CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

Chapter
Major Balance-of-Plant Features 9
It is difficult to completely standardize the plant design steam system, condensate cleanup
beyond the nuclear island. In addition to utility system, and the condensate and
preferences in the steam and power conversion system, feedwater pumping and heating
there are also site-unique issues, such as the ultimate system. The heat rejected to the main
heat sink (UHS) location and temperature which can condenser is removed by a circulating
play a significant role in the selected configuration. water system and discharged to the
What follows, therefore, is an example configuration, power cycle heat sink.
showing one possible implementation. Changes in this
part of the plant will not have any significant impact Steam, generated in the reactor, is
on the Nuclear Island design or operation. supplied to the high-pressure turbine
and the steam reheaters. Steam leaving
the high-pressure turbine passes
Steam and Power through a combined moisture
Conversion System separator/reheater prior to entering the
low-pressure turbines. The moisture
separator drains, steam reheater drains,
The Turbine Building houses all equipment associated and the drains from the two high-
with the main turbine generator and other auxiliary pressure feedwater heaters are pumped
equipment. The turbine employs a conventional back to the reactor feedwater pump
regenerative cycle with condenser deaeration and suction by the heater drain pumps. The
condensate demineralization. The turbine-generator low-pressure feedwater heater drains
is equipped with an electrohydraulic control system are cascaded to the condenser.
and supervisory instruments to monitor performance.
The gross electrical output of the turbine-generator is Steam exhausted from the low-
approximately 1350 MWe. pressure turbines is condensed and
deaerated in the condenser. The
The components of the Steam and Power Conversion condensate pumps take suction from
(S&PC) System are designed to produce electrical the condenser hotwell and deliver the
power utilizing the steam generated by the reactor, condensate through the filters and
condense the steam into water, and return the water to demineralizers, gland steam
the reactor as heated feedwater, with a major portion condenser, SJAE condensers, offgas
of its gaseous, dissolved, and particulate impurities recombiner condensers to the
removed in order to satisfy the reactor water quality condensate boost pumps. The
requirements. condensate boost pumps deliver the
feedwater through the low-pressure
The S&PC System includes the turbine portion of the feedwater heaters to the reactor feed
main steam system, the main turbine generator system, pumps. The reactor feed pumps
main condenser, condenser evacuation system, turbine discharge through the high-pressure
gland seal system, turbine bypass system, extraction feedwater heaters to the reactor.

9-1
CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

The S&PC System main conceptual Turbine Main Steam Systems

features are illustrated on Figure 9-1, The Turbine Main Steam System delivers steam from
assuming a triple pressure condenser. the reactor to the turbine generator, the reheaters, the
This type of condenser and other site turbine bypass system, and the steam jet air ejectors
dependent ABWR plant features and (SJAEs) from warm-up to full-load operation. The
parameters are reported herein based Main Steam System also supplies the steam seal
on typical central U.S. site conditions. system and the auxiliary steam system when other
sources are not available.
Normally, the turbine power heat cycle
utilizes all the steam being generated by
Main Turbine/Generator
the reactor; however, an automatic
pressure-controlled turbine bypass The main turbine is an 1800 rpm, tandem compound
system designed for 33% of the rated six flow, reheat steam turbine. The turbine generator
steam flow is provided to discharge is equipped with an electrohydraulic control system
excess steam directly to the condenser. and supervisory instruments to monitor performance.
Although the ABWR Standard Plant The gross electrical output of the turbine generator is
design is for 33% bypass, this capability approximately 1350 MWe. For utilities generating
could be increased to a full load reject 50 Hz power, the turbine shaft speed is 1500 rpm.
capability without affecting the Nuclear
Island (as has been done for Lungmen).

