Advanced manufacturing technology is constantly absorbing all kinds of advanced technology based on traditional manufacturing technology, in order to achieve high quality, high efficiency and low energy consumption, clean production, flexible manufacturing technology, which improves the market adaptability and competitiveness. With the rapid development of nuclear power industry, advanced manufacturing technology has been widely integrated into the nuclear power industry, and effectively promoted the development of nuclear power.

Against this background, the twenty-fifth International Nuclear Engineering Conference (ICONE 25) held an expert forum on the theme on "Advanced manufacturing". Several experts have been invited to participate in the keynote speeches, and share their research progress, direction and application of nuclear power equipment in the field of advanced manufacturing.

Advanced manufacturing promotes the development of the next generation nuclear power plants

Mr. Craig Stover (EPRI, US Electric Power Research Institute, Technical Leader): The concept of "advanced manufacturing promoting the development of the next generation of nuclear power plants" has attracted widespread attention. EPRI focuses on the following four aspects:

1) Develop/Demonstrate New Methods for Manufacture/ Fabrication of a Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) in less than 12 months;

2) Eliminate 40% from the cost of an SMR RPV, While reducing the Schedule by 18 Months;

3) Accelerating the development of small reactors;

4) Technological innovations are applied to small reactors, advanced pressurized water reactors and fourth generation reactors.

Mr. Craig Stover introduced some advanced manufacturing technology such as PM-HIP (powder metallurgy hot isostatic pressing technology), EBW (electron beam welding) applying in the reactor pressure vessel manufacturing, which reduce manufacturing cost, shorten the manufacturing cycle.

Additive manufacturing is the developing trend of manufacturing industry

Dr. He Xiaoming (SNERDI, Shanghai nuclear engineering research and Design Institute, Doctor) suggested that additive manufacturing can be applied in many industrial fields, and the technology is the development trend of the manufacturing industry, which can update the design concept, remodel design method. He introduced that SNERDI used additive manufacturing in SMR fuel storage rack. The design has the advantages of simple structure, good manufacturing, no radiation and corrosion problems, high structural strength and more storage space. At the same time, additive manufacturing is an advanced technology, and the relevant standards need to be improved to ensure that it can be reliably applied in the nuclear industry.

The fourth generation of advanced reactor materials requires more stringent temperature, pressure and metering requirements

Mr. Cristian Marciulescu (EPRI, US Electric Power Research Institute, Principal Technical Leader) pointed out that the fourth generation of advanced reactor material needs to meet higher temperature, pressure, dose requirements. Compared to PWR, the coolant temperature of the fourth generation reactor is much higher, and the outlet temperature is at least 500 degrees centigrade. Moreover, strong corrosion, high energy density and high throughput fluxes are also great challenges for materials.

Identify technical differences and strengthen specializing management

Mr. Cailin Jiang (Minister of Technology Department Shanghai electric Nuclear Power Equipment Co. Ltd.): Shanghai electric Nuclear Power Equipment Co. Ltd. products cover 300,000 KW, 600,000 KW to 1,000,000 KW including two generation and three generation nuclear power technology. He pointed out that the advanced nuclear power manufacturing process and supporting measures, perfect quality assurance system, specializing management safeguard advanced manufacturing supporting the development of nuclear power.

The summit forum is an important component of ICONE25 cutting-edge technology in the application of nuclear power, which will provide important reference for the development of the nuclear power manufacturing technology. At the same time, the application of advanced manufacturing technology in nuclear power can effectively improve quality and efficiency of nuclear power construction, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve the reliability and market competitiveness of nuclear power.