The "Tianwan" nuclear power plant has begun operating the "Heqi-1" project, which will reduce coal consumption at petrochemical plants

The Heqi-1 project at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in Lianyungang, Jiangsu province, has begun operation. This was announced by the China Atomic Energy Authority. The project uses steam produced by the turbine system of two power units to generate industrial steam through a multi-layer insulation system for safety. The industrial steam is then transported through pipelines to the petrochemical industrial base through a multi-stage heat exchange system.

Nuclear-heated steam is expected to reduce coal consumption for petrochemical plants, where high temperature and pressure are vital for chemical reactions.

"This is the first application of this scale in the world. Unlike previous small-scale attempts, Heqi-1 can produce 600 tons of industrial steam in just one hour. For this, we have overcome many technical difficulties and made a breakthrough in industrial steam quality, both in heat transfer and long distance", said Zhang Yi, chairman of Jiangsu Nuclear Power Co., Ltd.

The target industrial park for the project is located about 23 kilometers from the power plant.

"We have researched long-distance transportation and introduced a new thermal insulation method. Industrial steam from nuclear power plants fills the demand gap in the industrial park. It is stable and also achieves carbon emission reduction targets", said Wang Falin, general manager of Jiangsu Fangyang Energy Technology Co., Ltd.

The project is expected to supply 4.8 million tons of zero-carbon steam annually from the power plant to the Lianyungang petrochemical base. China National Nuclear Corporation says the project will reduce the equivalent of burning 400,000 tons of standard coal annually, cutting carbon dioxide emissions by more than 1 million tons, sulfur dioxide by 184 tons and nitrogen oxides by 263 tons.

The Heqi-1, developed in cooperation with various partners, is expected to serve as a model of clean industrial steam supply for the petrochemical industry and give a new impetus to high-quality development in China.