APR+
The Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Corporation announced on Aug. 10 that APR+ atomic power stations will be built in Yeongdeok County, North Gyeongsang Province in 2026 and 2027. The new power plants are characterized by a greater structural stability than that of their predecessors, the OPR1000 and APR1400 designs. The capacity will be increased by 100,000 kW to 1.5 million kW, too. The development process started in Aug. 2007, and the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission granted standard design approval in August 2014.
The APR+ power plants can withstand the impact of a collision with a large aircraft. The thickness of the wall surrounding the dome is increased to 122 cm, and that of auxiliary buildings is increased from 137 to 152 cm. The main and remote control centers will also adopt an impact-and emergency-resistant arrangement as well, and will be able to be physically isolated in four minutes.
Passive hydrogen control systems and flood control gates will be employed so as to prevent an accident, and cooling equipment will be provided so that the operation of the power plants can be halted and the facilities can be cooled even without electricity.
“The APR+ power stations are going to be designed and built based on Korea’s own technology,” the corporation said, adding, “The construction period will be much shortened by means of advanced techniques such as modular systems.” The two power plants are scheduled to replace Yeongheung Units 7 and 8 and Dongbu Haslla Units 1 and 2, which are coal-fired plants.