Vietnam: 05 requirements for the reactor coolant system

According to Article 34 of Circular No. 30/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, requirements for the reactor coolant system are specified as follows:

1. The components of the reactor coolant systems must satisfy the requirements of design and manufacture quality, material quality, and inspection during their operation.

2. The pipework connected to the pressure boundary must be designed to limit the leak of coolant through interfacing systems, and to prevent the release of radioactive coolant.

3. The flaws must be prevented from initiating, and any flaws that are initiated must be promptly detected, and the extension of flaws must be prevented.

4. The embrittlement of the components of the coolant pressure boundary must be avoided.

5. A failure of a component contained inside the coolant pressure boundary, such as pump impellers and valves, must not cause damage to other components that are important to safety, in all operational states and in accident conditions, with due account taken of their degradation.

Moreover, Article 35 of Circular No. 30/2012/TT-BKHCN also stipulates that the operation of the pressure relief devices must be ensured to protect the coolant pressure boundary against overpressure at any position, and prevent the release of radioactive materials directly to the environment.

Besides, according to Article 36 of Circular No. 30/2012/TT-BKHCN, the volume, temperature, and pressure of the reactor coolant must not exceed the design limits in any operational state of the nuclear power plant, with due account taken of the volumetric change and leakage. Adequate facilities shall be provided for the removal of activated corrosion products and fission products deriving from the fuel. The capability of the facilities shall be based on the design limits on permissible leakage of the fuel, with a sufficient margin to ensure a low level of circuit activity, and that the radiation releases are below the acceptable limits and are as low as reasonably achievable.

View details at Circular No. 30/2012/TT-BKHCN of the Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam, effective from February 11, 2013.

Le Vy

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