The Belgorod plant of Russia’s United Metallurgical Company (OMK), Belenergomash (BZEM), has manufactured and shipped a batch of 62 bellows expansion joints for units 5&6 of the Kudankulam NPP under construction in India. OMK said on 24 August. Bellows expansion joints with diameters of 400, 600, 700, 1000 and 1200mm are intended for the manufacture of embedded channel sealed penetrations of pipelines for Kudankulam 5&6.
Lead samples of products have been tested in the company's own accredited laboratory. The test results confirmed the guaranteed fulfilment of the assigned number of cycles for 40 years. All products were stained with an organosilicate composition. This enamel has high radiation resistance, is resistant to decontamination solutions and is able to withstand hot steam at temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius.
In addition, the Belgorod plant shipped 138 tons of forgings for the project to the Central Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering (part of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division Atomenergomash). They will be used to manufacture parts of the condensate pumping unit for Kudankulam 5&6. The blanks are made of steel 20X13 corrosion-resistant and heat-resistant class. Another 57 tons of forgings, from which elements for the NPP will be made, are now in the process of production.
Also in the production stage are forged and stamped blanks, which will subsequently be used to manufacture pipeline fittings - high-speed shut-off valves and gate valves for Kudankulam 3&4. Deliveries for this order will be completed in autumn 2021.
Nikolai Maksimenko, Deputy Managing Director for Production of the OMK Belgorod plant said the plant was chosen as a supplier of these types of products because of its extensive experience. “For example, we have been making bellows expansion joints since 2006. The plant has all the necessary permits for the manufacture of components for the nuclear industry, a trusting relationship with the customer and an impeccable reputation as a supplier of high-quality products.”.
Kudankulam is one of the largest nuclear power projects in India and is scheduled to have six Russian VVER-1000 reactors. Kudankulam 1 and 2 (stage 1) are in operation, units 3 and 4 (stage 2) are under construction and units 5 and 6 will comprise stage 3. OMK’s Belgorod Plant is involved in the construction of all six units.
