11.07.2018  THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT OF NOVOVORONEZH NPP

Novovoronezh NPP: a new refueling machine is put into service at the power unit 5

At the power unit No 5 of Novovoronezh NPP (NVNPP), the new refueling machine has carried out its first operation. Within the framework of preventive maintenance it transported the spent fuel to the reprocessing plant.

The modernized 40-ton refueling machine with electronic control system replaced the unit that had been working since 1980. This stage of power unit modernization has strengthened the control over the process of working with nuclear fuel.

The refueling machine was manufactured in a single copy in Volgodonsk (Rostov Oblast) at the Polesie enterprise specifically for the power unit No 5 of NVNPP. The refueling machine and its software were developed by Diakont Company (St. Petersburg). It allowed for all the works with nuclear fuel to be carried out with the help of a video camera placed on the lowered part of the device. The process is managed by a specially trained and certified operator.

“This machine is unique; the pointing accuracy is now specified in the program control, all coordinates are worked out, the force is controlled. The management of the machine became easier, the time of operations reduced; the entire process is controlled by the automatics, and as a result, the main priority of the power unit operation – safety – has increased”, Oleg Yerusov, the Chief Engineer for Centralized Repair Shop Repair and Operation Department of NVNPP, stated.

The scheduled preventive maintenance at the power unit No 5 of NVNPP is to be carried out within 36 days.

Novovoronezh NPP is a branch of Rosenergoatom JSC (a part of the largest Division of Rosatom State Corporation – Electric Power Division). The Plant is situated on the River Don bank 42 km South of Voronezh. This is the first NPP of Russia with VVER type reactors (Water-Water Power Reactors of containment type with water under pressure). Three reactors of the Plant are the main ones – the prototypes of the serial power reactors. The first power unit was commissioned in 1964, the second one - in 1969, the third one – in 1971, the fourth one – in 1972, and the fifth one – in 1980.

The power units No 1 and No 2 were shut down in 1984 and 1990, respectively. The power unit No 3 was shut down in 2016 for the decommissioning events. The power unit No 4 was shut down for modernization works. The power unit No 1 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 was commissioned on 27 February, 2017. The power unit No 2 is in the stage of commissioning works.

The latest information about radiation situation near Russian NPPS and other nuclear power facilities can be seen at www.russianatom.ru


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