Core melt trap installed at Kudankulam 3

11 December 2019


Russian state nuclear corporation Rosatom on 4 December completed installation of the core melt trap at unit 3 of India’s Kudankulam NPP. 

“The melt localisation device is a unique development of Russian nuclear technology and one of the most important nuclear safety systems,” said Vladimir Angelov, project director in India for Rosatom’s Engineering Division Atomstroyexport. “It is a special system for the management of beyond design basis accidents.” The melt trap for Kudankulam 3 is a new generation device that is adapted to the appropriate site conditions and safety requirements, has increased seismic resistance, hydrodynamic and impact strength, as well as flood protection and simplified installation technology. The casing of the device, which weighs 147.5 tons, was installed in the design position using a Liebherr LR11350 crawler crane. In addition to the body, the main elements of the trap are  block cassettes filled with special non-metallic materials, a service platform, a truss console and a bottom plate. Construction of unit 3 - one of two AES-92 design VVER-1000 units under construction as the second phase of the Kudankulam NPP in Tamil Nadu - began in 2017. Kudankulam 1 and 2, both VVER-1000 units, have been in operation since 2014 and 2017, respectively. A third phase using the AES-92 design is also planned (units 5 and 6).



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