China’s First Domestic TEP Steam Compressor for Hualong One—From Appraisal to Site Delivery
China achieves a critical milestone in nuclear power localization with the successful shipment of its first domestically developed TEP steam compressor for the Hualong One reactor, marking a significant advancement in balance-of-plant equipment manufacturing.
On December 22, 2025, a defining moment in China's nuclear power history unfolded at our nuclear equipment workshop in Zhangqiu. The first domestically developed TEP steam compressor for the Hualong One pressurized water reactor was officially shipped to the project site. As the core mechanical component of the boron-recovery steam compression unit, this equipment represents a critical breakthrough in the localization of balance-of-plant (BOP) equipment.
This delivery is not merely a logistical milestone; it is the culmination of years of rigorous R&D, verifying that domestic manufacturing can meet the stringent requirements of handling radioactive boric-acid steam while maintaining the stability required for the coolant treatment process. By raising the specific enthalpy of steam at the distillation tower outlet, our TEP steam compressor ensures the efficient recovery of boron, a vital neutron absorber in nuclear reactions.
Conceptual image of the TEP steam compressor for Hualong One.
Key Facts Buyers Need to Know
For procurement teams and nuclear engineers tracking the supply chain capabilities for Hualong One projects, here is the essential breakdown of this achievement:
- The Deliverable: China’s first domestically developed TEP steam compressor specifically engineered for the Hualong One boron recovery system.
- The Function: It processes boric-acid steam (containing low-level radioactivity), playing a pivotal role in the coolant treatment loop by compressing vapor to increase its thermal energy (specific enthalpy) for efficient distillation.
- The Technology: A robust Roots-type steam compressor architecture, designed and manufactured under a strict RCC-M-based quality assurance framework, ensuring full nuclear-grade traceability.
- The Impact: This project validates the localization of complex nuclear auxiliary equipment, reducing reliance on foreign imports and securing the supply chain for future Hualong One units.
Project Timeline: From Assignment to Shipment
The journey to localized production was a structured, multi-year process designed to eliminate risk and verify performance data at every stage. For buyers evaluating long-cycle nuclear deliveries, the timeline of this TEP steam compressor demonstrates our commitment to methodical execution:
- September 2018: We were officially assigned the critical task of localizing the Hualong One boron-recovery steam compressor. This marked the beginning of an intensive design and simulation phase.
- 2018–2021: This period covered comprehensive R&D, prototype manufacturing, and rigorous performance testing. We conducted extensive simulations to predict thermodynamic behavior under radioactive conditions.
- 2021: The equipment successfully passed the national-level technical appraisal, a mandatory gate for nuclear-grade equipment in China, confirming that all design targets met or exceeded international standards.
- December 22, 2025: The first fully operational unit was shipped to the project site in Zhangzhou, ready for installation and commissioning.
First domestic TEP steam compressor being loaded for shipment.
Technical Role in Boron Recovery Systems
Installed within the TEP/ZBR boron-recovery loop, the TEP steam compressor is far more than a standard air mover. It operates in a unique chemical and radiological environment that demands specialized engineering.
The Operational Context
In a Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR), boric acid is dissolved in the primary coolant to control reactivity. The boron recovery system recycles this boric acid and pure water. The compressor's role is threefold:
- Conveyance: It actively moves water vapor containing boric acid from the evaporator/distillation section.
- Energy Addition: By compressing the steam, it raises the steam's specific enthalpy (temperature and pressure), allowing the heat to be reused efficiently in the distillation process, significantly improving the thermal efficiency of the entire loop.
- Reliability: It must endure the specific operational modes of a nuclear plant, which include long periods of standby followed by rapid demand, as well as continuous duty cycles.
Why We Chose a Roots-type Design
For this specific application, we utilized a Roots-type positive-displacement structure. While centrifugal compressors are common for high flows, the Roots design offers distinct advantages for the TEP steam compressor duty cycle:
- Stable Displacement: The positive displacement nature ensures a predictable volume flow regardless of minor pressure fluctuations in the system. This stability is crucial for maintaining the delicate thermal balance of the distillation tower.
- Handling Wet Steam: Roots blowers are generally more robust against water droplets and wet steam conditions compared to high-speed turbomachinery, reducing the risk of blade erosion or surge instability.
- Sealing Integrity: Our design features specialized sealing strategies tailored for boric acid steam. Since the medium carries low-level radioactivity, preventing leakage to the atmosphere is the highest priority. We utilize advanced mechanical seals with buffer gas systems to ensure zero leakage.
- Mechanical Robustness: The direct, low-speed mechanical configuration supports the frequent start-stop cycles required by the TEP system operation logic.
Performance Metrics (Verified during National Appraisal):
| Item | Value / Description |
|---|---|
| Equipment Type | Roots-type TEP steam compressor |
| Design Standard | RCC-M based design and QA practices |
| Design Life | 60 years (Verified by fatigue analysis and material testing) |
| Start Cycles | >60,000 start-stop cycles (Ensuring durability over decades) |
| Process Medium | Boric-acid-laden water vapor (Low-level radioactivity) |
From Smart Factory to Nuclear Site
Manufacturing a nuclear-grade TEP steam compressor is not just about machining metal; it is about controlled processes and irrefutable data. We have transformed our production capabilities to align with the "Smart Factory" concept, ensuring that every component of the Hualong One supply chain is manufactured with precision and consistency.
