SCHOTT recently announced a partnership with Chinergy Co., Ltd. and Jiamusi Electric Machine Co., Ltd. to help support the safe and cost-efficient operation of the Shidaowan twin-reactor high-temperature reactor (HTR) through the use of ETERNALOC® electrical penetration assemblies (EPAs). SCHOTT’s electrical penetrations, made with glass-to-metal sealing technology, can reportedly be used in the primary loop of an HTR due to their ability to withstand the high temperatures and pressures of the environment.

The key function of EPAs in nuclear power plants is providing the pass-through for power, control and instrumentation cables to the thousands of instruments, control panels, electric motors, and many other electric and electronic devices within. According to SCHOTT, its glass-to-metal sealing technology allows the safe conduction of electricity through the fire-protective, pressure-resistant and hermetically sealed containment walls of nuclear power plants.

Small modular reactors (SMRs), such as the Shidaowan twin-reactor HTR facility, differ from regular small reactors in the way that they require components be manufactured or replicated in-plant for fast replacement and greater long-term cost efficiency. Leveraging decades of experience in the nuclear sector, SCHOTT’s experts reportedly provided technical support as they worked in close collaboration with the teams at Chinergy and Jiamusi Electric Machine. The result a tailored solution that supports the unique installation requirements and can withstand the harsh environment of the HTR’s primary loop.

“The incorporation of glass-to-metal sealed EPAs in the primary loop of HTRs is a promising step forward for shaping the future of next-gen nuclear power,” said Thomas Fink, general manager of SCHOTT’s Nuclear Safety Division. “Glass-sealed EPAs already represent a superior solution for ‘traditional’ nuclear power plants. They maintain uncompromised seal integrity for a qualified lifetime of 60 years. In comparison, polymer-based seals are organic and age naturally, resulting in degradation and the need for replacement over time. This presents both a cost burden and safety risk. In HTR applications, glass-sealed EPAs are the only viable feedthrough option for the primary loop as polymer can become compromised and fail under the extreme environmental stress.”

For more information, visit www.us.schott.com.