Enec completes major testing at UAE nuclear plant
ABU DHABI, December 17, 2018
The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (Enec) said it has successfully completed cold hydrostatic testing (CHT) at Unit 3 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi.
The testing, which is a crucial step towards the completion of Unit 3 of the four-unit Barakah plant, incorporated the lessons learned from Units 1 and 2 and represents a significant milestone in the development of the UAE Peaceful Nuclear Energy Programme, said a statement from Enec.
Prior to the commencement of CHT, Unit 3’s nuclear steam supply systems were flushed with demineralised water, and the reactor pressure vessel head and reactor coolant pump seals were installed.
During the CHT, the welds, joints, pipes and components of the reactor coolant system and associated high-pressure systems were verified.
As a part of the CHT, the pressure inside Unit 3’s systems was increased to 25 per cent above what will be the normal operating pressure, demonstrating the quality and robust nature of the unit’s construction.
"The successful completion of the CHT ensures that Unit 3’s coolant systems and high-pressure components meet the highest international standards of quality and safety, as per the regulations of the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation," said Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of ENEC.
"I am proud of the progress being made at Barakah, and the completion of these tests approximately one year after the completion of the same testing on Unit 2 demonstrates the experience we have gained from building four identical units at the same time," he added.
Throughout the testing process, inspection teams from Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) along with Enec and Nawah Energy Company (Nawah) commissioning oversight and quality surveillance personnel, performed detailed system inspections, verifying no component and piping system leakage.
Earlier this year, Enec and Kepco successfully completed all major construction work including major concrete pouring, installation of the turbine generator, and the internal components of the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of Unit 3, which paved the way for the commencement of testing and commissioning.
The project at Barakah is progressing steadily and as of the end of October 2018, Unit 3 is more than 86 per cent complete, while overall progress rate of Units 1 to 4 is more than 91 per cent complete, said a statement from Enec.
All four units will deliver, clean, reliable and efficient electricity to the UAE grid, and prevent the release of more than 21 million tons of greenhouse gas emission every year, it stated.-TradeArabia News Service
