Containment tests completed at Fuqing 3

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Containment pressure tests have been successfully completed at unit 3 of the Fuqing nuclear power plant in China's Fujian province.

Workers conducting tests on Fuqing 3's containment (Image: CNNC)

A series of tests to demonstrate that the containment building, which houses the reactor primary circuit, is leak-tight and pressure-resistant were completed on 6 August, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) announced today.

Analysis of strength tests showed changes in the parameters of the containment structure within the scope of the acceptance criteria, while tightness tests showed the leak rate also met the required criteria, CNNC said.

The company said, "The trial is the first large-scale comprehensive test on the nuclear island of unit 3, and the success of the test verifies the integrity and reliability of the unit's safety barrier, guaranteeing the safe operation of unit 3."

CNNC's Fuqing plant will eventually house six Chinese-designed PWRs, the first four being 1087 MWe CPR-1000 pressurized water reactors. Unit 1 started up in July 2014, was connected to the grid the following month and entered commercial operation in November. Unit 2 achieved first criticality last month and is expected to enter commercial operation later this year.

Ground was broken in June 2009 for Fuqing unit 3 and 4. Unit 3 should begin operation in late-2015, while unit 4 is scheduled to start up in 2017.

China's State Council gave final approval for construction of Fuqing units 5 and 6 in mid-April. First concrete was poured for the fifth unit in May. This will be a demonstration indigenously-designed Hualong One reactor.

Researched and written
by World Nuclear News