14.11.2018  KURSK NPP INFORMATION AND PUBLIC RELATIONS ADMINISTRATION

First large-scale equipment has been installed at Kursk NPP-2 construction site three weeks ahead of schedule

The first large-scale equipment – the core melt localization device (MLD) or the so-called melt trap – has been installed at the construction site of Kursk NPP-2 replacement plant three months ahead of schedule.

On 13 November, 2018, the MLD case weighing 170 tons was lifted 8 meters above the ground and installed directly below the reactor shaft of the innovative power unit No 1 of the generation 3+, which is being built according to the VVER-TOI project*.

The MLD is a unique project of Russian nuclear power engineers and one of the most important NPP safety systems, a special system for managing beyond-the-design basis accidents. The KuNPP-2 melt trap is a new generation device. It is adapted to the relevant site conditions and safety requirements, has high seismic resistance, hydrodynamic and impact strength, as well as protection from flooding, and it is easy to install.

In addition to the case the melt trap has fuel assemblies filled with special non-metallic materials, a service platform, a cantilever truss and a base plate.

The installation of the melt trap was carried out with the help of a large modern construction equipment – the DEMAG crawler crane that arrived from Novovoronezh NPP, where it took part in the construction of two generation 3+ units. The crane will stay at the Kursk site until the end of construction.

The Chief Engineer of Kursk NPP-2, Aleksey Volnov, while commenting on the significant event for the construction, said, “We have reached a historical milestone in the construction. Right now we are installing the melt localization device case – it is the first heavy equipment being installed here. For us, this has become a kind of teamwork test, and we confirmed that we are working as a united team.”

Currently, 22 out of 24 key tasks of 2018 have been completed at the KuNPP-2 site. The next key event in the current year will be the foundation plate reinforcement at the 2nd unit of KuNPP-2.

A first melt trap in history was installed at the Tianwan NPP, built according to the Russian design. In Russia, the traps are installed at power units of LNPP-2 and NVNPP-2.

The Generation III+ power units No 1 and No 2 of KuNPP-2 are the pilot power units that are being constructed by the VVER-TOI design (Water-Water Energy Reactor Universal Optimized Digital). This is the new design created by Russian designers (ASE Group of companies, the Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation) on the basis of the technological decisions of VVER-1200 design.

The power units of the Generation III+ possess the improved technical and economical characteristics. In comparison with power units of the previous generation (VVER-1000) the unit’s power has been increased by 25% up to 1,255 MW. The lifetime of the main equipment has been increased two times. At the expense of the high automation the personnel number has been reduced by 30-40%. In comparison with other power units of Generation III+ (power units No 1 and No 2 of Novovoronezh NPP (No 2 is under construction) and No 1 and No 2 of Leningrad NPP (No 1 is in the Low Power Testing stage, and No 2 is under construction)) the VVER-TOI design suggests the significant reduction of the construction value, terms and operating costs.

New power units of KuNPP meet the most advanced requirements of the IAEA in the area of safety. A number of the up-to-date safety systems is applied: melt trap of the active core and the system of the afterheat removal passive system that allows to cool the active core during power supply failure at the expense of the natural air circulation. In comparison with the already constructed power units of Generation III+ the VVER-TOI design has a number of the additional safety measures. Thus, the power unit is designed to stand the Magnitude 8-9 earthquake against Magnitude 7 earthquake in the VVER-1200 design.


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