westinghouse AP 1000 reactors

Westinghouse AP 1000 reactor

Westinghouse Electric Company ( WEC) is a nuclear power company offering wide range of nuclear products and services to utilities thought the world, including nuclear fuel , service and maintenance, instrumentation and control and advanced nuclear plant design. Fifty years ago Westinghouse helped to build the first nuclear plants in U.S. Today  there are more than 440 nuclear reactors world wide with net generating capacity of more than 368 Giga watts with 30 nuclear projects under construction Westinghouse technology is basis for approximately half of these reactors, giving Westinghouse the world’s  largest installed base for operating plants. Westinghouse world head quarters is located Cranberry township , Pennsylvania in US. Toshiba corporation is its major owner.

Nuclear power is proven safe, plentiful and clean source of power generation Westinghouse Electric Company the pioneer and global leader in nuclear power plant design and construction is ready with the AP 1000 Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR). It is only the generation 111+ reactor design certification from U.S. nuclear regularity commission (NRC).The AP 1000 based on proven performance of Westinghouse designed  PWR s in an advanced 1154 MW e  nuclear power plant that uses forces of nature and simplicity of design  to enhance plant safety and operations and reduce construction cost.

Westinghouse electric co once again sets a new industry standard  with AP 1000TM  reactor. Historically Westinghouse  plant design and technology, have forged the cutting edge of world wide nuclear technology. Today about 50 per cent world’s  440 nuclear plants are based on Westinghouse technology.

AP 1000 is the safest and most economical nuclear power plant available in the world wide commercial market place, and is only the generation 111+  reactor to receive design certification from U.S. nuclear regularity commission. The  AP 1000 features proven technology innovative passive  safety systems  and offers
. Un equaled safety
. Economic competitiveness
. Improved and more efficient   operations
AP 1000 features proven technology of major components used in current Westinghouse -designed plant proven reliable operating experience over 50 years. These components include
. Steam generator
. Digital instrumentation and control.
. Fuel
. Pressurizes
. Reactor vessels

Simplification  was major design objective for AP1000. The simplified plant design includes overall safety systems, normal operating systems the control room, construction techniques , and instrumentation and control systems. The result is plant that is easier and less expensive in operate and maintain.

AP 1000 design saves money and time with accelerated construction time period approximately 36 months, from pouring first concrete to loading of fuel . Also innovative AP 1000 features
. 50 percent fewer safety related valves
. 80 percent less safety related piping
. 85 percent less control cables
. 35 per cent fewer pumps
. 45 per cent seismic building volume

Improved nuclear power plant performances mean more electricity for less money. The AP 1000 reactor has several design features that improve plant production and worker safety.
. Eighteen month fuel cycle for improved availability and reduced overall fuel costs
. Significantly reduced maintenance, staging and testing and inspection requirements
. Reduced radiation exposure and less plant waste
. Sixty year design life .
Operational maintenance

Operating nuclear power plants in U.S. are already competitive  producers of electricity to coal fired pants. This enhanced by the fact that fuel cost accounts for about 25 per cent of production cost for nuclear power ,while remaining 75 per cent of production cost  is the fixed cost of operation and maintenance.  That means that nuclear power production is much less sensitive to changes in fuel costs than fissile fuel proven plants, where fuel costs can account 75 per cent or more the production cost.

And because of the smaller ,simpler plant design the AP 1000 requires less equipment and infrastructure to test and maintain the plant. Lower operating and maintenance requirements also save money in the form of smaller staffs. The selection of proven components ensure a  high degree of reliability to reduce maintenance.Standardization of components reduces spare part inventories, training requirements , and shorter maintenance times are achieved. Additionally built in testing is provided for critical components.

Passive -core cooling system

Power reactors of this general type continue to produce heat from radioactive decay production even after the main reaction is shut down, so it is necessary to remove this heat to avoid melt down of reactor core and possible escape into containment or very unlikely , beyond the containment. In this design Westinghouse’s passive core cooling system (PCCS) use less than twenty explosively operated and DC operated valves which must operate within first 30 minutes. This designed to happen even if reactor operator take no action. The electrical system required for initiating  the passive systems does not rely on external or diesel power and valves don’t rely on hydraulic or compressed air systems.

If the active process to turn on the passive system works on design is intended  to passively remove heat for 72 hours, after which PCCS gravity drain water tank ,must be topped up for as long as cooling is required.

NRC  has questioned the durability of AP 1000 reactor’s shield building in face of severe external events such as earth quakes, hurricane, and airplane collisions. A  U.S. nuclear consultant engineer has criticized the AP 1000 containment design arguing that in case of design basis , accident, it would release radiation, Westinghouse has denied the claim. The NRC anticipates completing the overall design review for AP 1000 around September 2011.