The World's First AP1000 Nuclear Bursting Valve Completes Final Hydrostatic Test

Summary of contents: On the morning of February 14th, Eastern Time, the world's first AP1000 reactor-type blasting valve used in nuclear power plants successfully completed the final water pressure test. The officials of the North China Station of the National Nuclear Safety Administration and the officials of the NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission attended the testimony. This important moment.

The AP1000 Burst Valve is the first to introduce nuclear safety equipment for PWR nuclear power plant units. There are a total of 12 single units, and the 4th stage automatic pressure reduction subsystem, low pressure safety injection loop and containment recirculation loop for the automatic pressure reduction system. . The blasting valve is driven by gunpowder. The igniter on the driving device is ignited by an electric signal, and the gunpowder in the cartridge is detonated. The energy generated by the bursting valve breaks the tensioning bolt of the fixed piston, and the piston rapidly descends to seal the valve at the flow channel. The cover is cut off and the valve opens. During normal operation, the burst valve is closed and the valve opens during an accident. The action process is irreversible. After each action, all the internal parts of the valve must be removed for inspection and replacement.

The US NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission identified blasting valves as key equipment for the AP1000 passive technology. For pre-service testing and in-service supervision and inspection, the NRC proposed many specific requirements to the owners of the nuclear power plants. These requirements will be used as the owner to obtain the power plant operating license. One of the conditions. From February 13 to February 17, 2012, seven supervisors of the NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission supervised and inspected the blast valve manufacturer SPX. The inspection results were generally satisfactory.

The supervisor of the North China Station of the National Nuclear Safety Administration of the United States was invited by the US NRC Nuclear Regulatory Commission as an observer to participate in the NRC audit activities and witnessed the final hydrostatic pressure test of the AP1000 first blast valve.

After the final hydraulic pressure test of the first blasting valve is completed, the final assembly and testing of the remaining blasting valves will be carried out one after another.