Reactor
Vessel
Low
Moisture Pressure
Main Turbine
Separator
Steam Reheater

Generator
Feedwater

High Stack
Condenser
Pressure
Suppression Turbine
Pool Offgas
CP System
High Pressure
Feedwater Heater

Feed- Steam Jet

Low Pressure Air Ejector
water
Feedwater Heaters
Pump
Gland Steam
Condenser

CBP Condensate
Purification
Condenser System

Figure 9-1. Steam and Power Conversion System

9-2
 CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

Main Condenser The SJAEs are placed in service to

The Main Condenser is a multi-pressure three-shell remove the gases from the Main
type deaerating type condenser. During plant Condenser after a pressure of about 0.034
operation, steam expanding through the low-pressure to 0.051 MPa absolute is established in
turbines is directed downward into the Main the Main Condenser by the mechanical
Condenser and is condensed. The Main Condenser vacuum pump and when sufficient
also serves as a heat sink for the turbine bypass system, nuclear steam pressure is available.
emergency and high level feedwater heater and drain
During normal power operation, the
tank dumps, and various other startup drains and relief
SJAEs are normally driven by cross-
valve discharges.
around steam, with the main steam
supply on automatic standby. The main
Main Condenser Evacuation System
steam supply, however, is normally used
The Main Condenser Evacuation System (MCES) during startup and low load operation,
removes the noncondensible gases from the power and auxiliary steam is available for
cycle. The MCES removes the hydrogen and oxygen normal use of the SJAEs during early
produced by radiolysis of water in the reactor, and startup, should the mechanical vacuum
other power cycle noncondensible gases, and exhausts pump prove to be unavailable.
them to the Offgas System during plant power
operation, and to the Turbine Building compartment Turbine Gland Steam System
exhaust system at the beginning of each startup.
The Turbine Gland Steam System
The MCES consists of two 100% capacity, double stage, (TGSS) provides steam to the turbine
SJAE units (complete with intercondenser) for power glands and the turbine valve stems. The
plant operation where one SJAE unit is normally in TGSS prevents leakage of air into or
operation and the other is on standby, as well as a radioactive steam out of the turbine
mechanical vacuum pump for use during startup. The shaft and turbine valves. The gland
last stage of the SJAE is a noncondensing stage. steam condenser collects air and steam
mixture, condenses the steam, and
During the initial phase of startup, when the desired discharges the air leakage to the
rate of air and gas removal exceeds the capacity of atmosphere via the main vent by a
the SJAEs, and nuclear steam pressure is not adequate motor-driven blower.
to operate the SJAE units, the mechanical vacuum
pump establishes a vacuum in the Main Condenser Turbine Bypass System
and other parts of the power cycle. The discharge from The Turbine Bypass System (TBS)
the vacuum pump is then routed to the Turbine provides the capability to discharge
Building compartment exhaust system, since there is main steam from the reactor directly
then little or no effluent radioactivity present. to the condenser to minimize step load
Radiation detectors in the Turbine Building reduction transient effects on the
compartment exhaust system and plant vent alarm in Reactor Coolant System. The TBS is
the Main Control Room (MCR) if abnormal also used to discharge main steam
radioactivity is detected. Radiation monitors are during reactor hot standby and
provided on the main steamlines which trip the cooldown operations.
vacuum pump if abnormal radioactivity is detected in
the steam being supplied to the condenser.

9-3
CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

The TBS consists of (1) a three-valve value. The bypass valves are also closed on loss of
chest that is connected to the main electrical power or hydraulic system pressure. The
steamlines upstream of the turbine stop bypass valve hydraulic accumulators have the
valves, and (2) three dump lines that capability to stroke the valves at least three times
separately connect each bypass valve should the hydraulic power unit fail.
outlet to one condenser shell. The
system is designed to bypass at least When the reactor is operating in the automatic load-
33% of the rated main steam flow following mode, a 10% load reduction can be
directly to the condenser. The TBS, in accommodated without opening the bypass valves, and
combination with the reactor systems, a 25% load reduction can be accommodated with
provides the capability to shed 40% momentary opening of the bypass valves. These load
of the T-G rated load without reactor changes are accomplished by change in reactor
trip and without the operation of SRVs. recirculating flow without any control rod motion.
A load rejection in excess of 40% is
When the plant is at zero power, hot standby or initial
expected to result in reactor trip but
cooldown, the system is operated manually by the
without operation of any steam safety
control room operator or by the plant automation
valve. Optionally, some utilities desire
system. The measured reactor pressure is then
100% bypass (full load rejection)
compared against, and regulated to, the pressure set
capability. In this case there are more
by the operator or automation system.
bypass valves required.

