Project Scope and Relationship to China's Agenda 21

This project seeks to further the research, development and diffusion of nuclear heating techniques, and to improve nuclear heating engineering safety, in order to decrease reliance on fossil fuels and to decrease environmental pollution. The project is based on programme areas 13A and 13 D of China's Agenda 21, and related to 18A.

1. Background

Coal has long played the prominent role in China's energy supply. However, coal production can no longer meet the needs of China's rapidly growing economy. Furthermore, the direct burning of coal results in serious pollution problems. By contrast, nuclear heating can contribute to improving the environment and relieving the heavy transportation burden of coal.

In joining increased international efforts to develop safe nuclear heating, China in the early 1980s initiated relevant research and development efforts. Important progress has been made through a national key technologies research and development programme, which was provided for in three successive national Five Year Plans. In 1989, a 5MW test heating reactor was completed by the Institute of Nuclear Energy Technology (INET) of Tsinghua University, and has been operating successfully for four years.

In addition, China has worked to develop its technological capacity to develop and operate a 200MW nuclear heating reactor. To further development, the Chinese government has approved the construction of 200MW demonstration nuclear heating plant in Daqing, Heilongjiang Province. The plant is scheduled for completion in 1998. These activities provide a solid foundation for the development of nuclear heating in China.

Thus far, nine Chinese cities have put forward official proposals to the State Planning Commission concerning the building of nuclear heating plants for district heating. In addition, some countries have become interested in China's efforts to develop a 200MW reactor. Through IAEA, North African countries have established contact with INET regarding the possible application of nuclear heating reactor technology for use in sea water desalination. Also, some Southeast Asia countries are considering the feasibility of using nuclear heating reactors for air conditioning in the summer.

In order to promote the application of the 200MW nuclear heating reactor in China and elsewhere, it is important to extend international technical cooperation and information exchange in the fields of engineering technology, engineering management and safety assurance.

2. Objectives

• Long-term objectives
  • To further the research, development and diffusion of nuclear heating techniques, to improve engineering safety ability, for the purpose of replacing fossil fuel and decreasing environmental pollution.

• Immediate Objectives
  • Establish an engineering technique development center to: develop engineering experiments; conduct inspections and repairs; train personnel; formulate safety rules and codes for a nuclear heating reactor; and prepare documents on safety system engineering in nuclear heating

  • Construct a 200MW demonstration nuclear heating plant at Daqing, Heilongjiang Province, and develop a comprehensive management system for the plant

  • Conduct research of comprehensive application techniques for nuclear heating and formulate a plan for extending applications for nuclear heating technique in China and overseas

3. Activities

• 3.1 Establishment of an engineering technique development center.
  • Establish and equip engineering laboratories

  • Establish a training center; construct a simulator center; and develop necessary software for operator training and retraining

  • Establish a maintenance and in-service inspection center for nuclear heating

  • Equip a safety laboratory for nuclear heating, and enhance research and development of safety-protection capacity for heating reactors The duration of this activity will be four years.

• 3.2 Construction of a nuclear heating demonstration plant in Daqing and development of a comprehensive management system.
  • Construction and testing of a 200MW demonstration plant, and the introduction of international, advanced management techniques at the plant, in order to establish quality control, schedule control and a financial control management system.

    The duration of this activity will be four years.

• 3.3 Research on comprehensive utilization techniques of nuclear heating and develop a plan for extending applications through China and overseas.
  • Research on refrigeration using nuclear heating

  • Feasibility study of Wuhan nuclear heating-refrigerating project for the supply of heat in winter and cooled water in summer

  • Feasibility study of sea water desalination project for five North African countries under the guidance of IAEA

  • Feasibility study of Yantai sea water desalination project

  • Investigation of international market for nuclear heating and development plan of nuclear heating in China

    The duration of this activity will be six years.

    The implementing agencies are the State Planning Commission, the State Science and Technology Commission, and the Daqing Oil Bureau.

• 4.1 Chinese Inputs
  • Experimental facilities and experimental lab buildings for the engineering technique development center
  • Formulation of management system for nuclear heating project
  • Transportation and necessary office equipment for Chinese experts
  • Research and development results, techniques, information and designs
  • Construction of demonstration project

• 4.2 International cooperation
  • Establishment of technology development center
  • Exchange of technical information
  • Technical consultation and personnel training
  • Information and software of nuclear engineering management
  • Investment for construction of nuclear heating reactor

5. Benefits

This project will help to ensure that safety issues are of paramount concern in China's efforts to develop nuclear heating reactors. This is of critical importance, in that according to development plans for China's cities, at least 50 heating plants with 200MW heat output will be built by the year 2030. Once constructed, these facilities can substitute for 10 million tons of coal per year; can decrease dust in the air more than 200 thousands tons, CO2 by 19 million tons, and ash and residue by 2 million tons per year. Therefore, the project is not only important to the cities involved, but also because it contributes to a decrease in international pollution.

In addition, as a result of applying advanced engineering management techniques, the engineering quality of the facilities will be improved, consumption will be decreased, and the construction period will be shortened. It is estimated these advanced techniques could shorten the construction period for each project by 6 to 12 months. This alone could result in a savings of US $2 million for each of the 50 reactors to be built.

Implementation of the project will also reap benefits to other countries besides China. At present, some North African countries plan to use nuclear heat for sea water desalination. To insure the supply of fresh water in this region, more than 100 heating reactors with heat power of 200MW will be needed.