China develops key component of world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant

The pressure vessel of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is installed at the Huaneng Shidao Bay nuclear power plant, East China's Shandong province, March 20, 2016. (Xinhua Photo)

Good news has come from China's nuclear power industry: the "nervous system" of the world's first fourth-generation nuclear power plant has been successfully developed by China.

On April 6, the digital control system (DCS) of the world's first commercial high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) nuclear power station passed its final tests and is now ready to be delivered for use. This project was undertaken by Huaneng Shandong Shidao Bay nuclear power plant, in eastern China's Shandong province.

The DCS, one of four key pieces of equipment for a nuclear station, controls more than 300 full systems and nearly 10,000 individual components of a nuclear plant. It therefore plays a critical role in ensuring the safety and stability of nuclear power production.

In many ways, the DCS is similar to the central nervous system of a human being. When the nervous system works smoothly, it produces physical reactions after processing external stimuli.

The soon-to-be-delivered equipment includes a non-safety digital control system (NC-DCS), diversity drive system (DAS), virtual control system (VDCS), and steam turbine digital electro-hydraulic control system (DEH).

The successful development of the HTGR will greatly raise China's capacity in nuclear power plants and boost export. China has already signed agreements with Saudi Arabia and the UAE regarding co-construction of HTGR nuclear power plants.

The pressure vessel of a high-temperature gas-cooled reactor (HTGR) is installed at the Huaneng Shidao Bay nuclear power plant, East China's Shandong province, March 20, 2016. (Xinhua Photo)