24.05.2017
The Rostov NPP Information and Public Relations Administration
Rostov NPP: all the fuel assembly imitators are loaded into the reactor of starting unit No 4
One of the key tasks of the unit No 4 under construction launch program was completed at Rostov NPP. The specialists completed the loading of all fuel assembly imitators (FAI) into the reactor.
The amount of imitators, which are an exact replica of the assembly with nuclear fuel, is similar to that of fuel assemblies – in total there are 163 pieces. The FAI loading into the core is required to fully simulate the geometric, hydraulic and weight characteristics of these actual fuel assemblies, as well as to test the entire cycle of activities carried out during the nuclear fuel loading.
Confirming all the characteristics of the reactor unit using imitators will be followed by nuclear fuel loading.
According to the representative of the Central Maintenance Department (CMD) in charge of these issues – the Deputy Head of RoNPP CMD Anatoliy Pastukhov – all planned work is being carried out according to the schedule, without delays.
Completion of the FAI loading opens a wide front of works for the cold and hot trials of the reactor before starting the launch operations. By now, the specialists have already started assembling the reactor.
“After loading all 163 FAIs, we proceed to installing a protective tube unit and the upper reactor unit in order to start its testing with various parameters”, Anatoliy Pastukhov said.
The protective tube unit is intended for fixing the top nozzles of the reactor fuel assemblies, protecting the working regulating elements and actuating rods of the coolant flow protection control system.
During circulation flushing and cold and hot trials of the reactor, the specialists will check various characteristics of the equipment operation – heat release, heat loss, coolant rate, etc. – proving the reactor’s safety and compliance with the project requirements. At this stage the reactor unit reaches the parameters similar to operating; and we check the quality of the reactor installation.
The power block No. 4 is planned to be launched in 2017.
The amount of imitators, which are an exact replica of the assembly with nuclear fuel, is similar to that of fuel assemblies – in total there are 163 pieces. The FAI loading into the core is required to fully simulate the geometric, hydraulic and weight characteristics of these actual fuel assemblies, as well as to test the entire cycle of activities carried out during the nuclear fuel loading.
Confirming all the characteristics of the reactor unit using imitators will be followed by nuclear fuel loading.
According to the representative of the Central Maintenance Department (CMD) in charge of these issues – the Deputy Head of RoNPP CMD Anatoliy Pastukhov – all planned work is being carried out according to the schedule, without delays.
Completion of the FAI loading opens a wide front of works for the cold and hot trials of the reactor before starting the launch operations. By now, the specialists have already started assembling the reactor.
“After loading all 163 FAIs, we proceed to installing a protective tube unit and the upper reactor unit in order to start its testing with various parameters”, Anatoliy Pastukhov said.
The protective tube unit is intended for fixing the top nozzles of the reactor fuel assemblies, protecting the working regulating elements and actuating rods of the coolant flow protection control system.
During circulation flushing and cold and hot trials of the reactor, the specialists will check various characteristics of the equipment operation – heat release, heat loss, coolant rate, etc. – proving the reactor’s safety and compliance with the project requirements. At this stage the reactor unit reaches the parameters similar to operating; and we check the quality of the reactor installation.
The power block No. 4 is planned to be launched in 2017.
The Rostov NPP is an affiliate company for Rosenergoatom Concern OJSC. The plant is based at the Tsymlianskoe reservoir shore 13.5 km away from Volgodonsk. The NPP operates VVER-1000 reactors with the installed capacity of 1000 megawatts. The power block No.1 commenced commercial operations in 2001, with the second and the third power blocks to follow in 2010 and on September 17, 2015, respectively. The power block No. 4 is currently under construction.
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