05.08.2025
One of the key stages of cold and hot functional tests has been completed during a set of commissioning activities, such as blowdown of the fresh steam pipelines in the turbine compartment at Unit 1 of the Rooppur NPP in the People's Republic of Bangladesh (its general contractor and designer being the Rosatom Engineering Division).
Such tests are mandatory before conducting further operations and required to ensure reliable and safe operation of the turbine equipment during NPP operation.
The blowdown was carried out using fresh steam under 2.0 MPa pressure and 200 °C temperature. These parameters were selected taking into account the design requirements and ensured reliable cleaning of the pipelines from possible residual moisture, process contaminants and mechanical particles.
The tests came with the steam discharged into the atmosphere and noise, which was absolutely anticipated by and safe for the public.
This will be followed by the repeated blowdown of the steam pipelines with an increased volume of fresh steam which will allow for the final cleaning of the main lines and specify the equipment operating parameters under a near-operational load.
“With the completion of this stage of commissioning works, the Rooppur NPP takes another step towards the pivotal event, such as launching of power unit No. 1 and its subsequent connection to the power grid, which will supply the country's residents with additional energy, vital for both the economy and industry. In the future, the Rooppur NPP built according to the latest Russian VVER-1200 design, is expected to supply Bangladesh with up to 10% of clean energy for decades to come,” said Alexey Deriy, Atomstroyexport JSC Vice President for Projects in Bangladesh.
For reference:
Rooppur NPP equipped with two VVER-1200 reactors of the total 2400 MW capacity is being constructed under the Russian design 160 km from Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, in accordance with General Contract dated December 25, 2015. The Russian design of with VVER-1200 reactors has been selected for first NPP in Bangladesh. Rosatom's top-of-the-line VVER-1200 reactors have already proven their efficiency and reliability in the operation of reference power units. This is an evolutionary Gen III+ design which fully complies with all international safety requirements. Currently, six power units are being operated on the basis of such reactors, including four power units in Russia and two ones in the Republic of Belarus. Construction of nuclear power plants under Russian technology is underway in Egypt, Hungary, Turkey and China.
