Business news

MINSK, 29 March (BelTA) – The Volgodonsk-based branch Atommash of the Russian company AEM Technologies (part of Atomenergomash, which is the mechanical engineering division of the Russian state corporation Rosatom) has successfully completed the hydraulic testing of the lid of the first VVER-1200 reactor of the Belarusian nuclear power plant, the Atomenergomash press service told BelTA.

The hydraulic tests were carried out using a dedicated stand. The reactor lid was placed on the stand the way the lid will be placed when the reactor is assembled. The lid was then connected with the reactor vessel using double-end bolts. As part of the testing process the reactor lid experienced pressures of 24.5MPa, with the outer wall of the lid heated to 60C. The testing process confirmed the durability and the consistency of the main metal and welded seams of the reactor lid.

The reactor lid is a major component of the reactor’s upper block. The lid is designed to cover the main outlet of the reactor and prevent in-vessel devices from floating to the surface. The lid looks like a plate. On top of the lid one can find pipe sleeves for fastening all kinds of safeguard actuators. The reactor lid and the reactor vessel are designed to survive first-category seismic shocks, with the life period of 60 years.

Atomenergomash enterprises are supposed to make over 50 kinds of equipment for the two power-generating units of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The number includes core catchers, reactor units, the upper block, sets of steam generators, main circulation pipelines, main circulating pumps and other products. A total of over 4,000 tonnes of equipment will be made and shipped in 2013-2017. The reactor vessel and the steam generators for the first reactor were delivered to the customer in 2015.

Atomenergomash is the power plant engineering division of the Russian state corporation Rosatom and one of Russia’s top power plant engineering companies.

Established in 2007, AEM Technologies is part of Atomenergomash. AEM Technologies makes equipment for nuclear energy industry, heat energy industry, gas, oil and chemical industries. AEM Technologies has an engineering division in Saint Petersburg and two manufacturing divisions in Petrozavodsk and Volgodonsk.

The Belarusian nuclear power plant is a project to build an AES-2006 type nuclear power plant 18km away from Ostrovets, Grodno Oblast. The BelNPP will have two power-generating units with the total output capacity of up to 2,400MW (2x1,200MW). In line with the general contract for building the nuclear power plant the first power-generating unit is scheduled for commissioning in 2018, with the second one to go online in 2020.