized tools. The primary purpose of this project is to answer how interactive simulation systems should be designed to support system verification. To investigate this, a prototype interface was developed to allow test engineers to easily run automated scripts, control the system manually, and analyze real-time data. Using a Research through Design (RtD) approach and the Double Diamond process, the project started with semi-structured interviews to understand the daily work flows and frustrations of expert test engineers. Insights from this pre-study indicated that standard usability checklists are insufficient for live industrial environments. By combining these empirical findings with foundational Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) principles and Information Visualization (InfoVis) theory, the project introduces a set of custom design guidelines: spatial fidelity and dynamic state mapping, flexible test control, stable views for live data, clear error handling, proactive input validation and defensive safety nets, and data filtering. Based on these guidelines, a functional web application prototype was built featuring visual tank models, live data plotting, and seamless switching between automated and manual execution. A heuristic evaluation of the prototype suggested that the interface supports expert test engineers by reducing cognitive load through visual metaphors and maintaining stable views during live data inspection. While the prototype managed complex testing scenarios, it also exposed vulnerabilities regarding conflicting commands and unguided error recovery, which directly resulted in refining and expanding the guidelines. Ultimately, this project proposes a set of domain-specific guidelines that can assist designers and developers in building interactive simulation and verification systems for similar industrial contexts.