Westinghouse AP1000 reactors pass first tests in China
DOI: 10.1063/PT.5.029470
World Nuclear News : The containment vessel of the second Westinghouse-designed AP1000 reactor being built in China at the Haiyang nuclear power plant in Shandong has passed its pressurized tests. The tests confirm that the containment vessel meets US and Chinese design and construction specifications. As part of the test, the vessel is pressurized to 110% of its designed operating pressure; in a later test, an accident is simulated to confirm that the reactor will not leak radioactive material into the surrounding area. The first Chinese-built AP1000 reactor at the Sandmen plant in Zhejiang province passed its tests one month ago. Four AP1000 units are under construction in China—two at Sandmen and two at Haiyang. They will all be operational by the end of 2017. An additional four AP1000 reactors are being built in the US, and another three are proposed for the UK.
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Paul Guinnessy, pguinnes@aip.org
