Domestic research capacity is fully capable of mastering the technology for constructing cooling water systems for coal-fired thermal power plants.

First time researched, designed, and manufactured domestically

The project "Research, design, manufacture, and commissioning of cooling water systems for coal-fired thermal power plants with unit capacity up to approximately 600MW" was assigned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Science and Technology to Vietnam Machinery Installation Corporation (LILAMA) as the lead implementing entity.

Acceptance meeting of the project "Research, design, manufacture, and commissioning of cooling water systems for coal-fired thermal power plants with unit capacity up to approximately 600MW"

At the project acceptance meeting recently organized by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Mr. Do Minh Tri, Deputy General Director of Lilama18 Joint Stock Company, representing the research team, stated that this project is part of a science and technology initiative on localization of several auxiliary equipment systems for 600MW coal-fired thermal power plants.

"This is one of the pilot tasks for domestic design and manufacture of 11 auxiliary equipment systems for 3 thermal power plant projects. After the implementation process, the project has now completed the set work contents" - Mr. Do Minh Tri said.

The project results have achieved the objectives, contributing a small part to the success of the localization roadmap, creating conditions for domestic mechanical manufacturing enterprises to gradually enhance their capacity, moving towards mastering the design and manufacturing technology of auxiliary equipment for thermal power plants, and promoting the development of the domestic mechanical engineering industry.

The specific objective is to partially master the design, manufacture, installation, and successful commissioning of the cooling water system at coal-fired thermal power plants with unit capacity up to approximately 600 MW. At the same time, apply the project results to the two coal-fired thermal power projects Song Hau 1 and Quang Trach 1.

Furthermore, ensure the localization rate meets the target requirements in Decision No. 1791/QD-TTg, which stipulates that for the project, the localization rate for consulting, design, and technical services must reach 60%; equipment manufacturing and installation construction must reach 50%.

"This is the first time, through domestic self-reliance combined with foreign experts, we have researched and designed the cooling water system for a 600MW coal-fired thermal power plant" - Mr. Do Minh Tri affirmed, while sharing that the research team manufactured equipment step by step, from simple to complex, fabricating each component (suitable for technical conditions in Vietnam) combined with importing high-tech components and equipment and integrating the entire system.

Enhancing localization rate in multiple stages

According to the assessment of the Project Acceptance Council, the project has essentially met the content as per the order. Specifically, it has fully completed the quantity, volume, and product types; product quality has met the required quality indicators as registered.

Manufacturing the main cooling water pump at the factory

The project has achieved the overall objective of implementing the roadmap for localization of domestic mechanical products according to the science and technology development orientation set by the Government. Specifically, the localization rate of the project includes: Design: 51.9%; equipment manufacturing: 80%; installation, commissioning, and warranty: 100%.

The research team also stated that the approach to problems and problem-solving is innovative, applying many new scientific and technological achievements from around the world in research and calculations, such as using informatics to build numerical simulation models, including: hydraulic flow simulation; structural strength calculation; determining operating modes of pumps, valves, etc.

On this basis, the most suitable technological modes and parameters were identified and applied to the project and to the actual conditions in Vietnam. Thus, the achieved results of the project have very high reliability and accuracy.

Notably, the product "Cooling Water System" of the project has undergone practical testing, inspection, and acceptance evaluation, achieving high efficiency in the overall production of Song Hau 1 Power Plant. "The steps in calculation, design, installation, and operation of the cooling water system for this project can be fully applied to similar projects with a capacity of 600MW" - Mr. Do Minh Tri stated.

For other coal-fired thermal power projects with different capacities but using the same once-through cooling technology from river water sources, the steps in calculation, design, installation, and operation can also be used as reference material.

Accordingly, the research team recommends that the project results should be transferred and applied to other projects in Vietnam. To achieve this, coordination is needed between the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and project investors, so that domestic mechanical enterprises can continue to be suppliers for these projects.

"The State needs to boldly assign similar projects to domestic enterprises to gradually achieve self-reliance and move towards complete autonomy in technology and equipment" - Mr. Do Minh Tri said.

The success of the project has created a strong impetus for the development of science and technology, encouraging scientists and managers to jointly research and apply science to production; creating jobs and employment for workers in the Vietnamese market.

Source: Cong Thuong Newspaper