Containment tests completed at Lufeng unit 5

The two-part tests, which began on 29 August, confirm that the containment vessel meets design and construction quality requirements. The first part - the structural integrity test - involved the vessel being pressurised and monitored to confirm that its design and construction meet all applicable industry codes and standards at 110% of design pressure. The vessel was then pressurised to design pressure (0.420 MPa) and the integrated leak rate test was performed to demonstrate its ability to prevent the release of radioactive materials in the event of an emergency.

During the containment pressure test, the containment leakage is checked through the acoustic leak detection test, and the changes in the containment structure performance are monitored through internal visual inspection and external visual inspection tests.

All test results met the design requirements and relevant specifications.

"The successful completion of this test not only verified the structural strength and sealing performance of the containment, but also laid a solid foundation for the smooth progress of subsequent engineering work and the stable operation of the unit," China General Nuclear (CGN) said.

Background

The Lufeng nuclear power plant is the first nuclear power project in eastern Guangdong Province. The proposed construction of four 1250 MWe CAP1000 reactors (units 1-4) at the Lufeng site was approved by China's National Development and Reform Commission in September 2014.

The Lufeng units have not been built in the numerical order their names would appear to suggest.

In April 2022, the State Council approved construction of two Hualong One units at Lufeng as units 5 and 6. First concrete was poured for unit 5 on 8 September 2022 and that for unit 6 on 26 August 2023. Units 5 and 6 are expected to begin operating in 2027 and 2028, respectively.

The construction of units 1 and 2 did not receive State Council approval until August 2024. The first safety-related concrete for the nuclear island of unit 1 was poured in February last year, with that of unit 2 following in December. Both units are scheduled to begin operating in 2030. Approval for units 3 and 4 is still pending.

According to CGN, once all six units are in operation, the Lufeng plant will generate about 52 TWh, which will reduce standard coal consumption by almost 16 million tonnes and reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 42 million tonnes.