Russia’s Cybersteel, a manufacturer of high-tech seamless stainless pipes, has supplied 400,000 metres of pipes for the construction of the El Dabaa NPP in Egypt. The products intended for the assembly of steam generators were manufactured according to an individual technical specification with a standard size of 16 by 1.5 mm from high strength and wear resistant 08X18N10T grade steel.
All products underwent comprehensive non-destructive testing of external and internal surfaces, control of geometric parameters, as well as 14 types of tests at the Cyberlab R&D centre. In addition, the metal for the manufacture of pipes was subjected to input control to check the content of non-metallic inclusions, chemical composition, including cobalt content up to 0.015% by atomic absorption spectrometry.
“Cybersteel has a successful experience in supplying products for the nuclear industry – this is the fourth project in the company’s order portfolio for the construction of foreign nuclear power plants,” said CEO Stanislav Velikiy. “A special feature of this order was reducing the cobalt content in the metal threefold to 0.015%, which became possible thanks to the joint work of the company’s specialists and manufacturers to develop a new type of alloy in a short time.”
El Dabaa NPP will comprise four units with generation III+ VVER-1200 pressurised water reactors. The NPP is being constructed in accordance with contracts that entered into force in 2017. The $30bn project is mainly financed through a $25bn Russian loan. Rosatom will supply nuclear fuel throughout the lifecycle of the plant, arrange for the training of Egyptian personnel, and assist in the operation and maintenance of the plant for the first 10 years. The reference plant for El Dabaa is the Leningrad-II NPP. Construction of all four units is planned for completion by 2028-2029, and Egypt expects that the NPP will reach full capacity by 2030.
