25.03.2016
Novovoronezh NPP Information and Public Relations Administration
An innovative NPP-2006 power generation unit has been physically launched at the Novovoronezh NPP
Core fueling into the VVER-1200 has been started as a part of the physical innovative power generation unit No.6 (No. 1 LM NPP-2) start-up program at the Novovoronezh NPP. The power plant staff has embarked on the works as set forth in the nuclear power plant operation license issued by the Rostechnadzor.
A set of works has preceded the first phase of the physical innovative NPP-2006 power generation unit start-up, specifically, the fuel assembly covers were transported from the fresh fuel storage facility into the reactor building; besides, the equipment was examined and a walk-through test carried out. Afterwards, at 3:28 am on March 24th, the first unit was loaded, with the active phase starting on March 25, 2016.
The procedure is carried out in accordance with “The first operating nuclear core charge” program enacted by the LM NPP Chief Engineer and approved by the launch academic advisor (R&D Center “Kurchatovskiy Institute”), Chief reactor assembly designer (OKB “GIDROPRESS”), AO “Atomtechenergo”.
According to the LM NPP Vladimir Povarov, security is the key requirement toward the new power generation unit launch. To facilitate that, during the physical start-up the fuel assembly imitators were uploaded into the reactor core and the neutron-flux monitoring equipment was set up.
As Mr. Povarov has informed us, this fuel charge pattern is completely different from those implemented at the head blocks before. “This type of charge is non-typical. That’s the first time when we charge the nuclear fuel into the active zone partially filled in with fuel assembly imitators to make the new power generation unit more secure”, he said. The LM NPP director also feels confident that after its launch the new unit will become the benchmark and will spur the nuclear power industry dynamic growth”.
As Fyodor Tatarkin, the Lead engineer of the Novovoronezh AO “Atomtechenergo”, the desk manager of the first operating charge test, noted, the charge procedure is set in such a way that at Stage 1 fresh fuel only takes around one third of the whole assemblies charged, with fuel assembly imitators taking the rest. Later on, the fuel will be loaded in sequence into the remaining slots to substitute the fuel assembly imitators in accordance with the operational plan.
Generally, the process of the physical power generation unit start-up consists of the fol-lowing steps: charge, reactor assembly, yield of rating index, critical state experiments, getting into the critical state and experiments required to confirm the design data on the fuel charge.
Our next steps will rely on Rostechnadzor’s approval for all further steps: reactor assem-bly, main circulation pumps switch-on to convert the reactor unit into the hot condition and a set of trial runs at the minimum controllable power level.
Novovoronezh NPP reactor unit No.6 is a standard new-generation 3+ Russian NPP project with the advanced technical and economic parameters. It was constructed based on the NPP-2006 design with the VVER-1200 reactor unit. The project takes advantage of the decades-long experience in secure and accident-free NPP operation with VVER reactor units. The contemporary design incorporates the requirements towards the scientific and technical documentation in Russia and IAEA recommendations.
Since June 2007 Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC has been involved into the construction of the two new-generation Novovoronezh NPP power generation plants based on the NPP-2006 project as the owner and the developer. The construction is carried out in accord-ance with the operational program of the national nuclear corporation ROSATOM enacted by the Government of the Russian Federation in the Resolution No. 705 dated September 20, 2008, and is funded at the expense of Rosenergoatom and the asset contribution. VVER-1200 reactor units will operate at the new LM NPP blocks.
The specifics of the innovative power generation unit is that it combines the passive security systems with the traditional active ones. The design caters for earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, and aircraft crash protection. Pursuant to the new security standards, the reactor room has a double protective cover; the reactor bulk has a “trap” for active zone fusion underneath it, and the power generation unit is equipped with a passive residual heat removal system. All of those technical improvements raise the nuclear power plant No.6 to a brand new security level.
The VVER-1200 RU project complies with all Russian and international security standards. Its main differentiator is the improved security system that makes the project’s security parameters second to none. The construction general contractor is JSC "NIAEP" – JSC ASE “Atomenergoproject”, the general designer - JSC “Atomenergoproject”, the general reactor unit designer – OKB “GIDROPRESS”.
