Unit 3 of the Karachi in Pakistan completed hot functional testing on 4 November ahead of schedule, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) reported adding that the unit has entered the fuel loading stage. Karachi 3 is the second Hualong One (1100MWe HPR1000) exported by CNNC.
Hot functional tests, which began on 13 September, involve increasing the temperature of the reactor coolant system and carrying out comprehensive tests to ensure that coolant circuits and safety systems are operating as they should. The tests simulate the thermal working conditions of the plant and verify that nuclear island and conventional equipment and systems meet design requirements.
Karachi 2&3 are contracted to CNNC's China Zhongyuan Engineering Corporation (CZEC). Hualong One is China's third-generation nuclear power technology with full intellectual property rights. At present, two Hualong One units are in commercial operation, and eight nuclear power units using Hualong One technology are in construction or in operation at home and abroad.
The construction of the Karachi units has boosted the development of Pakistan's economy by providing over 10,000 direct jobs for Pakistan citizens, and a further 40,000 indirect jobs through the value chain, CNNC added.
Photo: Karachi 3 (photo credit: CNNC)
