September-October 2018 NPJ

10 NuclearPlantJournal.com Nuclear Plant Journal, September-October 2018 New Energy Tianwan 4 The 163rd batch of fuel components of Unit 4 of Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant, run by China National Nuclear Corporation , was stably loaded in the designated position of the reactor core on September 2, 2018. It marked the successful completion of the first fuel loading task of Unit 4, laying the foundation for the subsequent commissioning and production. Contact: China National Nuclear Corporation, telephone: 86-10- 68512211, fax: 86-10-68533989 website: en.cnnc.com.cn Novovoronezh 2 On September 1, 2018 at No 2 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 (No 7 of NVNPP) specialists proceeded to the final large stage of pre-commissioning work before the physical start-up – the hot phase of the cold and hot trial (CHT) of equipment that has to prove the working parameters of the main and auxiliary equipment and systems of the reactor unit from design mode. This is the most important stage of pre-commissioning work that precedes the physical start-up of the power unit; it confirms its reliable and safe operation. Cold and hot trial started on August 1, 2018. At the cold stage phase of the CHT, specialists already carried out 68 heat and hydraulic tests of systems and equipment of the power unit. The next step - a small revision of the main equipment – was carried out for 15 days. Thermal insulation application and equipment preparation for pre-commissioning work of the hot phase of CHT were completed. “During the period of the hot trial, we plan to carry out 144 tests with hot water”, the Deputy Chief Engineer for construction of new power units Vladimir Kazansky said. “According to the schedule of the pre-commissioning works, the hot trial will last for 50 days. During this period of time, specialists will test four main circulating pumps at hot parameters (the coolant temperature is 280ºC and pressure is 16.0 MPa), check the auxiliary power, blow the main steam pipes with its own steam, and carry out complex trials of the safety systems, reactor control and protection system. Partial fulfillment of the trials will allow proving that the power unit will be reliable and safe during the whole period of operation.” Thus, the successful implementation of cold and hot trial of the equipment will mean the completion of one of the final stages before the preparation for the physical start-up of the 2nd innovative power unit of Generation 3+ of Novovoronezh NPP. The innovative power units of Generation 3+ have the improved technical and economical parameters that provide absolute security during operation. They are designed with usage of the most advanced achievements and developments. The main features of VVER-1200 design is its unique combination of active and passive safety systems that make the plant extremely sustainable to the external and internal disturbances. The specific characteristic of passive systems is their ability to work during power supply failure and without an operator. In particular, the power unit with VVER-1200 reactor uses: melt trap – the equipment that serves for the localization of the reactor core melt; passive heat removal system (PHRS) designed to provide the longtime heat transfer from the reactor core into the atmosphere in case of all sources of electric supply failure. Contact: Rosenergoatom , telephone: 7 (495) 647-41-89, website: www.rosenergoatom.ru/en/ Mochovce 3 Slovenské elektrárne sucessfully completed the cold hydraulic test of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant Unit 3. It was the first comprehensive testing, when reactor systems were operated for the first time together with auxiliary systems. The cold hydrotest is one of the crucial parts of the plant commissioning process. Testing started in mid-July 2018 and took 38 days. The main objective of the cold hydrotest was to demonstrate leak-tightness of plant systems and components such as pressure vessels, pipelines and valves of both the nuclear and conventional island and to clean main circulation pipes. The primary circuit during the test was pressurized to 13.7 MPa (that is over 111 % of the operating pressure) and heated up to 120°C. Consequently, steam generators were tested from the secondary circuit side, as well as feedwater and live steam pipelines at the pressure of up to 7.65 MPa (166 % of operating pressure). The cold hydro tested all reactor coolant pumps of the primary circuit, main feedwater pumps of the secondary circuit, steam generators, pipelines, pumps and other components of the primary and secondary circuits, including operation of a number of auxiliary systems. All components such as pipelines, valves, welds, and flange joints had to be inspected at exactly defined pressures. Important part of testing included the tightness test of the nuclear island containment that is made of up to 1.5 m (4.9 feet) thick reinforced concrete walls. Mochovce Units 3&4 have an evolutionary design based on the pressurised water reactor VVER-440 V-213 with safety upgrades that make the power plant compliant with current stringent national and international nuclear safety requirements. Contact: Slovenské elektrárne, telephone: 421 2 5866 1111, fax: 421 2 5341 7525, email: info@seas.sk , website: www.seas.sk Hualong One The pressure vessel for the Chinese- designed Hualong One reactor under construction as unit 3 of Pakistan’s Karachi nuclear power plant has been hoisted into place. The component was put into place within the unit’s reactor, China National Nuclear Corporation announced. It said the milestone marked the unit’s entry into the “full installation phase of key components”. The pressure vessel was independently designed by China Nuclear Power Research & Design Institute and was produced by China First Heavy Machinery Company Limited. The installation of the pressure vessel followed that of the unit’s three (Continued on page 12)