Work has begun to install the bridge crane in the turbine hall at the construction site of the BREST-OD-300 reactor being built at Russia’s Siberian Chemical Combine (SKhK – Sibirskovo Khimicheskovo Kombinata) in Seversk, Tomsk region. The BREST-OD-300 lead-cooled fast reactor is part of the pilot demonstration power complex (ODEK – Opitno Demonstratsionovo Energo-Kompleksa), which is being developed under the Breakthrough (Proryv) project intended to demonstrate closed fuel cycle technology.
The 223.5-tonne double-girder crane with a lifting capacity of 280 tonnes is being installed at a height of 29.6 metres. Lifting was carried out using a Liebherr LR 11350 crane. The installation is expected to take approximately six months. It requires a high degree of precision due to the complex architecture of the turbine hall and the significant weight and size of the crane.
The crane is designed to move large technological equipment (turbine, generator, heat exchange equipment, etc.) during the installation and repair of the reactor plant. In addition, installation of the crane will allow timely implementation of measures to prepare the building for operation in the winter season, It is planned to install heat-sensitive equipment, organise a thermal circuit, close the mounting openings and connect heating.
“Installation of the overhead crane is an important step in the construction of the power unit. All work is carried out strictly on time and in accordance with the regulatory requirements of industrial safety,” said Alexander Gusev, Deputy General Director at SKhK for the Proryv project. “The installation of large-scale equipment for the BREST-OD–300 reactor plant is scheduled for 2026.”
In the near future, specialists from Titan-2 will have to perform the coupling of the span beams, the installation of cargo and mounting trolleys, followed by installation of the control cabin and electrical work. The crane is scheduled to be put into temporary operation in August. By this time, the floor trusses must be installed in the turbine hall. All internal rigging work – the installation of the turbine, generator and auxiliary equipment – will be carried out using the overhead crane.
