Research on ageing and lifetime management for Qinshan nuclear power plant

Despite the fact that nuclear electricity in mainland China is only 10 years old, ageing management (AM) and plant lifetime management (PLM) are considered important by Chinese authorities because of their implications in design, construction and early operation stages. Taking Qinshan NPP as a background, this paper puts forward some preliminary viewpoints and suggestions on establishing AM/PLM systems for Chinese NPPs and several key technical problems to be solved in PLM from the view angle of a Research and Development institute. The PLM research aspects given in this paper focus on methodologies for PLA (plant lifetime assessment) and PLM. The results obtained from PLA should be reflected into PLM and maintenance programmes in NPP. Only in this way, can PLM constitutes a complete system. On the other hand, whether the PLA objectively reflects the actual situation of NPP will largely depend on whether the assessment has objective and correct input from NPP and this should be ensured by a well-operated PLM system. In this way, a benign cycle is formed: a good PLM system ensures the objectivity and correction of PLA results; while objective and correct PLA results provide the basis for further PLM program improvement. Once such kind of cycle going through, the PLM system in NPP will be upgraded and more correct and integral input for PLA in next cycle will be expected