The up-to-date information on the nuclear environment close to the Russian NOOs and other nuclear objects is available at www.russianatom.ru
Novovoronezh NPP Information and Public Relations Administration
A set of works has preceded the first phase of the physical innovative NPP-2006 power generation unit start-up, specifically, the fuel assembly covers were transported from the fresh fuel storage facility into the reactor building; besides, the equipment was examined and a walk-through test carried out. Afterwards, at 3:28 am on March 24th, the first unit was loaded, with the active phase starting on March 25, 2016.
The procedure is carried out in accordance with “The first operating nuclear core charge” program enacted by the LM NPP Chief Engineer and approved by the launch academic advisor (R&D Center “Kurchatovskiy Institute”), Chief reactor assembly designer (OKB “GIDROPRESS”), AO “Atomtechenergo”.
According to the LM NPP Vladimir Povarov, security is the key requirement toward the new power generation unit launch. To facilitate that, during the physical start-up the fuel assembly imitators were uploaded into the reactor core and the neutron-flux monitoring equipment was set up.
As Mr. Povarov has informed us, this fuel charge pattern is completely different from those implemented at the head blocks before. “This type of charge is non-typical. That’s the first time when we charge the nuclear fuel into the active zone partially filled in with fuel assembly imitators to make the new power generation unit more secure”, he said. The LM NPP director also feels confident that after its launch the new unit will become the benchmark and will spur the nuclear power industry dynamic growth”.
As Fyodor Tatarkin, the Lead engineer of the Novovoronezh AO “Atomtechenergo”, the desk manager of the first operating charge test, noted, the charge procedure is set in such a way that at Stage 1 fresh fuel only takes around one third of the whole assemblies charged, with fuel assembly imitators taking the rest. Later on, the fuel will be loaded in sequence into the remaining slots to substitute the fuel assembly imitators in accordance with the operational plan.
Generally, the process of the physical power generation unit start-up consists of the fol-lowing steps: charge, reactor assembly, yield of rating index, critical state experiments, getting into the critical state and experiments required to confirm the design data on the fuel charge.
Our next steps will rely on Rostechnadzor’s approval for all further steps: reactor assem-bly, main circulation pumps switch-on to convert the reactor unit into the hot condition and a set of trial runs at the minimum controllable power level.
Novovoronezh NPP reactor unit No.6 is a standard new-generation 3+ Russian NPP project with the advanced technical and economic parameters. It was constructed based on the NPP-2006 design with the VVER-1200 reactor unit. The project takes advantage of the decades-long experience in secure and accident-free NPP operation with VVER reactor units. The contemporary design incorporates the requirements towards the scientific and technical documentation in Russia and IAEA recommendations.
Since June 2007 Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC has been involved into the construction of the two new-generation Novovoronezh NPP power generation plants based on the NPP-2006 project as the owner and the developer. The construction is carried out in accord-ance with the operational program of the national nuclear corporation ROSATOM enacted by the Government of the Russian Federation in the Resolution No. 705 dated September 20, 2008, and is funded at the expense of Rosenergoatom and the asset contribution. VVER-1200 reactor units will operate at the new LM NPP blocks.
The specifics of the innovative power generation unit is that it combines the passive security systems with the traditional active ones. The design caters for earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, and aircraft crash protection. Pursuant to the new security standards, the reactor room has a double protective cover; the reactor bulk has a “trap” for active zone fusion underneath it, and the power generation unit is equipped with a passive residual heat removal system. All of those technical improvements raise the nuclear power plant No.6 to a brand new security level.
The VVER-1200 RU project complies with all Russian and international security standards. Its main differentiator is the improved security system that makes the project’s security parameters second to none. The construction general contractor is JSC "NIAEP" – JSC ASE “Atomenergoproject”, the general designer - JSC “Atomenergoproject”, the general reactor unit designer – OKB “GIDROPRESS”.
The up-to-date information on the nuclear environment close to the Russian NOOs and other nuclear objects is available at www.russianatom.ru
Novovoronezh NPP Information and Public Relations Administration
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