A set of steam generators for unit 3 of the Akkuyu NPP under construction in Türkiye has been shipped from Atommash plant in Volgodonsk (part of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division). The steam generators will now begin a 3,000 km journey by waterways and sea to the NPP construction site. In May, the reactor intracranial devices and the upper unit for Akkuyu 3 will be shipped from Atommash. Currently, the plant is also producing key equipment for Akkuyu 4.
Akkuyu, Türkiye's first NPP, will eventually host four Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors. The pouring of first concrete for unit 1 took place in April 2018, for unit 2 in June 2020, for unit 3 in March 2021, and for unit 4 in July 2022. Completion of unit 1 is expected in the third quarter of 2023. Rosatom is constructing the reactors according to a build-own-operate model. To date, the project is fully funded by the Russian side. However, Rosatom has the right to sell a share of up to 49% in the project to other investors.
Under the terms of the Intergovernmental Agreement between Russian and the Türkiye, commissioning of unit 1 was scheduled to take place within seven years after receiving all necessary permits. As the construction licence for unit 1 was issued in 2018, commissioning is therefore formally due by 2025. However, every effort is being made to ensure that it will be ready in time for Türkiye’s centenary celebrations in 2023.
Each VVER-1200 reactor unit has four steam generators. The diameter of each is more than 4 metres, the length about 15 metres and the weight 355 tonnes. The steam generator manufacturing cycle includes the assembly-welding of enclosures from individual lunches and nozzles, the manufacture of bottoms, the drilling of collectors of the first circuit, the manufacture of snakes and the installation of intra-hull devices, as well as a set of control measures – hydraulic and vacuum tests of the heat exchanger.
Rosatom Director General Alexei Likhachev in a video address to the ceremony at Atommash noted: “Every year you supply long-cycle equipment for Rosatom constructions in Russia and abroad. Last year, a world record for nuclear engineering was set: you shipped five reactors and 18 steam generators for Russia, Türkiye, India and China. This year you face no less significant challenges. The total order volume for the coming years includes equipment for the nuclear island and machine room of 10 power units in the Russian Federation and in our partner countries. I am sure that you will adequately cope with this task.”
Meanwhile, ZiO-Podolsk (also part of Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division has completed the manufacture of high-pressure heaters for unit 1. A large-sized PVD-6/2 apparatus, 12-metres
long and weighing 84 tonnes has been delivered to the NPP. In total, under the agreement concluded in 2018, ZiO-Podolsk has manufactured and shipped to Akkuyu 1 a set of four high-pressure heaters – two PVD-6 and PVD-7 devices.
These are key heat exchange equipment for the NPP turbine building. The horizontal device heats the feed water supplied to the steam generator by condensation. The design life of the equipment is 60 years. During manufacture at ZiO-Podolsk, a number of advanced technical solutions were implemented, ensuring a high-quality production.
“Equipment for machine halls of a NPP with a low-speed turbine complements the product line at ZiO-Podolsk and significantly expands the capabilities of the enterprise in Russian and international markets,” said ZiO-Podolsk Director General Anton Lebedev. “Thanks to the experience of our specialists who have implemented similar projects for the nuclear industry, it was possible to solve all the issues that arose and complete the manufacture of the key heat exchange equipment for the turbine hall.”
Image (top): One of the three steam generators delivered to Akkuyu for unit 3
Image (bottom): One of the four high-pressure heaters delivered to Akkuyu for unit 1
