Shin Ulchin Nuclear Power Plants 1&2: Hydraulic verification of the cooling water system
Korea Electric Power Corporation Engineering & Construction Co., Inc (KEPCO E&C) designed the Shin Ulchin Nuclear Power Plants 1&2: “SUN 1&2”. The plants will be located North of Ulchin at the eastern part of the Korean peninsula. For these SUN 1&2 units, KEPCO E&C designed a pumping station and submerged intake and discharge structures for the required cooling water. Deltares optimised and verified the design of the cooling water system for Shin Ulchin.
Safety is important
The study looked at whether the inlet systems on the seabed, the pumping stations, scour protection and outlet systems will continue to operate safely, even in extreme weather conditions and during a range of operational procedures. This puts high demands on the hydraulic performance throughout the entire lifetime.
Optimization of the design may lead to increased availability of cooling water, lower maintenance costs and reduced energy consumption. High safety levels are also required for the intake and outfall structures. Any failure of the cooling system could force a shutdown of electricity production or, in a worst-case scenario, even a meltdown. The design was revised on the basis of the findings.
Given the possible environmental impact, the study looking at Shin Kori examined the extent to which the regional seawater temperatures may be raised by cooling water discharges. By applying an innovative calculation method to the dispersion of the heat plume, Deltares was able to come up with a more precise picture than was previously possible.
Hydraulic studies
Deltares conducted hydraulic studies (2011-2012) for the evaluation, optimization and verification of the design of the submerged intake/discharge structures of SUN 1&2 and performed model tests of the CW and ESW pump facilities for KEPCO E&C. The testing needed to comply with stringent ASME-NQA-1 quality standards which apply to the nuclear industry.
This project is one of the many projects for the power and water industries conducted by Deltares for Asian (and other) clients developing large power and water plants all over the world.