Nuclear News Weekly Roundup - 05/28 - 06/01
Progress on Tianwan Unit 6’s Equipment Production and Civil Construction
On May 25th, Tianwan Unit 6’s pressure vessel passed hydraulic testing and is one step closer to final delivery. Designed and procured by Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC), the pressure vessel is manufactured by China First Heavy Industries (CFHI). Representatives from the NNSA, Jiangsu Nuclear Power Company, NPIC, and CFHI witnessed the success of the hydraulic test.
On May 29th, Unit 6 finished pouring concrete for the CI turbine operating floor. It paves the way for subsequent work on equipment installation. The operating floor has a length of 68 meters and a width of 17.8 meters and the primary beam is 4-meter thick. A volume of 1911 m³concrete was poured in 19 hours and 37 minutes. Tianwan Units 5 & 6 are the last two Gen II (M310) units under construction in China.
Karachi Unit 3’s Pressure Vessel Shipped to Pakistan
On May 22nd, the pressure vessel of Karachi Unit 3, the second HPR1000 export to Pakistan, passed the pre-shipping inspection at China First Heavy Industries Company (CFHI) and was shipped to site. The pressure vessel is a proprietary design of NPIC that was ordered by the newly-established CNNC Supply Chain Management Company, and manufactured by CFHI.
As the only non-replaceable piece of primary equipment within a NPP, the design & manufacture of the RPV represents a significant technological challenge. The self-developed pressure vessel for HPR1000 has many innovative design features, which include improvements for safety and reliability. It has only been 9 months after shipping of the pressure vessel for Karachi Unit 2 in August 2018, indicating a progress of China nuclear industry to manufacture nuclear equipment in scale.
Taishan Unit 1 Reaching First Criticality
The NNSA organized an inspection of Taishan NPP’s preparatory work for Unit 1’s first criticality from May 22nd to 25th. The NNSA concluded that Taishan Unit 1 satisfied the requirements to release hold point for first criticality and proceed with reactor start up.
The Nuclear Power Institute of China (NPIC) Obtained HAF 601 Certificate
NPIC obtained its first HAF 601 manufacturing certificate for small reactor once-through steam generators (OTSG). NPIC now holds a relatively comprehensive certification scope and is well-positioned for the design and manufacture of civil nuclear safety machinery, electrical equipment, as well as the inspection of civil nuclear safety equipment.
NPIC and CNNC’s SUFA Valve Company Sign NPP Pilot Safety Valve Joint R&D Agreement
The Vice Director of the Nuclear Power Institute and Vice President of the Suzhou Valve Company recently formally signed a joint development agreement for the development of new cutting-edge safety valve technology for nuclear power plants. The signing of the agreement marks an important step forward in the cooperation between the two companies.
Taihai Manoir and SNERDI Work Together to Develop Super Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes and Fittings
On the evening of May 31st, Taihai Manoir Nuclear Equipment Company announced that the company recently received a contract for a research sub-task of a Key National Project. The contract was awarded by the Shanghai Nuclear Engineering Research and Design Institute (SNERDI) for “the localization of super austenitic stainless steel pipes and fittings for sea water intake systems of nuclear power plants.”