Cooling water piping system nuclear powerplant

Project description

Amerplastics NV was appointed by the client as the contractor to supply the new cooling water piping system for this nuclear power plant. The full scope of the project included qualification testing of Bondstrand pipes and fittings, CAD detail drawings, manufacturing in our workshop, and assistance during installation by the local general mechanical contractor.

Amerplastics realised cooling water piping for the nuclear power plant using a Bondstrand 2425 glass fibre reinforced epoxy (GRE) piping system. Certified according to ASME Code Case N-155-2 with Taper/Taper adhesive joints.

Bondstrand pipes are used in the nuclear power plant’s third cooling circuit. This circuit carries water from the river to the nuclear power plant and is used to cool the reactor during a maintenance shutdown (every 18 months) or an emergency shutdown. The system was designed by Tractebel Engineers taking into account allowable stresses due to weight, thermal expansion, earthquake calculations, etc. Based on the results of these calculations, a minimum wall thickness for the pipes was determined.

Piping system

Service : Cooling water pipes
Product : Bondstrand 2425
Diameter : 2 inch to 24 inch (50 – 600 mm)

Operational conditions

Design pressure : 10,5 bar
Operating pressure : 4 bar
Design temperature : 65 degrees Celsius
Operating temperature : ambient

Benefits realised

A corrosion-resistant piping system
Lower cost of ownership
Maintenance-free

Certification

The entire supply chain is certified: the manufacturer, the supplier of all components, manufacturing methods, manufacturing parameters, assembly methods and parameters, as well as the testing and inspection personnel.

Belgian law requires Class 3 installations to be verified and inspected by an official government-approved body. AIB Vinçotte, more specifically the AIA department, is recognised as the notified body responsible for all inspections related to qualification and production tests.