06.07.2023
Power Unit No. 5 of the Kudankulam NPP constructed in India under the Russian WWER-1000 reactor-type NPP design saw the first component of the nuclear reactor core melt localization device (CMLD, core catcher), an essential part of the prevention system ensuring the safety of beyond-design-basis accidents, installed in the design position.
The core catcher installed on supports under the reactor vessel is made as a globe-bottom container that weighs more than 156 metric tons. The total weight of the entire device exceeds 800 metric tons. Apart from a casing, the main CMLD components include: cartridge units filled with special non-metallic materials, maintenance platform, cantilever truss and bottom plate.
As part of preparations for the device installation, a significant scope of work was completed, in particular, the second concrete layer and sealing liners were placed in the melt localization pit, an embedded part was installed in the pit, and the reactor cavity was concreted from elevation point +1.700 to elevation point +6.300. Direct catcher installation work started after a permit from the Indian regulator had been obtained.
‘It brought us an exceptional pleasure when, during expert discussions currently taking place at the construction site, the Indian Party invited all participants to come to a large window and to observe the catcher being raised before the installation’, intimated Mikhail Novikov, Director of Indian Projects, Atomstroyexport JSC. ‘Such moments vividly display the results of our activities and the progress of the Kudankulam NPP construction’.
The Power Unit 5 core catcher was delivered by the Russian Party to the Kudankulam NPP by a cargo vessel in January 2023.
The core melt localization device is a Russian invention, part of the passive safety system, it is intended to prevent radioactive substances from entering the environment in case of a severe accident followed by the reactor vessel destruction. The core catcher is able to contain liquid and solid fragments of the core and structural materials of the reactor for an indefinitely long time keeping a nuclear power plant safe for the environment and people. The core catcher installation operation is one of the critical path activities in the schedule, the completion of which makes it possible to construct the reactor cavity further.
A short profile of the Kudankulam NPP Project:
Power Units Nos. 3-4 and 5-6 are Stage 2 and Stage 3 of the Kudankulam NPP constructed under the NPP-92 design featuring a WWER-1000 reactor plant. Technical solutions implemented in the Kudankulam NPP design outline the ways of further evolutionary development of Power Units of high-capacity NPPs equipped with WWER reactors, and transition to the creation of a brand new, reliable, safe and cost-effective Power Unit.
New Power Units of the Kudankulam NPP meet the latest IAEA safety requirements.
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited acts as Employer (Technical Customer of the Project). ASE JSC is General Designer and Equipment Supplier.
Currently, Power Units Nos. 1-2 of the Kudankulam NPP are operating at full capacity established by the dispatch schedule.
Russia is consistently developing international trade and economic relations focusing on cooperation with friendly countries. Despite external restrictions, the national economy is growing its export potential, and completes deliveries of goods, services and raw materials across the whole world.
Communications Division
Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division
For information:
The Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division unites the leading companies of the nuclear industry, namely: Atomstroyexport JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, branch offices in Russia and abroad), the Joint Design Institute Atomenergoproekt JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, and St. Petersburg branch offices (design institutes), branch offices in Russia and abroad, surveying branch offices), and subsidiary construction companies.
The Engineering Division ranks first in the world by the order portfolio and the number of NPPs constructed simultaneously across the world.
About 80% of the Division’s revenues originate from foreign projects.
The Engineering Division implements construction projects for high-capacity NPPs in Russia and across the world, renders a full range of EPC, EP, and EPC(M) services including project management and design activities, and develops Multi-D technologies for the management of complex engineering facilities. The Division relies on the achievements of the Russian nuclear industry and modern innovative technologies.
We construct reliable and safe NPPs equipped with III+ generation WWER reactors that are in line with all international requirements and recommendations.
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