The Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) recently completed important tests at Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. A spokesman for ENEC said: “This represents another major achievement in the testing and commissioning phase of the plant.”
The structural integrity test (SIT) and integrated leak rate test (ILRT) were performed over a period of several weeks on Unit 1 at Barakah, with the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) providing oversight and conforming to the highest international standards of safety and quality.
Both these tests demonstrate the integrity and robustness of the structure in terms of force and leak tightness, and the structure’s ability to perform safely under normal and extraordinary circumstances.
The SIT evaluates the strength of the reactor containment building (RCB), the structure at the heart of the plant, which houses the reactor and major components, by pressurising and depressurising the building to simulate regular and extraordinary conditions. The ILRT assesses the leak tightness of the containment building under a variety of conditions.
ENEC will complete several more tests on Unit 1 of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant as they prepare it for commissioning and commercial operation. The next major test is hot functional testing (HFT), which is a key test leading up to fuel load.
During HFT, dozens of systems within the reactor are run simultaneously at pressures and temperatures that simulate full operation. This testing demonstrates that the systems necessary for making and moving steam operate as designed.
“We have maintained our track record of safety and quality with the completion of the SIT and ILRT. The commissioning phase of a nuclear energy plant is a critical step towards the first fuel load. Before loading the fuel, it is essential that the plant is tested under the highest standards of safety, security and quality,” said Mohamed Al Hammadi, ENEC CEO.
Al Hammadi continued: “With the completion of these tests on Unit 1, we are moving closer to achieving our goal of supplying up to a quarter of our nation’s electricity needs with low-carbon, sustainable nuclear energy. Our work at Barakah continues to support the UAE’s energy mix strategy as well as the future social and economic growth of the UAE”
The results of both tests show that the RCB can perform its primary function – to contain radiation and prevent any radioactive release into the environment – under normal operation conditions as well as emergencies and extraordinary events. The tests also show that the RCB was constructed in accordance with the highest international safety standards.
ENEC’s teams worked closely with Korea Electric Power Corporation (Kepco) and FANR, throughout the testing process. The testing is part of the commissioning phase. Other recent commissioning milestones completed safely and successfully on Unit 1 include reactor systems flushing, turbine lube oil flushing and cold hydrostatic testing, which verified that the reactor coolant system and other associated systems met FANR’s regulations.
The project at Barakah is progressing steadily. Unit 1 is now 88 per cent complete, Unit 2 is 72 per cent complete, Unit 3 is 50 per cent complete and Unit 4 is 31 per cent complete. Overall, construction of Units 1 to 4 is now more than 65 per cent complete.
All four units will deliver safe, clean, reliable and efficient nuclear energy to the UAE grid, pending regulatory reviews and licensing. When the four reactors are completed, the UAE’s peaceful nuclear energy programme will provide approximately 25 per cent of the UAE’s electricity needs and save up to 12 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year.
Top Image: Construction of UAE’s first nuclear power plant at the Barakah site. (Photo: L. Potterton, IAEA)
About the Author
Neil Wallington is a former British Chief Fire Officer, a Past International President of the Institution of Fire Engineers, and a holder of the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. He is the author of 17 books on the work of the fire service, and acts as a consultant with extensive experience in the Gulf on a range of projects.
