GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy said it has orders from Japan for submersible, steam-powered pumps that operate during a power station power blackout.
The Turbine Water Lubricated pumps are made by SPX manufacturing unit ClydeUnion Pumps, PowerEngineering reported
The pumps are steam powered and are designed to keep pumping even during a power outage. In addition, they operate while completely under water, the report said.
The pumps also feature “compact design, simplified turbine controls, reduced maintenance requirements and the ability to operate with no external electrical power.”
An order for two pumps has been shipped to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant, which is owned by the Tokyo Electric Power Company, owners of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant that suffered a three-reactor meltdown in 2011, when its backup power system failed due to a tsunami event that flooded the facility.
Tepco has ordered two additional pumps for the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant. GEH has also secured orders for delivery to the Chugoku Electric Power Company and the Tohuku Electric Power Company, operators of the Shimane Nuclear Power Plant and the Onagawa and Higashidori Nuclear Power Plants, respectively.