By Hao Lulu, Liu Li and Wang Jiwei

Fuqing NPP is CNNC’s first NPP adopting EPC. The plan is to construct six 1000MW units consecutively on the NPP site. At present, Unit 1 & 2 has reached its peak in the installation phase, while Unit 3 has successfully completed the initial concrete stage. Through the on-going construction, CNNC Fuqing Nuclear Power Co., Ltd has attached great importance to supervision and monitoring, and carried out accurate and meticulous management to ensure the site’s constructions.

Fuqing nuclear project has adopted a method of constructing multiple units at the same time. In order to ensure the efficiency of the on-going constructions, Fuqing Nuclear Power Co., Ltd abides by safety and quality first, gives top priority to responsibility and safety, and contributes to the stable supply of clean power, energy saving and emission reduction.

Pay great attention to self-examination of nuclear safety

The year 2011 is unusual for the nuclear industry due to the Fukushima nuclear accident on March 11 it has placed global emphasis on nuclear safety problem issues. Hence, Fuqing Nuclear Power site places paramount importance to its emphasis on nuclear safety.

According to a notice about the nuclear company’s self-examination on nuclear safety which was jointly issued by National Nuclear Safety Administration and National Energy Administration, Fuqing Nuclear Power conducts protocol self-examination in accordance with China’s safety design standard for nuclear power plant. Fuqing NPP is believed to be safe after examining its location, surveyed its effectiveness on environmental monitoring and assessed its emergency systems. The aseismic design of electric and instrument control also complies with related nuclear safety regulations and standards. Additionally, the building structures, systems and equipment designs and manufacturing meet the safety requirements. Lastly, its back-up plan and emergency systems conform to related standards and regulations and ensure the safety of the nuclear power plant.

Improve the ability of inspecting design 

Fuqing Nuclear Power, a pioneer in the EPC model, carries out an overall inspection to all contractors. All contractors should act in accordance with contracts to conduct the design, procurement, construction and trial operation of the project. Fuqing Nuclear Power fully performs the rights of an owner by enlarging the technical reserve in order to guarantee the design quality, and improve the examination ability through technical training. Fuqing Nuclear Power is very strict on any changes in terms of design, procurement or construction standard in order to ensure everything in the NPP meets the requirements of construction standards.

Realize effective management on design improvement

There is much experience and information on M30 at home and abroad. Fuqing NPP takes Lingao PhaseⅠas a reference in regards to its construction and operation. There are a total 84 items need to improve or amend in Unit 1 & 2, 33 of them are critical. For example, it is important to make sure the average hydrogen concentration is below 6%, to adopt voltage stabilizer SEBIM safety valve, extend or remit high-pressure melt through decompression, etc.

Conduct independent inspection to guarantee the quality of design improvement

In order to make sure design institute’s safety analysis and assessment can meet related safety requirement, Fujian Nuclear Power needs to conduct an independent examination and inspection. It invites individuals or groups who are not involved in the safety assessment to do the examination and inspection. On the basis of other NPPs’ experience and taking related safety researches into consideration, Fuqing Nuclear Power examines and analyzes four improvements on the design-namely improvement of filtering and ventilating system in containment, water feeding system in emergency and flammable gas control system as well as enlarging emergency feed water tank. By analyzing and testifying the effectiveness of the design, Fuqing Nuclear Power further ensures the safety of nuclear power plant. The results from the analysis and assessment can be taken as technical reference for future operation. 

Ensure safety in accident

Fuqing NPP sets up several precautionary measures to cope with accidents, and formulates operation rules in an emergency. Fuqing NPP is capable in preventing serious accidents. After extensive study and research, Fuqing NPP takes corresponding remission measures for the important processes in case of a serious accident, such as containment heating, hydrogen explosion, and containment’s rising temperature and pressure. In order to acquire more information after the accident, Fuqing NPP installs a wide-range pressure instrument and makes sure it is usable after the accident.

Analyze probability of safety

As nuclear power plant generates power, it produces radioactive substances. Several safety shields are designed to prevent radioactive substances released into the surrounding environment preventing harm to nuclear power plant personnel and the public, yet it is still possible to have radioactive substances leak out when there is an accident. Hence, Fuqing NPP analyzed and applied the probability theory to assess NPP’s safety level, spot the weak points of NPP in design and operation, and formulate the rule for emergency operation. The safety level and economic benefits were thus, greatly improved.

Monthly and quarterly meetings are held to resolve various issues. Most design problems can be solved at the monthly meetings.  Obstacles deferring project progress can be discussed and solved at the quarterly meetings.

Apart from the above measures, Fuqing Nuclear Power maintains its communication with National Nuclear Safety Administration and the Nuclear & Radioactive Monitoring Station of Ministry of Environmental Protection.  They transfer the requirements on safety to contractors of all levels to ensure the nuclear safety on the construction site is monitored and control.

Source: China Nuclear Energy