Chinese heavy industry giant produces world’s largest nuclear power unit motor

Since the start of the Chinese New Year on January 29, China First Heavy Industries (CFHI), located in the industrial hub of Qiqihar in northeast China, has already ramped up its operations, with the world's largest 700-ton nuclear power rotor just being forged.

Despite the freezing temperatures outside, forging operations at a CFHI workshop is in full swing with heat radiating from the furnace. The world's largest mass-produced steel ingot was slowly emerging from the furnace towering over 20 meters high, reaching a blistering 1,200 degrees Celsius. This massive piece will be manufactured into one of the most critical components of nuclear power units -- the rotor.

Its manufacturing complexity lies in the overall forging process. The steel ingot required for this part is the largest in size, with the heaviest billet and the biggest cross-section size. The technical standards for this process are extremely demanding. The pre-forging heating alone requires temperatures of over 1,200 degrees and takes three days to complete. After coming out of the furnace, the piece is subjected to the immense pressure of a 15,000-ton forging press, repeatedly squeezed like dough to ensure the internal and external materials meet all performance standards.

"Its large size isn't just about its weight and shape. More importantly, it's about the internal quality. It's like kneading dough -- achieving consistency from the inside out is a challenging task. The CFHI has fully mastered this technique now," said Wang Lizhong, director of casting technology workshop at CFHI Steel Casting and Forging Department.

Currently, only two companies worldwide can produce such giant nuclear equipment. The breakthrough in key technology has led to an influx of orders, with production lines running full throttle to keep up with the demands.

"This product is in short supply. Our orders are already scheduled until 2027. In the new year so far, we have kept receiving quite enough orders. Since the beginning of February, we've already produced over 3,000 tons of forged parts, setting a new record," said Ge Shuyi, director of the Production Management Department at CFHI.

Thanks to management improvements and process optimizations, the forging cycle for these products has been shortened from 45 days to about 30 days, boosting efficiency by 30 percent and significantly lowering costs.

The rough billets will then be processed for primary shaping. Now the CFHI can produce eight rotors per year, the largest capacity globally, according to Ge.

Chinese heavy industry giant produces world’s largest nuclear power unit motor

Chinese heavy industry giant produces world’s largest nuclear power unit motor

The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.

In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.

"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.

Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.

The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."

Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.

President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.

Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.

Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.

The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.

Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests