Zhejiang Runhui New Materials Co., Ltd.
Zhejiang Runhui New Materials Co., Ltd., headquartered in Anji, Zhejiang Province, has established itself as a leading manufacturer of advanced aerogel-based insulation materials, specializing in solutions for critical industries. With a 30,000-square-meter production facility and a research team of over 200 engineers, the company operates a key laboratory for special fiber paper-based functional materials and a new materials research center. Focused on developing nuclear-grade aerogel products, Runhui integrates proprietary nano-porous silica technology with rigorous quality controls to meet the extreme demands of nuclear environments. The company's commitment to regulatory compliance and technological innovation has positioned its Aerogel Blanket as a trusted solution for nuclear power applications, combining ultra-low thermal conductivity with exceptional radiation resistance and mechanical durability.
Runhui's Aerogel Blanket leverages nano-porous silica aerogel technology, engineered to address the unique challenges of nuclear power plants:
Ultra-Low Thermal Conductivity: Maintaining a thermal conductivity of 0.018 W/m·K at 25°C, the blanket minimizes heat transfer in reactor vessels and high-temperature piping systems. This property is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and preventing thermal stress in nuclear components.
Enhanced Radiation Resistance: Specialized formulations incorporate radiation-stabilizing additives, enabling the blanket to withstand cumulative ionizing radiation doses up to 10⁶ Gy without significant degradation. This ensures long-term reliability in reactor containment zones.
Fire and Corrosion Resistance: Certified to A1 fireproof standards, the blanket resists combustion and meets strict fire safety requirements in nuclear facilities. Its hydrophobic nature (water absorption <0.5%) prevents moisture-induced degradation in humid environments near cooling systems.
Mechanical Durability: Reinforced with fiberglass or carbon fiber matrices, the blanket withstands vibrations and mechanical stress in reactor buildings. This structural integrity is essential for maintaining performance during normal operations and emergency conditions.
International and National Application Standards in Nuclear Power
IAEA Safety Standards: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) sets foundational guidelines for nuclear facility design, emphasizing materials' fire resistance, radiation tolerance, and chemical stability. Runhui's Aerogel Blanket complies with IAEA Safety Series No. 110, which specifies thermal insulation requirements for nuclear power plants to ensure safety and operational efficiency.
ISO 17889-1: This international standard addresses thermal insulation materials for nuclear applications, outlining criteria for thermal performance, radiation resistance, and outgassing properties. Runhui's products undergo rigorous testing to meet ISO 17889-1.
ASME Code Section III: The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) defines design standards for nuclear components. Runhui's aerogel blankets are certified for use in ASME Class 1 and Class 2 nuclear systems, ensuring compatibility with reactor pressure vessels, steam generators, and auxiliary circuits.
GB 6566-2010: China's national standard for radioactive materials in building products requires nuclear-grade insulations to have negligible radioactive nuclide content. Runhui's Aerogel Blanket undergoes strict testing to comply with GB 6566-2010, confirming it does not contribute to radioactive contamination in nuclear facilities.
EJ/T 1168-2005: This Chinese nuclear industry standard specifies thermal insulation requirements for nuclear power plants, covering thermal conductivity, fire resistance, and long-term stability. Runhui's products meet EJ/T 1168-2005 for use in reactor primary and secondary circuits, ensuring reliability in high-temperature and high-pressure environments.
HAD 102/03: China's nuclear safety regulation on fire protection mandates insulation materials to have a fire rating not lower than Class A. Runhui's A1-certified blankets exceed this requirement, providing enhanced fire safety in nuclear installations.
Key Application Standards for Aerogel Blanket in Nuclear Power
Radiation Tolerance Testing:
Runhui's Aerogel Blanket undergoes gamma radiation testing up to 10⁶ Gy at independent laboratories, evaluating changes in thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, and dimensional stability. This testing confirms the material's reliability in reactor containment areas where cumulative radiation exposure is significant.
Thermal Stability at Elevated Temperatures:
The blanket maintains thermal conductivity below 0.025 W/m·K at 500°C, meeting requirements for insulation in reactor coolant systems (RCS) where temperatures can reach 300–400°C. This stability prevents thermal degradation and ensures consistent performance over the material's service life.
Outgassing and Toxicity Controls:
Materials in nuclear facilities must have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Runhui's aerogel blankets pass ASTM E595 outgassing tests, with total mass loss <1.0% and collected volatile condensable materials (CVCM) <0.1%. This compliance is critical for maintaining air quality in containment zones and preventing contamination of nuclear systems.
Fire Protection and Containment:
In compliance with HAD 102/03, aerogel blankets are installed with fire-stopping systems to prevent flame spread. Runhui provides detailed installation guides aligning with the use of fire-resistant adhesives, seals, and intumescent materials to maintain compartmentalization.
Leak Tightness and Contamination Control:
The blanket's hydrophobic properties prevent moisture ingress, reducing risks of mold growth and corrosion in pipe insulation. This aligns with EJ/T 1168-2005's requirements for moisture resistance in wet steam environments, ensuring long-term reliability in secondary cooling systems.
Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding:
In areas near control systems, aerogel blankets can be integrated with conductive layers to provide EMI shielding, complying with GB/T 18658-2015 for electromagnetic compatibility in nuclear facilities. This prevents interference with sensitive instrumentation and control systems.
ISO 9001 and Nuclear Quality Management:
Runhui's production processes adhere to ISO 9001:2015, with additional nuclear-specific quality controls per HAF 003. Each batch of aerogel blankets is traceable through material certificates, radiation testing reports, and manufacturing records, ensuring full traceability and accountability.
Third-Party Certification:
Products undergo rigorous certification by China's Nuclear Power Engineering Company (CNPEC) and international bodies. These certifications validate compliance with domestic and international nuclear safety standards, facilitating integration into global nuclear projects.
Emergency Preparedness Standards:
Aerogel blankets maintain structural integrity during design basis accidents (DBAs). Thermal shock testing (-40°C to 300°C cycles) verifies performance under extreme conditions, aligning with ASME Section III, Division 1 requirements for accident-tolerant materials.
Application Scenarios and Technical Specifications
Technical Requirements:
Insulation in RCS components must withstand 300–400°C temperatures, high pressure, and continuous radiation exposure. Runhui's aerogel blankets, reinforced with stainless steel mesh, meet these demands while minimizing heat loss to improve thermal efficiency.
Compliance Highlights:
The blankets comply with ASME Code Section III for Class 1 components, ensuring they do not compromise reactor safety or operational reliability. Their low thermal conductivity reduces thermal stresses in pipes, extending component lifespan.
Functionality:
Containment vessel insulation must prevent heat transfer and maintain structural integrity during normal operations and accident conditions. Runhui's aerogel blankets, combined with fire-resistant coatings, provide thermal insulation and fire protection in containment zones.
Regulatory Alignment:
Compliance with IAEA Safety Series No. 110 ensures the blankets support containment integrity, while their radiation resistance meets long-term operational requirements in high-radiation environments.
Key Challenges:
Spent fuel pool cooling systems require materials with low water absorption and radiation resistance. Runhui's hydrophobic aerogel blankets with stainless steel cladding address these needs, maintaining thermal performance in wet, high-radiation environments.
Testing Compliance:
The blankets undergo rigorous testing for water absorption (ASTM D570) and radiation tolerance, confirming compliance with GB 6566-2010 and IAEA guidelines for spent fuel management.
Aerogel Blanket in Nuclear Power Projects
Third-Generation Nuclear Power Plants (HPR1000)
Project Requirement:
Insulation for reactor pressure vessels and steam generator systems in HPR1000 plants needed materials to withstand 10⁶ Gy radiation and 350°C temperatures.
Runhui's Solution:
Customized aerogel blankets with carbon fiber reinforcement, certified to EJ/T 1168-2005 and ASME Code Section III. The design incorporated a multi-layered structure to optimize thermal performance and radiation resistance.
Compliance Outcomes:
Reduced heat loss by 40% compared to traditional ceramic fiber insulations. Long-term operational reviews (10+ years) showed zero radiation-induced degradation, validating material reliability.
Nuclear Power Plant Retrofit Projects
Challenge:
Upgrading insulation in a 20-year-old nuclear plant to meet updated fire safety standards (HAD 102/03) while replacing asbestos-containing materials.
