01.11.2018  THE INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATION DEPARTMENT OF NOVOVORONEZH NPP

At the pre-commissioned power unit No 2 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 the tests for consistency and strength of containment are completed

At the pre-commissioned power unit No 2 of Novovoronezh NPP-2 (No 7 of NVNPP) the tests for consistency and strength of containment are completed.

It is to be recalled that at the present time at the power unit No 2 of NvNPP-2 the key stage of the commissioning works - started on 1 August, 2018 – a cold and hot trial (CHT) of the equipment is in progress. During the CHT the whole complex of pre-commissioning tests is carried out at different parameters: the check of the reactor equipment working capacity at the design modes, the trial of the primary and secondary circuit safety systems for overpressure, the operational testing of main circulating pumps (MCP), the check of reactor unit control and safety system. The testing of reactor building envelope (containment) was carried out during the hot stage of the CHT.

During several days the testing of the reactor building envelope for consistency by exhaustion (with the help of exhaust system of ventilation for repair works and emergency) and excess pressure (with the help of superpower compressors) was carried out. In order to create a trial pressure of 4.6 kgf/cm2 the compressed air was delivered into the containment of the building. This is the excess pressure: its parameters are higher than operational pressure. During the whole process the monitoring over containment dome’s stress strain behavior was carried out.

The system of building envelope is the localizing safety system that consists of the internal and external containment dome that protects the area around the reactor unit. During the operation the double containment dome excludes the radioactive release into the environment and serves as physical protection of the reactor unit against external effects.

“According to the results of all tests we can say that the system of reactor envelope proved its consistency and strength and is ready for operation”, Vladimir Kazanskiy, the deputy chief engineer of NV NPP on construction of new power units, noted. “Thus, we are one step closer to the physical start-up of new power unit of Novovoronezh NPP.”

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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