Rosatom Begins Reactor Control Assembly at Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant's Fourth Unit
Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom has begun control assembly work on the VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel for the fourth power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) under construction in Turkey. The assembly is being carried out at the Atommash facilities of Rosatom's Machine-Building Division.
Rosatom, Russia's state nuclear energy corporation, has commenced control assembly work on the VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel for the fourth power unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) under construction in Turkey. Assembly is being conducted at the Atommash facility, which belongs to Rosatom's Machinery Manufacturing Division.
Reactor Assembly and Technical Details
Control assembly represents the final stage of the reactor production cycle spanning three years. During the work, the reactor pressure vessel is positioned vertically within a special stand-caisson and then the product is assembled.
The 12-meter internal shaft of the reactor, likened to a Matryoshka doll, has protective devices and a protective tube block installed inside when lowered to the station for nuclear fuel loading. The assembly process brings together over 100 components, and the total weight of the assembled reactor is recorded at approximately 600 tonnes.
Following placement of all components, specialists perform metrological measurements using lasers to verify that equipment is correctly positioned and will operate stably throughout its service life.
250th Reactor for Akkuyu NPP
Sergei Butckikh, General Director of Akkuyu NPP, stated the following on the matter:
"Russian nuclear industry enterprises are reliable suppliers for the nuclear power plant project in Turkey. The efficiency of the manufactured equipment is proven by decades of successful operational experience at nuclear power plants worldwide. This guarantees long-term and stable operation of Akkuyu's energy units."
The fourth reactor holds the distinction of being the 250th reactor produced in Russian nuclear industry history. The first reactor was the F-1 reactor, created in Moscow in 1946 under the leadership of Igor Kurchatov.
Future Projects from Rosatom
Igor Kotov, Head of Rosatom's Machinery Manufacturing Division, commented on the assembly process as follows:
"Our products have powered hundreds of nuclear power units in Russia and worldwide and have supplied heat and electricity to millions of people. We have larger projects ahead; one is commissioning the world's first fourth-generation energy complex in Seversk, and another is developing floating nuclear power plants for the Russian energy fleet."
Gallery
