Westinghouse Electric Company, working in conjunction with EMD, is on schedule to deliver the world's largest canned motor reactor coolant pumps (RCPs) for use in the AP1000 nuclear power plant after the initial unit successfully completed the latest in a series of diagnostic testing.
EMD is completing diagnostic testing to confirm minor design modifications to the RCP implemented since the start of the first AP1000 RCP testing. The latest results from the testing indicate that the implemented design changes (made in the areas of material selection and motor design) resulting from experience will produce a pump that meets stringent Westinghouse design requirements.
During the recent testing at EMD, optimal thrust-bearing operation allowed the RCP to meet Westinghouse coast-down requirements. Additionally, thrust-bearing operation was exceptionally smooth resulting in minimal vibration to the RCP frame.
During diagnostic testing, EMD test engineers were able to balance a U.S. nickel (0.077 in. [1.95mm] thick) on the edge of the RCP flange while the pump was running at full speed, temperature and pressure. Post-test disassembly also showed no measurable wear to the major load-bearing components.
This latest and most critical phase of EMD's diagnostic testing has shown that the RCP successfully meets all of Westinghouse's design criteria for hydraulic performance.
Following engineering acceptance and endurance testing currently scheduled for completion in 2011, the EMD RCP is expected to meet all Westinghouse design specification requirements.
The engineering endurance test will subject the RCP to more than 500 hours of typical in-plant operating conditions, proving the pump's reliability for the AP1000 nuclear power plant.
Since the late 1950s, CWFC has designed and delivered more than 1,400 canned motor pumps. Currently, the AP1000 nuclear power plant RCPs are being manufactured with state-of-the-art equipment located at EMD's facility in Cheswick, PA, USA.
The 118-acre (480,000 m2) manufacturing facility was recently expanded to support the AP1000 RCP program. The delivery of the first four RCPs for the AP1000 plants being built in China continue to be on schedule for the fourth quarter of calendar year 2011. These successful test results will support the finalized design and on-time delivery.
AP1000 Pressurized Water Reactor Coolant Pump
Manufactured by Curtiss-Wright Flow Control – EMD for Westinghouse Electric Company, the AP1000 RCPs are high-inertia pumps that are highly reliable, low maintenance, hermetically sealed canned-motor pumps, which circulate the reactor coolant through the reactor core, loop piping and steam generators.
EMD, a business unit of the Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company, is the world's premier designer/builder of reactor coolant pumps, having produced more than 350 pumps for the existing commercial nuclear reactor fleet. In the past 40 years, Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company has successfully developed eight canned RCPs for specific, unique applications. These pumps are highly reliable with many running problem free for 30 years.
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