China Nuclear Power Project: Key component of project enters installation stage

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A reactor pressure vessel of the Hualong One nuclear power project is being installed. The unit is the first nuclear unit employing China's own third generation reactor design. CGTN's has the story.

This is the reactor pressure vessel for the No. 5 unit of the Hualong One nuclear power project. The project at the Fuqing Nuclear Power Plant is in southeast China's Fujian Province. Hualong One belongs to the third generation of China-designed reactors. The entire hoisting operation for the 300-ton pressure vessel is expected to last 10 hours.

CHEN GUOCAI MANAGER, FUQING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT "The pressure vessel is the heart of the reactor plant. With the installation of the heart, it means the installation of the key components begins."

Unlike with other parts, the installation of the pressure vessel must be completed in an uninterrupted process. And it has to be placed just right.

ZHOU SAIJUN DEPUTY CHIEF ENGINEER, FUQING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT "There are six small 'ears' on the pressure vessel, which can be fixed into the six grooves of the back-up ring. They allow the pressure vessel to be fixed into the back-up ring steadily and firmly."

The reactor pressure vessel is the only non-replaceable part in the nuclear power plant. It's critical to safety.

LEI ZIWANG, ENGINEER FUQING NUCLEAR POWER ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT OFFICE "The pressure vessel is used to contain reaction fuels. It's made of low-alloy steel and stainless steel, which can effectively block nuclear radiation. The thickest part of the vessel is 220 millimeters, and it's 168 millimeters at the bottom to contain nuclear radiation effectively."

The plant is scheduled to be put into commercial use in 2020.

CHEN GUOCAI MANAGER, FUQING NUCLEAR POWER PLANT "We will enter the testing and debugging stage in 2019. It's estimated to take about a year. We will be ready to generate electricity in 2020."

Domestic innovative nuclear power technology is the foundation for Hualong One. The security level surpasses existing technology. Argentina, the UK and few other countries have shown interest. CGTN.