China has launched its first nuclear-powered industrial steam supply project, marking a significant milestone in clean energy application and industrial development. The “Heqi-1” project began operation on Wednesday at the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant in Lianyungang, eastern China’s Jiangsu Province, according to the China Atomic Energy Authority.
The Heqi-1 utilizes steam generated from the turbine system of two nuclear power units to produce industrial steam through a multi-layered isolation system, ensuring safety. This steam is then transported via pipelines extending 23 kilometers to a petrochemical industrial base, using a multi-stage heat transfer system.
“This is the very first application of such scale in the world,” said Zhang Yi, chairman of Jiangsu Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. “Unlike previous small-scale attempts, Heqi-1 can produce 600 tonnes of industrial steam in just one hour. We overcame many technical difficulties to ensure the quality of the industrial steam, particularly in heat transfer over long distances.”
The project aims to significantly reduce coal consumption in petrochemical plants, where high temperature and pressure are essential for chemical reactions. By providing a stable and zero-carbon steam supply, Heqi-1 fills a demand gap in the industrial park while achieving carbon reduction goals.
“We researched long-distance transportation and adopted a new method of thermal insulation,” said Wan Falin, general manager of Jiangsu Fangyang Energy Technology Co., Ltd. “The nuclear-powered industrial steam is stable and helps us achieve our carbon reduction targets.”
Heqi-1 is expected to deliver 4.8 million tonnes of zero-carbon steam annually, reducing the equivalent of 400,000 tonnes of standard coal combustion each year. According to China National Nuclear Corporation, this will cut carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 million tonnes, sulfur dioxide by 184 tonnes, and nitrogen oxides by 263 tonnes annually.
Developed in collaboration with various partners, Heqi-1 is set to serve as a model for clean industrial steam supply in the petrochemical industry, injecting new impetus into high-quality development in China.
Reference(s):
China's nuclear-powered industrial steam supply begins operation
cgtn.com
