Barakah containment building passes tests

Tests to evaluate the strength and leak tightness of the containment building at the United Arab Emirates' first nuclear unit at Barakah have been completed successfully. The structural integrity test and the integrated leak rate test, which together demonstrate the integrity and robustness of the structure and its ability to perform under normal and extraordinary circumstances, took several weeks to complete.

The tests were carried out under the full oversight of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation. The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) has also worked closely with prime contractor Korea Electric Power Corporation throughout the test process.

The structural integrity test evaluates the strength of the reactor containment building by pressurizing and depressurizing it to simulate a variety of conditions, while the leak rate test evaluates its leak tightness under different conditions. The test results show the building, which houses the reactor and major components, can perform its primary function of containing radiation under normal operating conditions as well as in emergencies or other extraordinary events. Enec said results also showed that the building was constructed in accordance with international safety standards and exceeded expectations.

Enec CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi said the company had maintained its "track record" of safety and quality with the completion of the tests. "The commissioning phase of a nuclear energy plant is a critical step towards the first fuel load. Before loading the fuel it is essential that the plant is tested under the highest standards of safety, security and quality," he said.

The Barakah nuclear power plant, about 50 km from the town of Ruwais, will be home to four Korean-designed APR-1400 pressurized water reactors which are expected to provide about 25% of the country's electricity. Construction of Barakah 1 began in 2012 and is now 88% complete. Unit 2 is 72% complete, unit 3 is 30% complete and unit 4 is 31%, Enec said. Unit 1 is scheduled to start up in 2017, with the other units following at yearly intervals.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News