The Nuclear Industry China Expo 2014, held 15-18 April at Beijing’s International Exhibition Centre, showed off major developments in the hottest nuclear market in the world.

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Hualong 1 reactor model

All of the major nuclear players were in attendance at the Nuclear Industry China Expo 2014, and the favourite accessory on the glamorous stands on show were 3D cutaway models of reactors; some completed, others under construction, others only planned. Generally the models were not overly complex, but had lots of vivid colour and lighting effects.

Below are the some of the best.

Hualong 1

Hualong 1 reactor model

Hualong 1 (above), which according to developers China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and China General Nuclear Power (CGN), ‘fully draws on passive safety features of generation 3’.

The three loop, 1000 MWe reactor has been designed for export. Emergency features include a high-mounted water-tank-based heat exchanger for emergency reactor cooling, plus an emergency core spray and other water injection systems. Shown on the CNNC stand.

China Experimental Fast Reactor

CEFR stands for China Experimental Fast Reactor. Exhibition boards say that a 600 MWe reactor is under independent research & development at CNNC.

Sandwiched between reactor building and turbine hall is a seven-storey process building. Started generating power in 2011, at a China Institute of Atomic Energy site near Beijing. The 65 MW reactor is a sodium-cooled, pool-type reactor. Shown on the CNNC stand.

ACPR-100

ACPR-100 reactor model

CGN’s ACPR-100 appears to be an integral SMR and is planned for Putian.

R&D is completed; the Ministry of Environmental Protection said that it meets requirements; it is ready for commencement, according to CGN. There is also a marine version: the ACP100S.

HTR-PM

On Huaneng’s stand was the HTR-PM. Colour-coded flows in the HTR-PM currently under construction (civil works are apparently out of the ground) at Shidaowan. The helium-cooled pebble-bed core is at the centre, with steam generator at low flank.

CAP1400

CAP1400 reactor model

The CAP1400 demonstration project, a domestic evolution of the AP1000 collaboration, is due to pour first nuclear concrete in 2014, following preliminary design approval in January 2014. The 1530 MWe reactor has a 50-month construction period, 18-month refuelling cycle, core damage frequency <1×10^-6 reactor-year and large early release frequency of <1×10^-7 reactor-year.

CAP1400 is a two-loop configuration with two cold legs per loop. Innovations claimed include a redesigned containment vessel, increase from 157 to 193 fuel assemblies in core, redesigned steam generators, redesigned primary pipework and RPV.

Shown on the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation (SNPTC) stand.

AP1000

China Power Investment Corporation (CPI) showed several small AP1000 models; in this one a steam generator being changed. CPI has a stake in Haiyang, Shandong province, currently under construction.

IHNI-1 for medial uses

IHNI-1 reactor

The IHNI-1 is a 30kW medical reactor with 12.5% U-235 core of 302 fuel rods, light water as coolant and moderator, and beryllium as reflector. Fission heat removed by convection.

The INHI-1 is based on China Miniature Neutron Source Reactor design. I thermal neutron beam for boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) for treatment of brain tumours. One side has a thermal neutron beam; the other has an epithermal neutron beam. Facility went critical in 2009 at CIAE site.


By Will Dalrymple, editor of Nuclear Engineering International magazine. Follow Will Dalrymple on Google+