Runhui's Approach:
Replaced legacy insulations with aerogel blankets, integrating fire-stopping systems and conducting thorough thermal modeling to optimize insulation placement.
Result:
Achieved Class A fire rating compliance, reduced annual energy consumption by 15%, and improved worker safety by eliminating asbestos exposure. Certification by CNPEC confirmed compliance with revised standards.
Advanced Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)
Application:
Insulation for SMR primary systems, requiring lightweight, high-performance materials to support compact reactor designs.
Runhui's Innovation:
Developed ultra-lightweight aerogel blankets (180 kg/m³) with enhanced radiation resistance, meeting the stringent space and weight constraints of SMRs.
Performance Metrics:
Met IAEA safety standards for SMRs, with thermal conductivity maintaining <0.020 W/m·K at 300°C, enabling efficient heat management in modular reactor designs.
Regulatory Challenges and Mitigation Strategies
Stringent Radiation Resistance Requirements
Challenge:
Ensuring material stability under cumulative radiation doses exceeding 10⁶ Gy, particularly in long-life nuclear facilities.
Mitigation:
Runhui collaborates with Tsinghua University's Nuclear Energy Institute to develop nano-composite aerogels with enhanced radiation tolerance. Pilot testing of silica-titania nano-composites shows potential for 10⁷ Gy resistance, exceeding current industry standards.
Compliance with Evolving International Standards
Challenge:
Adapting to updated IAEA guidelines on nuclear material sustainability and circular economy practices.
Mitigation:
A dedicated regulatory affairs team monitors global standards updates, with R&D prioritizing compliance with upcoming ISO 17889-2 revisions. Runhui participates in international standards development committees to influence criteria for aerogel materials.
Cost-Effectiveness in Nuclear-Grade Materials
Challenge:
Balancing high-performance requirements with cost constraints in nuclear projects, where budgetary pressures are significant.
Mitigation:
Economies of scale through automated production lines and material optimization have reduced nuclear-grade aerogel costs by 30% since 2020. Runhui's modular design approach allows cost-effective customization for different nuclear applications.
Integration with Digital Twins and Smart Monitoring
Standard Development:
Future standards may require IoT-enabled aerogel blankets for real-time radiation and temperature monitoring, aligning with Industry 4.0 in nuclear power. This would enable predictive maintenance and performance optimization.
Runhui's R&D:
Developing aerogel blankets with embedded sensors compliant with IEC 61511 for safety instrumented systems. These sensors will monitor thermal performance and radiation exposure, providing real-time data for plant management systems.
Sustainable Nuclear-Grade Materials
Environmental Standards:
Emerging guidelines on lifecycle assessment (LCA) for nuclear materials may require aerogel products to have >90% recyclability. Runhui is addressing this through mechanical recycling technologies for end-of-life aerogel blankets.
Certification Progress:
Collaborating with SGS to achieve EU Ecolabel for nuclear-grade aerogels by 2026, demonstrating environmental sustainability alongside safety and performance.
Advanced Testing Protocols for Extreme Conditions
New Test Methods:
Standards may incorporate testing for aerogel performance under combined radiation, temperature, and pressure conditions simulating severe accidents (core meltdown scenarios).
Runhui's Preparedness:
Upgrading testing facilities to have combined environmental chambers for multi-factor stress testing, ensuring materials meet future accident-tolerance standards.
Aerogel Blanket as a Cornerstone of Nuclear Safety
Zhejiang Runhui New Materials Co., Ltd.'s Aerogel Blanket has established itself as a compliant and reliable solution for nuclear power applications, adhering to rigorous international and national standards. By integrating technological innovation with regulatory compliance, Runhui ensures its products meet the highest safety requirements in reactor operations, spent fuel management, and nuclear facility maintenance.
As global nuclear power capacity expands-driven by clean energy goals-standards for insulation materials will continue to evolve, emphasizing radiation resistance, fire safety, and sustainability. Runhui's commitment to R&D and collaboration with nuclear research institutions positions it to lead in developing next-generation aerogel solutions that align with emerging standards, ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of nuclear power infrastructure.
For nuclear power operators and engineering firms seeking compliant insulation solutions, Runhui's Aerogel Blanket offers a proven combination of technical performance, regulatory compliance, and lifecycle reliability.