At the demonstration ACP-100 small modular reactor (SMR) being built at China’s Changjiang NPP site in Hainan Province, a turbine unit has been tested using external steam without the use of nuclear fuel, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) has reported. The multi-purpose 125 MWe SMR (also known as Linglong One) is a pressurised water reactor designed for electricity generation, urban heating, urban cooling, industrial steam production, or seawater desalination.
During the tests, all systems worked stably, and the turbogenerator reached its design parameters. This stage is considered a most important milestone representing a comprehensive check of the functioning of the equipment before loading fuel.
CNNC began development of the Linglong One in 2010, and it was the first SMR project to pass an independent safety assessment by International Atomic Energy Agency experts in 2016. Its integrated pressurised water reactor (PWR) design was completed in 2014 and it was identified as a key project in China’s 12th Five-Year Plan. The design, which has 57 fuel assemblies and integral steam generators, was developed from the larger ACP1000 PWR. It incorporates passive safety features and could be installed underground.
CNNC formally launched the project in 2019. China’s state council approved the ACP100 Science & Technology Demonstration Project in 2021 and first concrete was poured in July that year. The lower section of the containment shell of was hoisted into place on in February 2022 and the last tank of concrete for the nuclear island’s underground retaining walls was poured the following August.
Work on the installation of equipment began in December 2022, and the main internal design of the reactor building was completed in March 2023. The outer containment dome was installed in February 2024. Once completed, the project will produce enough power to meet the needs of 526,000 households, CNNC said. In 2016, the ACP100 project became the first SMR to pass the IAEA safety review.
There are already two active CNP-600 water under pressure (PWR) reactors on the site, and the construction of two Hualong One blocks began in March and December 2021. Both units should be put into commercial operation by the end of 2026.
