The first batch of fuel assembly dummies for the VVER-1200 reactor at unit 1 of the Leningrad NPP Phase Two (II) has been delivered to the site, the plant said on 1 July. The batch of 24 FA dummies has been handed over for custody storage to the principle construction contractor of Leningrad II, Concern Titan-2 and the rest of the 163 FA dummies will be delivered to the site during the next month. In 2015, the same dummy set was used in the start-up and adjustment at Novovoronezh II/1 (Unit 6 of Novovoronezh NPP).
Sergey Gushcha, head of nuclear safety and reliability of Leningrad II, explained that all FA dummies had been washed to remove surface contamination, visually and instrumentally inspected, passed pressure tests and requalification in EREC (Electrogorsk Research and Engineering Centre on NPP safety). He also noted that reuse of the dummies had helped to avoid the cost of making a similar set for Leningrad II/1.
After commissioning of the fresh fuel storage facility and all necessary handling and transportation equipment, the dummies will be subjected to the incoming inspection and be ready for loading into the reactor. Unit 1 of Leningrad II is scheduled for start-up in 2017.
Meanwhile, Izhorskiye Zavody, part of the OMZ Group, has completed making the VVER-1200 reactor pressure vessel for unit 2 of Leningrad II, OMZ said on 23 June. The contract for manufacture of equipment for Leningrad II was signed in 2008 and included two VVER-1200 reactor vessels with internals, upper units, and pressurizers. The VVER-1200 reactor vessel and other vessel-type equipment for unit 1 were shipped to the site in 2012-2013. Unit 2 is scheduled for start-up in November 2019.