The turbine bypass valves are opened Steam Extraction System

by redundant signals received from the Extraction steam from the high pressure turbine
Steam Bypass and Pressure Control supplies the last stage of feedwater heating and
System whenever the actual steam extraction steam from the low pressure turbines
pressure exceeds the preset steam supplies the first four stages. An additional low
pressure by a small margin. This pressure extraction drained directly to the condenser
occurs when the amount of steam protects the last-stage buckets from erosion induced
generated by the reactor cannot be by water droplets.
entirely used by the turbine. This
bypass demand signal causes fluid Condensate and Feedwater System
pressure to be applied to the operating The Condensate and Feedwater System (CFS)
cylinder, which opens the first of the provides a dependable supply of high-quality
individual valves. As the bypass feedwater to the reactor at the required flow, pressure,
demand increases, additional bypass and temperature. The condensate pumps take the
valves are opened, dumping the steam deaerated condensate from the main condenser hotwell
to the condenser. The bypass valves are and deliver it through the SJAE condenser, the gland
equipped with fast acting servo valves steam condenser, the offgas condenser, the condensate
to allow rapid opening of bypass demineralizer to the inlet of the condensate boost
valves upon turbine trip or generator pumps. The condensate boost pumps deliver the
load rejection. feedwater through three parallel strings of four low-
pressure feedwater heaters to the reactor main
The bypass valves automatically trip feedwater pumps (FWPs) section. The FWPs each
closed whenever the vacuum in the discharge through two stages of high-pressure heaters
main condenser falls below a preset (two parallel strings) to the reactor. Each reactor FWP

9-4
 CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

is driven by an adjustable speed synchronous motor.

The drains from the high-pressure heaters are pumped Other Turbine
into the suction of the FWPs. Auxiliary Systems
For a description of the feedwater system on the
Nuclear Island side, see Chapter 3.
Turbine Building Service Water
Moisture Separator Reheater System
System
Four horizontal cylindrical-shell, combined moisture
separator/reheaters are installed in the steam path The Turbine Building Service Water
between the high and low pressure turbines. The (TBSW) System provides cooling
moisture separator/reheaters serve to dry and reheat water from the power cycle heat sink
the high pressure turbine steam exhaust before it enters to the cold water side of the TBCW
the low pressure turbines. This improves cycle heat exchangers. The TBSW System
efficiency and reduces moisture-related erosion and consists of pumps, motor-operated
corrosion in the low pressure turbines. Moisture is valves, strainers, piping and
removed in chevron-type moisture separators, and is instrumentation.
drained to the moisture separator drain tank and from
there to the heater drain tank. The dry steam passes
Turbine Building Cooling Water
upward across the heater which is supplied with main System
steam. Finally, the reheated steam is routed to the The Turbine Building Cooling Water
combined intermediate valves which are located (TBCW) System is a closed-loop
upstream of the low pressure turbines inlet nozzles. cooling water system that supplies
cooling water through the TBCW heat
Circulating Water System exchangers to Turbine Island
The Circulating Water System (CWS), which operates equipment coolers and rejects heat to
continuously during power generation, including the TBSW System.
startup and shutdown, provides cooling water for
removal of the power cycle waste heat from the main
condensers and transfers this heat to the power cycle
heat sink. The CWS consists of the following
components: (1) screen house and intake screens,
Station Electrical
pumps; (2) condenser water boxes and piping and Power
valves; (3) tube side of the main condenser; (4) water
box fill and drain subsystem; and (5) related support AC Power Distribution
facilities such as for system water treatment, inventory
blowdown and general maintenance. The AC electrical power distribution
consists of three independent load
To circulate the cooling water, there are at least three groups (Figure 9-2). Each group
fixed speed motor-driven pumps that are arranged in receives preferred power from its own
parallel and discharge into a common header. This unit auxiliary transformer (UAT)
arrangement permits isolation and maintenance of any which, in turn, derives its power from
one pump while the others remain in operation. the main generator during plant
operation. The main generator has its

