Westinghouse systems for Slovenia nuclear plant

Brussels – Westinghouse Electric Co., part of Toshiba Corp., has received two contracts from Nuklearna Elektrarna Krško (NEK) to provide two systems for the Krško nuclear power plant in Slovenia.

The passive containment dry-filter method (DFM) venting system and a passive autocatalytic recombiner hydrogen-control system are being installed to enhance severe accident management capabilities at the site.

Designed to provide additional measures for ensuring containment integrity, the engineering, design, supply and installation of the two passive safety systems, including aerosol and iodine filter units, is due to be complete by April 2015.

The World Association of Nuclear Operators performance indicators currently place the Krško Nuclear Power Plant in the top 25% of nuclear power plants in terms of safe and stable operation.

Javier González, Westinghouse vice president and managing director, southern Europe, said the contracts reflected “the ongoing commitment of Westinghouse to provide the commercial nuclear power industry with products and services that further enhance plant safety and address post-Fukushima lessons learned.”

The DFM venting system is designed to depressurise reactor containment while minimising the release of radioactivity into the environment.

Westinghouse claims the dry filter method offers significant technical advantages over other methods, and lists these as including:
- proven high aerosol and gaseous iodine removal efficiencies;
- a robust and completely passive process control;
- high -temperature and high-radiation resistance of all filter components;
- small flow resistance of filter units;
- a robust modular and passive design able to withstand historic seismic events; and
- no coolant or chemical supply needed during standby and operational modes.

Westinghouse’s passive autocatalytic recombiner helps to control and mitigate the effects of hydrogen generation under severe accident conditions. It includes passive equipment, little-to-zero maintenance costs, easy installation, ability to test multiple cartridges shortening associated work during outages, and robustness with respect to atmospheric conditions or seismic loads.

Westinghouse has been providing the Krško plant with products and services ever since a Westinghouse-designed pressurised water reactor entered commercial operation back in 1983.

The relationship was further strengthened in 2002 with a long-term nuclear fuel contract and in 2007 with a service agreement to provide services, turnkey projects, equipment and material/spare parts.

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