Latest technologies of design and construction for new PWR plants

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) has so far constructed 23 PWR plants including Mihama Unit-1 Unit, which started operation in 1970. After Genkai Unit-4, which started operation in 1997, construction of PWR plants temporarily halted in Japan. However, the safety assessment of Tomari Unit-3 (3 loops, output 912 MWe) of Hokkaido Electric Power Company started in Nov. 2000, and a safety assessment of Tsuruga Units-3 and 4 (4 loops, output 1538 MWe/unit) of Japan Atomic Power Company, the first APWR units, are also planned to start very soon. PWR plants have now been designed full scale and construction of new PWR plants is going to commence in earnest in Japan. A brief introduction of the new design is followed by a description of the improved design method, upgrade of the 3D-CAD design system and improved project control procedure. The concept of the new construction method planned for the new plants is also introduced. Through these, and based on construction experience of 23 plants, MHI will introduce enhancements to the reliability and safety of the new plants and promote their smooth design and construction