9-5
CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

CP = CONDENSATE PUMP SWITCHYARD

OFFSITE OFFSITE
CRD = CONTROL ROD DRIVE (NORMAL PREFERRED)
(ALTERNATE PREFERRED) (ALTERNATE PREFERRED)
PUMP MPT RAT2
RAT1
CTG = COMBUSTION TURBINE 1660MVA 40MVA
13.8 kV 35MVA
GENERATOR
CWMP = COOLING WATER 4.16 kV 4.16 kV
GEN. INSTALLED
MAKEUP PUMP 1620MVA
BREAKER SPARE
CWPH = CIRCULATING WATER MAIN R1 (R) 1R1 (R)
PUMP HOUSE GEN 24kV 190-PHASE BUS
DG = DIESEL GENERATOR
FMCRD = FINE MOTION UATA UATB UATC
CONTROL ROD 50MVA 50MVA 50MVA
DRIVE 25MVA
CTG
FP = FIRE PUMP 4.16kV 13.8 kV 4.16kV 13.8 kV 4.16kV 13.8 kV CTG AUX
HD = HEATER DRAIN AUX
PUMP TRANSFORMER 416 kV
HPCF = HIGH PRESSURE 20MVA
CORE
FLOODER PUMP
A1 (PG) A2 (PG) B1 (PG) B2 (PG) C1 (PG) C2 (PG) 2R1 (R) R2 (R)
(IE) = CLASS IE BUS
MPT = MAIN POWER RIP (3) RIP (2) RIP (3) RIP (2) HD HD
TRANSFORMER RFW CP RFW CP CP CP
CWP CWP RFW CWP
NCW = NORMAL COOLING CTMP CTMP CTMP
WATER CHILLER CT (2) CT (2) CT (2)
PC = POWER CENTER
(PG) = POWER GENERATION
BUS
(PIP) = PLANT INVESTMENT
A3 (PIP) B3 (PIP) C3 (PIP)
PROTECTION BUS
(R) = RESERVE BUS CRD CRD MVP
RAT = RESERVE AUXILIARY TBCW TBCW TBCW
TRANSFORMER NCW (2) NCW (2) NCW
TBSW TBSW TBSW
RBCW = REACTOR BUILDING PC (5) PC (5) FCRD (3)
COOLING WATER PUMP LOAD GROUP A LOAD GROUP B PC (5) LOAD GROUP C
RBSW = REACTOR BUILDING
SERVICE WATER PUMP
RFW = REACTOR FEEDWATER
PUMP
RHR = RESIDUAL HEAT = ALTERNATE PREFERRED POWER
REMOVAL PUMP A4 (IE) B4 (IE) C4 (IE) (RAT1)
RIP = REACTOR INTERNAL RHR RHR RHR = ALTERNATE PREFERRED POWER
PUMP RBCW (2) RBCW (2) RBCW (2) (RAT2)
TBCW = TURBINE BUILDING RBSW (2) RBSW (2) RBSW (2) = CTG POWER
FCRD (3) HPCF HPCF
COOLING WATER PUMP DG PC DG PC DG PC = BUS B4 FEED FROM UATB
TBSW = TURBINE BUILDING A B C = TYPICAL NORMAL SYSTEM LINEUP
SERVICE WATER PUMP 8,2MVA DIVISION I 8,2MVA DIVISION II 8,2MVA DIVISION III
UAT = UNIT AUXILIARY .8PF .8PF .8PF
TRANSFORMER

Figure 9-2. Electrical Power Distribution System

own circuit breaker which allows Three dedicated Class 1E emergency diesel generators
power to be back-fed through the main (DGs) supply automatic backup power to each of the
transformer to supply the auxiliaries three safety-related divisions. Each DG is capable of
when the plant is off-line. This also providing the required power to safely shut down the
facilitates the startup of the plant reactor after loss of preferred power and/or a loss-of-
without the need for startup coolant accident (LOCA), to maintain the safe shutdown
transformers. condition, and to operate the Class 1E auxiliaries
necessary for plant safety after shutdown. The diesel
Each load group supplies power to generators are now located in the Reactor Building.
plant power generation (PG) loads,
plant investment protection (PIP) In a similar manner, a non-Class 1E combustion turbine
loads, and safety-related (Class 1E) generator (CTG) supplies automatic backup power to
loads through separate buses and selected PIP loads. In the event of station blackout (i.e.,
associated distribution systems. loss of all AC power including DGs), the CTG can be
Alternate preferred power can be manually connected to any of the Class 1E buses.
supplied through two reserve auxiliary
transformers (RATs).

