After winning the contract to supply K3 qualified switchboards and transformers COMECA, also a specialist in thermal engineering package solutions for applications in constrained environments, has been selected by our partner to design, supply prototypes, qualify and mass produce cooling solutions for two new reactors in a major nuclear project.
These two EPR reactors will provide reliable, carbon-free electricity, meeting around 7% of the UK's electricity needs.
Choosing a supplier with experience in nuclear solutions
Our client and our partner were looking for an expert supplier in thermal engineering in order to offer customised air production and diffusion systems qualified for seismic risks with a high level of reliability acquired on a large installed base.
COMECA meets these requirements thanks to its’ expertise and production site located in Saint-Quentin-Fallavier, specialised in K3** and seismic qualified cooling and diffusion systems, mainly dedicated to nuclear power plants with a fleet installed on the majority of French nuclear production sites for almost ten years.
**K3: Equipment qualification consists of proving that the equipment is suitable for the required service in the environmental conditions corresponding to the normal or accidental operating conditions in which it may be found. The different zones are categorised according to well established criteria: K1, AG, K2, K3 and K3 Ad
Example: a piece of equipment will be qualified K3 after demonstration by a sequence of tests according to a programme defined and validated by the Autorité de Sûreté Nucléaire (ASN), of its ability to ensure the required service under normal and accidental environmental conditions, in particular related to seismic problems and to meet nuclear safety requirements.
Complete customised cooling and air distribution systems compliant with nuclear and seismic standards
Our teams worked on the study and supply of autonomous cold air production systems integrated within K3 & seismic qualified Air Handling Units. The various GPRFs (chilled water production units) cover cooling capacities from 36 KW to 172 KW.
Depending on the requirements and their installation areas within the nuclear power plants, these systems can be K3 qualified (according to the RCC-M***) or seismic qualified only.
The complete system, consisting of a chiller and terminal units, will allow the air conditioning of the different rooms of the nuclear power plant in order to ensure a constant temperature set point for the sensitive equipment.
***RCC-M: to find out more about the professional codes and standards developed by the nuclear industry, see the dedicated page on the asn.fr website (in French only)
In summary
Thanks to their extensive experience acquired over several years with nuclear electricity producers and suppliers and through a significant installed base in France and abroad, our technical experts were able to adapt our solution to meet the specific specifications of this major nuclear project.
Our project teams also ensure that the quality, documentation, safety and perfect knowledge of the follow-up processes with our client and their customer are taken into account, in absolute compliance with the Nuclear Safety Rules.
Comeca is proud to participate in this large-scale project and to demonstrate its know-how in the supply of K3-qualified electrical switchboards and transformers as well as in the supply of K3-qualified and seismic-qualified self-contained cooling and air diffusion systems.
