[HPR1000 news] CGN ships equipment hatch to Hualong One demonstration project

China Nuclear Power Engineering Co, a subsidiary of China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) transported an equipment hatch on March 28 to Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a Hualong One (HPR1000) demonstration project in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region.

The shipment marked the prompt delivery of three gates for the demonstration project’s first unit -- a personnel airlock, emergency airlock and equipment hatch, the first two having been previously delivered.

The personnel airlock and equipment hatch were the first lock gates independently designed by China Nuclear Power Engineering Co. The company adopted new management methods such as a Configuration Control Phase (CCP) and a Project Risk Advance Notice (PRAN) to assure prompt and high-quality delivery. The completion of the three airlocks will help lay a solid foundation for the first unit’s dome hoisting.

The equipment hatch lies on the reactor containment and provides access to such large equipment as the steam generator in the reactor building during NPP construction and reactor refueling. During reactor operation and accident, the equipment hatch is closed to constitute the third barrier in addition to the reactor containment, preventing radiation leakage.

The personnel airlock, which connects the nuclear island safety building (or fuel building) with the reactor building, provides a channel for personnel and small equipment during the reactor operation or hot shutdown, without damaging the reactor containment’s airtightness.

The equipment hatch for Fangchenggang Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), a Hualong One demonstration project in Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, is ready for delivery.