9-6
 CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

Each of the three UATs has dual secondary windings. Should a loss of preferred power occur,
One winding provides 13.8 kV to the PG buses and each Class 1E bus automatically
the other winding provides 4.16 kV to the PIP and transfers to its own DG, and selected
Class 1E buses. Each 4.16 kV Class 1E bus feeds its PIP loads automatically transfer to the
associated Class 1E 480V unit substations through CTG. However, the interconnection
4.16 kV/480V/277V power center transformers. capability of the ABWR is such that
Power for the non-Class 1E 480V auxiliaries is any plant loads can be manually
supplied from power centers consisting of either connected to receive power from any
13.8 kV/480V/277V or 4.16 kV/480V/277V of the six sources (i.e., the two
transformers and associated metal-clad switchgear. To switching stations, the CTG, and the
the extent practical, power center transformers are three DGs).
uniformly sized (i.e., the same kVA rating) to improve
voltage regulation, reduce costs, and achieve DC Power Distribution
standardization. The DC Power Supply (DCPS)
consists of three separate subsystems:
One of the two RATs, which provide alternate
preferred power to the electrical distribution system, Safety-related 125 VDC (four
has a 13.8 kV secondary winding which feeds the six independent and separated Class
PG buses. The other RAT has two 4.16 kV secondary 1E divisions).
windings with one winding providing power to the
three PIP buses, and the other providing power directly Non-safety-related 125 VDC
to a stub bus which, in turn, provides power through (three individual load groups).
individual circuit breakers to the three Class 1E buses. Non-safety-related 250 VDC (two
individual load groups).
The Division I DG provides its output at 4.16 kV to
the Class 1E Division I bus. Likewise, the Division II Each DC subsystem consists of a
DG provides its output at 4.16 kV to the Class 1E battery and associated charger for each
Division II bus, and the Division III DG provides its division or load group, power
output at 4.16 kV to the Class 1E Division III bus. distribution panels, and all the
The Class 1E divisions are independent and separated, associated control, monitoring and
and there are no automatic inter-connections between protective equipment and
them. interconnecting cabling. In addition,
the DCPS employs standby chargers
The CTG provides its output at 13.8 kV to the CTG that are shared between the batteries
bus which: to enable the individual battery testing
and off-line equalization.
Provides power to a 4.16 kV CTG bus through a
transformer. The 4.16 kV CTG bus then provides The DCPS operates with its battery and
power directly to the three PIP and three Class 1E battery chargers (except standby
buses, as needed. chargers) continuously connected to
Provides power to the 480V CTG auxiliary bus the DC system. During normal
through a transformer. operation, the DC loads are powered
from the chargers with the batteries
Contains a bus tie (through a circuit breaker) to receiving a continuous charging
the 13.8 kV RAT output bus in order to permit the current (i.e., floating) on the system.
CTG to start and run a condensate pump, cooling The chargers are powered from the
tower fans, or other selected PG loads, if needed.

9-7
CHAPTER 9 MAJOR BALANCE-OF-PLANT FEATURES

480 VAC supply of the same division or The DCPS also facilitates uninterruptable regulated
load group, with exception of the AC power through inverters in the Vital AC (VAC)
Division IV charger, which is powered Power Supply. The VAC supplies constant
from the Division II 480 VAC supply. In uninterrupted AC power to those loads which require
case of loss of AC power to the charger continuity of AC power during a loss of preferred
or its failure, the DC loads are power event. Each Class 1E division and non-Class
automatically assumed by the battery of 1E load group has its own individual uninterruptable
each respective division or load group. power supply (UPS) unit.

Click navigation buttons below to go to

Previous Next Table of
Chapter Chapter Contents

9-8