The first nuclear fuel simulators (ITVS – Imitatorov TeploVidelyayushikh Sborok), an exact copy of industrial fuel assemblies but without uranium, have been loaded into the core of the VVER-TOI reactor at unit 1 of Russia’s Kursk NPP-II. This is one of the final operations in preparation for cold-hot testing of reactor equipment, preceding the physical start-up of the reactor.
Full loading of the simulation zone with ITVS as well as simulators of control system absorber rods and completion of transport cases in the fresh fuel storage facility and transportation to the reactor building will take about 10 days.
“Next, during the cold-hot testing process, we will check the performance of the equipment and safety systems of the reactor facility in operating modes,” said Kursk NPP Director Alexander Uvakin. “Internal devices have already been installed in the unit 1 reactor vessel in which the fuel simulators will be located, and during industrial operation the fuel assemblies. When forming a simulated reactor zone, all operations are performed as if the work was carried out with nuclear fuel. This makes it possible to work out procedures for handling nuclear fuel on simulators in conditions as close as possible to operation.”
“The start of simulator loading indicates a certain level of technical readiness of the transport and technological equipment, which is part of the system for handling fresh nuclear fuel and reactor equipment. After the completion of the ITVS load, the reactor will continue to be assembled and flushing and hydraulic testing of the pipelines of the primary and secondary circuits will begin,” said Vice President of Atomstroyexport, Oleg Shperle, Project Director for the Construction of Kursk-II.
The Novosibirsk Chemical Concentrate Plant (NZK – Novosibirskii Zavod Khimikonstentrato) manufactured the simulation zone which was loaded under the supervision of regulator Rostechnadzor.
Kursk-II unit 1 will be the first ever VVER-TOI reactor to begin operation. The VVER-TOI (Tipovoi Optimizirovannii i Informatizirovannii – standard optimised and informatised) is an evolution of the VVER-1200 reactor. The advantages of VVER-TOI are increased power and improved technical and economic indicators, as well as an optimal combination of passive and active safety systems designed to preserve the reactor core from destruction for at least 72 hours under any accident scenario. As part of the VVER-TOI project, the unit is equipped with the most powerful low-speed domestic turbine – 1255 MWe with a rotation speed of 1500 rpm.
Kursk-II will replace the currently operating Kursk NPP, which comprises four ageing RBMK reactors (one of which is already closed). Units 1&2, currently under construction, will have VVER-TOI reactors – a development of the VVER-1200 reactor design. The VVER-TOI has increased power and improved technical and economic indicators, as well as increased resistance to extreme.
