Russian Students to Train at a Virtual Oil Refinery
New digital labs with interactive simulators let future engineers practice real refinery operations without leaving the classroom.
A virtual training complex for oil refining and petrochemical students has opened at the Syzran branch of Samara State Technical University. The facility will train specialists in oil and gas processing and chemical technology, using immersive digital tools to simulate real industrial environments.
Four specialized laboratories are equipped with computers and simulators powered by Russian-made software. On these virtual systems, students learn how to safely start up, operate, and shut down refining units, as well as how to respond to emergency scenarios.
In the “Chemical Analysis Technician” lab, trainees conduct advanced experiments—studying catalytic cracking, feedstock pyrolysis, and the synthesis of depressant additives used in fuel production.
Practice in a Digital Plant
A dedicated modeling zone allows students to simulate refinery processes and explore methods for optimizing plant performance. In the operator lab, they can mix liquids and gases virtually, observing the physical and chemical reactions inside the equipment in real time.
Initiatives like this highlight how digital technologies are reshaping technical education in Russia. Career orientation now starts earlier, and hands-on training—once limited to industrial sites—is becoming accessible to students through realistic virtual environments that mirror the complexity of modern energy production.
