Tank Set Engineering Design Work Contract Awarded For EDF’s Hinkley Point C Nuclear Power Station

Phil Black - PII Editor 19/09/2016

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Harris Pye UK Ltd has been awarded a contract by GE Steam Power Systems for engineering design work on two tank sets, including all required services, for the turbine halls of EdF’s Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in Somerset, UK. Manufacturing contracts will follow, now that the final decision has been taken on Hinkley Point C.

“This is the first nuclear-related project we have taken on for a number of years, and demonstrates our commitment to supporting the nuclear industry in the UK,” says Chris David, Harris Pye Group Chief Technical Officer.

“There is no doubt that our extensive experience in steel fabrication, with an emphasis on pressure vessels, and the fact that we are ASME, API, EN and ISO 9001 compliant were factors in this contract win. Pressure vessels such as these are part of our core business.

“Naturally the detailed documentation trail, that is an integral part of our Global Integrated Management System, will play a role now as we work on the design phase of the contract, and then on manufacturing and service.

“We are delighted to be working with GE Steam Power Systems on this prestigious and high profile project, and look forward to strengthening the relationship to the mutual benefit of our two companies. We are already working on the design using cutting edge design software.”

Each tank set comprises a flash tank; horizontal head tank; vertical H2 gas separator tank; horizontal service air receiver tank; two horizontal control air receiver tanks; horizontal hydraulic seals tank; horizontal demineralised water storage tank; vertical surge tank; and a horizontal buffer tank. As well as mechanical designs, the design contract encompasses risk analysis, calculations and drafting.

With the UK government having given the go ahead for this project Harris Pye sees the building of the Hinkley Point station as a major opportunity to expand on its current exposure in the land-based power generation sector, which has been growing steadily over the last three years.

Without doubt this increasing work load will result in Harris Pye boosting its local workforce significantly, as well as expanding on its current commitment to graduate training, the apprenticeship programme and in-house welding and boiler making schools.There will also be a major boost to the local supply chain.