World's 1st commercial small nuclear reactor core successfully installed

The core module of the world's first commercial small modular reactor (SMR), Linglong One, was successfully installed on Thursday in South China's Hainan province.

The core module of the reactor Linglong One is lifted and moved towards its nuclear island at Changjiang nuclear power plant in South China's Hainan province, Aug. 10, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]

The core module of China's Linglong One, the world's first commercial small modular reactor (SMR) demonstration project, was successfully installed on Thursday in South China's Hainan province.

The installation at the nuclear island, the heart of the nuclear power plant where the reactor and other major facilities are located, marks a significant advancement in the construction of the reactor, bringing it to a crucial stage of completion.

This milestone marks a critical juncture in Linglong One's nuclear island equipment installation – a project that is pioneering the modular manufacturing and installation of nuclear reactors. Representing a global debut for the miniaturization of nuclear energy, this step is historic and places China at the forefront of small modular reactor construction technology.

The core module of the multi-purpose, small modular pressurized water reactor is known as "the heart of Linglong One". It integrates critical equipment, including the pressure vessel, steam generators and primary pump nozzles into one unit, eliminating the need for the main pipeline. Notably, the steam generators are built into the pressure vessel, with the welding being completed in factory prior to the installation.

The welding and assembly, which integrate the nuclear power plant's metaphorical "lungs" and "heart," is the most challenging aspect of the project. It's a striking example of the "factory prefabrication, modular manufacturing" approach to the nuclear power equipment construction.

Linglong One is self-developed by the China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) and owned and operated by Hainan Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., affiliated with CNNC. The design and construction of the reactor are revolutionary and groundbreaking. Its most prominent feature is modular construction, achieved through standardized design, single-module production and mass production, which shortens construction time and reduces costs while improving safety.

The small modular reactor's simplified system and reduced equipment size facilitate more convenience for transportation and operation. This allows for flexible adjustments and construction according to clients' needs, yielding significant economic benefits.

When commissioned, Linglong One is projected to generate up to 1 billion kilowatt hours of electricity per year, sufficient to meet the needs of 526,000 households in Hainan. This will help cut carbon dioxide emissions by 880,000 metric tons per year, equivalent to planting 7.5 million trees annually.

The stable and reliable clean energy provided by Linglong One will not only aid China in reaching peak carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, but also foster global nuclear energy development through the demonstration of advanced reactor technology. It will further contribute to the construction of a "clean energy island" in Hainan.

The core module of the reactor Linglong One is lifted and moved towards its nuclear island at Changjiang nuclear power plant in South China's Hainan province, Aug. 10, 2023. [Photo provided to China.org.cn]