CNEC Completes Welding of Main Pipelines for Unit 1 of Sanmen Nuclear Power Station

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources China (Beijing, China)--China Nuclear Industry Fifth Construction Company Limited (CNEC5) (Shanghai), a subsidiary of China Nuclear Engineering Construction Corporation (CNEC) (Beijing), completed the welding for the hot end of the steam generator on Ring A of the main pipeline on April 7, 2013. The welding of the main pipelines for Unit 1 of China National Nuclear Corporation's (CNNC) (Beijing) Sanmen Nuclear Power Station is now complete, according to an announcement from the CNEC on April 11.

Erection of the main pipeline is one of the most important steps in the construction of the main coolant system for the AP1000-based unit. As reported, machining of the main pipeline for Unit 1 kicked off on October 5, 2012, and erection of the main pipeline kicked off on October 22. During the erection, advanced processing technologies, such as laser tracing measurement, 3D modeling and digital control, have been introduced. Advanced remote control narrow gap automatic welding also has been adopted. Through the active cooperation of main pipeline erection team, the construction safety and construction quality of the main pipeline are all under control, which have created an important support for erection of the entire main coolant system.

The Sanmen Nuclear Power Plant, located in Sanmen of East China's Zhejiang province, is one of two self-reliant support projects for the localization of Westinghouse's AP1000 third-generation nuclear power technology in China. The power plant has a total planned capacity of six 1,250-megawatt (MW) nuclear power units to be built in three phases, of which two AP1000-based nuclear power units are to be built in Phase I. State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) (Beijing) is serving as the general contractor on the project.

Construction of the nuclear island for Unit 1 kicked off in March 2009. Concrete placing for the conventional island of Unit 1 was completed on January 28, 2011. The plant service power supply for the nuclear island and conventional island of Unit 1 was energized on March 28, 2013. According to the schedule, Unit 1 of the project is expected to begin operations in November 2013.

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