Advanced Manufacturing Readiness
Our facility has undergone significant upgrades to support nuclear equipment production. We utilize a digital management system that integrates the entire production flow—from raw material intake to final packing.
- High CNC Utilization: Over 80% of our manufacturing equipment is CNC-controlled. This ensures that complex geometries, such as the Roots impellers and casing profiles, are machined to exact tolerances every single time.
- Digital Integration: We have integrated industrial robots for handling and welding, along with smart sensing technologies that monitor machining parameters in real-time. This digital thread provides the traceability required for nuclear documentation.
- Automated Inspection: Critical dimensions are verified using coordinate measuring machines (CMM) and on-machine probing, feeding data directly into our quality management system.
Smart factory assembly line for nuclear-grade TEP steam compressors.
Production Flow & Quality Control
The production route for a TEP steam compressor is rigorous. It begins with the procurement of certified materials, where every billet is checked for chemical composition and mechanical properties. Precision machining of the rotors is followed by dynamic balancing to ISO standards, ensuring vibration levels are kept to an absolute minimum—critical for equipment expected to run for 60 years.
Prior to shipment, every unit undergoes a comprehensive Factory Acceptance Test (FAT). This includes running tests to verify flow rates, pressure rise, temperature stability, and vibration signatures. Only after passing these stringent checks is the unit prepared for anti-corrosion preservation and shock-proof transport to the nuclear site.
RCC-M Alignment: What Buyers Receive
In the nuclear industry, the hardware is only half of the product. The other half is the "evidence"—the documentation that proves the hardware is safe. Our approach to the TEP steam compressor is deeply rooted in RCC-M standards (Design and Construction Rules for Mechanical Components of PWR Nuclear Islands).
When you procure from us, the deliverable includes a massive documentation package:
- Material Traceability: Certificates for every pressure-retaining part, ensuring that the steel used matches the design specifications exactly.
- Process Qualification: Records of Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) and Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), proving that all fabrication processes meet nuclear code requirements.
- NDT Records: Reports from radiographic, ultrasonic, magnetic particle, and penetrant testing, confirming the structural integrity of the casing and rotors.
- FAT Reports: Calibrated data logs from the factory run test, proving performance before the equipment ever leaves our floor.
This level of QA distinguishes our nuclear products from conventional industrial compressors. It provides the assurance needed for licensing and long-term safety assessments.
Capacity and Outlook for Hualong One
As the deployment of Hualong One reactors accelerates, supply chain stability becomes paramount. We have aligned our production capacity to meet this growing demand. According to our strategic planning, our nuclear equipment production schedule is currently mapped out through 2029.
We have invested in a dedicated nuclear equipment workshop designed to handle the cleanliness and precision requirements of these machines. This expansion allows us to support peak domestic demand, ensuring that lead times remain competitive even as new projects break ground. Whether for the TEP steam compressor, related nuclear fans, or other BOP integration needs, our early involvement in the project lifecycle helps streamline interface engineering and documentation alignment.
FAQ
Q: What is the primary function of the TEP steam compressor?
A: It compresses boric-acid-laden steam within the TEP/ZBR boron recovery loop of Hualong One PWRs. This raises the specific enthalpy of the steam, facilitating efficient heat transfer and distillation in the coolant treatment system.
Q: Are the design life and cycle figures verified?
A: Yes. The 60-year design life and >60,000 start-stop cycle capability were key targets verified during the national-level technical appraisal in 2021. These figures are backed by fatigue analysis and prototype testing.
Q: What design code is used?
A: The TEP steam compressor is designed and manufactured following an RCC-M-based framework, ensuring full alignment with the safety and quality standards of French-derived PWR nuclear islands.
Q: Can you handle the radioactive nature of the medium?
A: Absolutely. The design specifically accounts for low-level radioactivity and the corrosive nature of boric acid. We utilize specialized materials and advanced sealing systems (often double mechanical seals) to prevent environmental release.
Discuss Your TEP Steam Compressor Requirements
If you are involved in a nuclear new build or a localization project and require detailed datasheets, interface drawings, or qualification documents for the TEP steam compressor, our engineering team is ready to assist.
- Phone: 0531-83250025
- Email: wxb@blower.cn
- Online Inquiry: Contact Page
References
- Shandong Zhanggu. (2026). First domestic TEP steam compressor shipped for Hualong One boron recovery (company news). https://www.blower.cn/new_details/122.html
- Hou, T., Gao, K., Shi, C., Mo, S., & Wu, J. (2023). Research and development of the TEP steam compressor for the “Hualong One” nuclear power plant. Fengji Jishu (Fan Technology). https://s.wanfangdata.com.cn/
- Sun, Y., & Chen, K. (2017). Design and calculation of the regenerative heat exchanger in the boron recovery system for “Hualong One”. China Petroleum and Chemical Standards & Quality. https://s.wanfangdata.com.cn/
- China National Nuclear Corporation. (2025). Updates on Hualong One project milestones (Zhangzhou). https://en.cnnc.com.cn/2025-01/14/c_1064377.htm
