China has reached a significant milestone in the field of nuclear energy with the successful commissioning of its first industrial-use nuclear energy steam supply project.
Located at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in Jiangsu province, this project will provide steam to a nearby petrochemical plant, marking a new era for the country’s comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy.
Collaborative Development for Industrial Steam Supply
The Heqi-1 project, as it is known, was jointly developed by Jiangsu Nuclear Power Company, a subsidiary of China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), and the Lianyungang Petrochemical Industry Base. It represents a groundbreaking collaboration between the nuclear and petrochemical industries in China.
The project utilizes steam extracted from the secondary circuits of Tianwan’s units 3 and 4, which are Russian-supplied VVER-1000 reactors.
After undergoing multi-stage heat exchange, this industrial superheated steam is then transported via an insulated above-ground pipeline to the Lianyungang Petrochemical Industrial Base for utilization in various industrial processes.
Construction Timeline and Steam Supply Capacity
The construction of the project began in February 2022 with the pile foundation, and the first concrete for the industrial steam facility was poured in May 2022.
The Tianwan plant is equipped with four steam conversion devices, capable of delivering a rated flow rate of 600 tonnes of steam per hour at a pressure of 1.8 MPa.
The project boasts a long-distance steam supply main line spanning approximately 23 kilometers, connecting the Tianwan nuclear power plant to the Xuwei Petrochemical Industrial Park. This extensive pipeline network ensures a reliable and efficient delivery of steam to the industrial base.
Significant Environmental Benefits
The Heqi-1 project is projected to supply a substantial 4.8 million tonnes of steam annually. This will lead to a significant reduction in the consumption of standard coal, estimated at 400,000 tonnes per year.
Furthermore, the project is expected to achieve a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 1.07 million tonnes, along with reductions in sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides emissions.
CNNC, the project’s developer, highlights that the commencement of this steam project signifies a broadening of China’s use of nuclear energy. It expands beyond electricity generation and district heating to encompass industrial steam supply, showcasing the versatility and potential of nuclear energy in various sectors.