25.02.2022
24 February saw the completion of one of the most important construction stages, namely the welding of the main coolant pipeline (MCP), in the reactor compartment of Power Unit No. 1 at the construction site of the Rooppur NPP in the People's Republic of Bangladesh (the General Designer and General Contractor of which is the Engineering Division of the Rosatom State Corporation).
MCP installation started on 15 December 2021, welding, heat treatment and nondestructive testing lasted for 72 days and were handed over to the Customer. Currently, austenitic stainless steel is being laid over internal welds to protect the pipeline against a hostile environment.
“MCP welding is always paid special attention, since the entire Power Unit’s Reactor Plant Hydraulic Testing Schedule builds on the completion date for the process,” emphasized Mr. Alexey Deriy, Director of the Rooppur NPP Construction Project, Vice-President of ASE JSC. “I would like to particularly note that welding the perlitic part of the MCP in 72 days confirms that one of the most complex processes of constructing a nuclear power unit has been competently organized in full compliance with the Rosatom's production system design.”
The main coolant pipeline is 160 m long and 850 mm in diameter. A 70-mm thick wall withstands an operating pressure of 17.6 MPa and a temperature of 350℃. It is through the pipeline that the water heated in the reactor gets into steam generators for the steam to enter the turbine and produce 1.2 GW of electricity.
Requirements established for welded joints of the MCP (28 butt ends) are particularly stringent, since the Power Unit’s operation safety and efficiency depends on the quality of welding works. In implementing the construction project, experience (more than 70 improvement proposals) gained by Russian specialists at Power Units of the Kalininskaya NPP, Rostovskaya NPP, Novovoronezh NPP-2 and Belarusian NPP was taken into account at Power Unit No. 1 of the Rooppur NPP. Before the MCP installation started, the entire technological process was thoroughly examined by specialists of the Energospetsmontazh JSC. The careful completion of the preparation stage and competent work organization, as well as the highest qualifications of specialists of the Energospetsmontazh JSC made it possible to achieve the milestone in record time.
March will witness the completion of overlay works that finish the most important stage of constructing a high-power VVER-1200 NPP, that is, the connection of the main pipeline with the main equipment of the reactor plant. Once Quality Plans are signed by the Customer—the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), activities will start to prepare the primary circuit systems and equipment of Power Unit No. 1 of the Rooppur NPP for the open reactor circulation and, subsequently, for the physical start-up of the Power Unit.
Communications Division
Rosatom State Corporation Engineering Division
For reference:
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-power 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 VVER reactors that are in line with all international requirements and recommendations.
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