Name: Ulchin-3 Nuclear Power Reactor (울진 원자력발전소 3호기)
Location: Puguri, Puk-myŏn, Ulchin-kun, North Kyŏngsang Province, South Korea
Address: 84-4 Puguri, Puk-myŏn, Ulchin-kun, North Kyŏngsang Province, 767-701, South Korea
Telephone Number: +82-54-785-2114
Subordinate to: Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Ltd. (한국수력원자력주)
Size: 1,000MW(e) pressurized light water reactor (PWR)
Primary Function: Production of electricity
Description: Ulchin-3 is South Korea’s 13th nuclear power plant. Construction for Ulchin-3 began in May 1992 and the reactor began commercial operations in August 1998. Ulchin-3 was constructed under the third phase of South Korea’s nuclear power program which called for self reliance in nuclear technology. Under this phase, South Korea planned to standardize the design of nuclear power plants and achieve technological self-sufficiency. In order to meet these goals, the Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) concluded a ten-year technology transfer agreement with ABB-CE in 1987. Beginning with the construction of Yŏnggwang-3 in December 1989, KEPCO used Korean firms as primary contractors for the provision of major equipment and engineering services. Foreign firms serving as subcontractors were selected through competitive bidding and required a technology transfer agreement as part of the contract.
Ulchin-3 is a two-loop light water pressurized reactor and is the first Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant (KSNP), which is a modified and improved version of the Yŏnggwang-3 basic design. The plan to develop the KSNP included the use of enhanced safety features and proven technology, simplicity in design, and improved performance. In addition, the improvements in design were made to correspond with updated licensing requirements and industry codes and standards. Some key features of the KSNP include a safety depressurization system, new equipment to more accurately measure the level of reactor coolant, improved chemical and volume control systems, simplification of operational procedures, and the use of digital technology for the control systems. Ulchin-3 was constructed under the same contractual scheme as Yŏnggwang-3 and -4, but with greater participation by Korean firms. ABB-CE provided the main components of the reactor, the coolant pumps, the plant protection and safety systems, design work, and engineering services. Korean Heavy Industries and Construction Company (Hanjung) manufactured the reactor vessel, steam generators, pressurizers, and jointly developed the turbine generator with GE. Korea Power Engineering Company (KOPEC) worked with Sargent & Lundy to provide architect and engineering services.
Key sources: Ministry of Science and Technology, <http://www.most.go.kr>; Ministry of Science and Technology, Wŏnjaryŏk Anjŏnbaeksŏ (Seoul: MOST, 2003); Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP),“ Hansuwŏn Paljŏnsohyŏnghwang,” <http://www.khnp.co.kr/korea_map/korea.html>; Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), “Hŏesa Soge,” <http://www.khnp.co.kr/company/company_c.html>; Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), “Ulchin Wŏnjaryŏ Ponbu,” <http://www.khnp.co.kr/ulchin/index.jsp>; Regis A. Matzie and Ki In Han, “The Evolutionary Development of Advanced Reactors,” The Uranium Institute Twenty Third Annual International Symposium 1998, World Nuclear Association Symposium Proceedings, <http://www.world-nuclear.org/sym/1998/matzie.htm>; “Facts About the Korean Standard Nuclear Power Plant Offered to North Korea,” Federation of American Scientists, 2 May 1995, <http://www.fas.org/news/dprk/1995/bg133.html>; “Most of Ulchin-3 and -4 to Be Made Domestically,” Nuclear News, September 1991, p. 78, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; “Ulchin-3 Connected to Grid Ahead of Schedule,” Nuclear News, February 1998, p. 60, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>; David Stellfox, “ABB-C-E Wins Korean Contract for Two More System-80 PWRs,” Nucleonics Week, 25 July 1991, p. 1, in Lexis-Nexis, <http://web.lexis-nexis.com>.
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Updated September 2004 |
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