The Qinshan third-stage heavy water nuclear power station, the first of its kind for commercial use in China, successfully conducted its first nuclear steam generation test with the No 1 steam turbine reaching its rated speed, 1500r/min, at 14:48, November 9.
The Japan-made Hitachi turbine set, for the first time, adopts techniques used in BWR conventional island, with blades at a length of 52 inches, the longest in products of the same kind. As a result, the number of low-pressure cylinders was reduced from three to two, with improved thermal cycling efficiency and lowered cost.
The heavy water nuclear power station is a key project in the nation's ninth five-year (1996-2000) plan, as well as the biggest cooperation project between China and Canada. The reactor, with two 728MW-capacity generation units imported from Canada, is designed with an expected life span of 40 years. The project was kicked off on June 8, 1998. The No 1 generation unit is scheduled to be incorporated with the power network and begin to generate this month, and put into full-capacity operation at yearend.
(People's Daily November 11, 2002)
