Cover News reporter Bian Xue

On April 16, Cover News learned from CNNC that the first main pump of the global first land-based commercial modular small reactor - the "Linglong No.1" demonstration project of multi-purpose modular small reactor technology in Hainan Province successfully arrived at its location. This is of great significance to consolidate China's leading advantage in international competition of small reactors and form an advanced brand of modular small reactors in China, providing strong support for subsequent key nodes such as cold test of the project.

"Linglong No.1" is the first land-based commercial modular small reactor to pass the International Atomic Energy Agency's safety review. It is a major breakthrough in China's independent innovation in nuclear power. The "Linglong No.1" demonstration project has been praised by IAEA Director General Grossi as "a benchmark for the development of small reactors worldwide."

"Linglong No.1" also has a very powerful nickname - the "mobile power bank" in the field of nuclear energy.

Main pump hoisting. (Photo courtesy of the interviewee)

"Our developed small reactor has a smaller power output and occupies less area compared to large reactors. Due to its smaller size and flexible selection, it can be placed where users need it. Therefore, conceptually, it is flexible and offers a wide range of selectable sites, so it is also called a mobile power bank." Song Danrong, the chief designer of "Linglong No.1" and the chief designer of China Nuclear Power and Design Institute explained to Cover News.

The main pump of "Linglong No.1" is a single-speed vertical fully sealed pump with high safety, full sealing, and long life characteristics, providing stable cooling flow for the reactor system. It is a key equipment in the primary circuit of the reactor and is known as the "heart" of the reactor coolant system.

Compared to large pressurized water reactors, Linglong No.1 is smaller in volume and occupies less area. Its smaller power and volume are suitable for more application scenarios.

"In addition to nuclear power generation, there is also a broad market demand for small reactors in non-electric fields, including industrial process steam, regional heating, seawater desalination, etc. Moreover, it can also be applied to inland areas, islands, and offshore oil and gas drilling platforms to supply electricity, steam, and heat." Song Danrong told Cover News that currently, the team has developed a floating nuclear power plant. After the demonstration on land is completed, the small reactor can be installed on a floating platform. In coastal areas, it can pull the small reactor to where it is needed to provide electricity to residents or power and steam for industries and enterprises, truly realizing the role of a mobile power bank.

Each Linglong No.1 unit has a power generation capacity of 125,000 kilowatts, with an annual power generation capacity of up to 1 billion kilowatt-hours, meeting the needs of 526,000 households. Assuming three people per household, it can be used by over 1 million people, equivalent to reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 880,000 tons and planting 7.5 million trees.

Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7493887357003891209/

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