Cctv news(Reporter Chen Shiwen): "Everyone realizes the complexity of nuclear technology and the special sensitivity of nuclear technology." On July 28th, at the symposium of "Entering Hualong No.1" online brand evaluation activity (Hainan Station), the daily knowledge points should still be a routine link of Hainan Nuclear Power, and nuclear safety has always been placed at the top of all work.
In October, 2020, the comprehensive index of WANO (World Nuclear Power Operators Association) of Hainan Nuclear Power Phase I Project reached a perfect score, and the level of safe operation entered the world’s advanced ranks.
Why can nuclear power develop in China? For example, how to deal with radioactive nuclear waste, and whether nuclear power can help achieve the "double carbon goal" and energy security … … The reporter visited Hainan Nuclear Power on the spot to see how they answered this question with practical actions.
How is the radioactive waste from nuclear power plants treated scientifically?
Using nuclear power to generate electricity, how to properly handle radioactive waste has always been a worldwide problem. Li Zhenyun, deputy general manager of Hainan Nuclear Power, introduced the construction of the "Hualong No.1" nuclear power unit in Hainan, and said that the industry’s first plasma high-temperature melting technology has been realized, which can further optimize the treatment mode of "three wastes".
In the treatment of radioactive waste in general nuclear power plants, when some elements with long half-life are involved, the greater the specific activity, the greater the difficulty of treatment and the higher the cost. Previously, a part of the "three wastes" treatment of nuclear power plants was packed and compacted and put into warehouses, while the other part of wet wastes such as concentrated solution were basically solidified by cement and then stored for a long time.
Hainan Changjiang nuclear power"three piles of co-construction" (“hualong one"Two-unit sum“Linglong no.1"The first pile) of the construction site.
However, the flame temperature of the plasma high-temperature melting radioactive waste treatment technology in Hainan "Hualong No.1" can reach 1500℃, so that the concentrated waste liquid and waste solvent can be fused by plasma in a proper proportion, and the final product forms a stable glass body, which greatly reduces the amount of radioactive waste and further improves the safety of long-term disposal of radioactive waste packages.
After this technology is put into use, it will become one of the standard technologies for the future "Hualong II". By then, the whole radioactive waste treatment level and waste reduction level of Hainan Nuclear Power will reach a new height at home and abroad, which has obvious advantages compared with the traditional "three wastes" treatment technology.
In addition, the northwest of Changjiang Nuclear Power Plant in Hainan Province is also equipped with an environmental laboratory, which is responsible for analyzing and measuring the environmental media samples around the nuclear power plant under normal working conditions and during the expected operation events, and regularly conducting the environmental monitoring of the nuclear power plant γ A survey of radiation levels. The staff here said that the monitoring situation has been normal and stable.
Chen Jianxin, chief engineer of Hainan Nuclear Power, said that the advanced waste treatment center for plasma melting is currently under construction in the fence of the project site, and it is planned to be put into use in September 2025. By then, a nuclear power related industrial system led by modern service industry and high-tech industry will also take shape, which will drive about 25,000 to 30,000 people to find jobs.
What does nuclear power generation mean for energy security?
Nowadays, the epidemic situation in COVID-19 is repeated, and the international situation is turbulent, which leads to the global energy supply shortage, high inflation, and the disorder of industrial chain and supply chain, which increases the external input pressure of China. Faced with such shocks and challenges, developing clean energy independently is an important way for China to ensure energy security, continuously improve the product capacity of industrial chain and create employment opportunities.
It is reported that after the two nuclear power units of the first phase of Hainan Changjiang Nuclear Power Project were put into commercial operation in December 2015 and August 2016 respectively, the problem of power shortage in Hainan Province was completely solved, and the clean energy guarantee of 9 billion to 10 billion kWh of electricity was provided to Hainan Province every year, accounting for about one-third of the total electricity consumption in Hainan Province, so Hainan became the province with the highest proportion of nuclear power in the country.
Sun Yungen, general manager of Hainan Nuclear Power, revealed at the symposium that after the two "Hualong No.1" nuclear power units and one "Linglong No.1" nuclear power unit under construction are completed and put into operation, it is estimated that the power generation will account for more than 50% of the power received by Hainan Province.
Su Chengmei shared her feelings about working in Hainan nuclear power at the forum.
The research shows that 1 yuan’s nuclear power investment can produce about 3 yuan/year’s GDP during the construction period and 2 yuan/year’s GDP during the operation period. Every 100 million yuan of investment in the construction period can create about 3,600 employment opportunities for the whole society, and every 100 million yuan of output value in the operation period can create about 2,000 employment opportunities for the whole society.
Su Chengmei, a resident of villages and towns near Hainan Nuclear Power, said that in the past, they opened their own small shops at home, and their lives were decent, but they were busy all year round but could not save any money. Since the nuclear power plant was built near the village, there have been more people, and the business of small shops is getting better and better, and they have to replenish goods every three days. Now, the living conditions of families have been greatly improved.
Now she has become a skilled worker in Hainan nuclear power radioactive laundry. "The establishment of the power station has also provided us housewives with employment opportunities. I feel very happy and satisfied to work here."