'Development of boundary valve seals for the primary circuit of nuclear power plants' and 'domestic development of thermocouple mechanical seals' product appraisal meetings were held in Ningbo Tiansheng

In the tenth month of the golden autumn, the autumn wind blows coolly, the osmanthus fragrants, and the chrysanthemums are in full bloom. It is a beautiful and abundant season, and it is also a harvest season. On October 26, 2022, the China Machinery Industry Federation and the China General Machinery Industry Association organized and held a product appraisal meeting in Beijing and Cixi, Zhejiang, through a combination of video and on-site, 'Development of Nuclear Power Plant Primary Circuit Boundary Valve Seals' and 'Domestic Development of Thermocouple Mechanical Seals' jointly developed by CNNC Nuclear Power Operation Management Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Tiansheng Seals Co., Ltd. A total of more than 30 people attended the meeting, including expert leaders and representatives from China Machinery Industry Federation, China General Machinery Industry Association, major offices of China Machinery Industry Federation, China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd., State Nuclear Power Technology Co., Ltd., Nuclear and Radiation Safety Center of the Ministry of Ecology and Environmental Protection, China Nuclear Power Design and Research Institute, Qinshan Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., Fujian Fuqing Nuclear Power Co., Ltd., and China General Nuclear Power Operations Co., Ltd. The conference was chaired by Huang Li, president of the China General Machinery Industry Association, and Wang Xiaojiang of China Nuclear Power Engineering Co., Ltd. was the director of the appraisal committee.

First, the host introduced the participating leaders, experts and representatives. CNNC Nuclear Power Operations Management Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Tiansheng Seals Co., Ltd. respectively introduced the domestic development background, process and product performance testing of 'primary circuit boundary valve seals' and 'thermocouple mechanical seals' of nuclear power plants. There are 'stuck neck' problems in the safe operation of units in service and nuclear power units under construction. They need to replace imported products, so localized research and development is imperative. It is of great significance to organize and convene a product appraisal meeting for the domestic development of 'primary circuit boundary valve seals' and 'thermocouple mechanical seals' in nuclear power plants to further promote the localization and engineering application of nuclear-grade seals in the nuclear industry.

Before the meeting, some experts inspected the production and testing sites and witnessed the physical products of the series and the performance tests of some products. At the meeting, CNNC Nuclear Power Operation Management Co., Ltd. and Ningbo Tiansheng Seals Co., Ltd. made detailed reports on the product development process, field testing, and verification. Representatives attending the meeting made speeches respectively and put forward opinions and suggestions on the design and development of 'primary circuit boundary valve seals' and 'thermocouple mechanical seals' products for nuclear power plants.

After the meeting, the expert appraisal committee unanimously believed that the 'primary circuit boundary valve seal' and 'thermocouple mechanical seal' products developed for nuclear power plants have independent intellectual property rights, and various performance indicators have reached the international advanced level of similar products, and can be promoted and applied in nuclear power units.

The appraisal committee agreed to pass the appraisal.

Li Xinggen, Chairman of Ningbo Tiansheng Seals Co., Ltd.: In the next step, we will adhere to innovation and carry out in-depth domestic research and development of nuclear power seals. We will develop a new self-sealing connection device that is more advanced, safer, more reliable and more convenient than existing valve seals and mechanical seals. We will definitely be at the forefront of the world.

China Machinery Industry Federation, China General Machinery Industry Association: This appraisal meeting was very successful. Through the identification of 'primary circuit boundary valve seals' and 'thermocouple mechanical seals' products in nuclear power plants, we will further promote the application of domestic equipment in the nuclear industry and other fields and support the development of localization of core basic parts.