The Volgodonsk branch of AEM Technologies (part of Rosatom’s engineering division – Atomenergomash) has completed the hydraulic tests on the reactor pressure vessel (RPV) for unit 1 of Turkey’s Akkuyu nuclear power plant.
“The hydraulic tests confirmed the strength of the base metal and welded joints of the reactor vessel, the readiness of the product to work at the station for a specified life of 60 years,” said Rovshan Abbasov, director of the AEM-technology Volgodonsk branch.
For the final stage in the manufacture of the RPV a special underground stand with a watertight chamber (a caisson) was used.
The 334t RPV was lifted onto the support ring of the caisson using using a crane and the chamber was hermetically sealed with a special cover. Hydraulic tests were carried out, during the RPV was subjected to a maximum pressure of 24.5 MPa – 1.4 times higher than the working pressure.
Abbasov said preparation for hydrotesting of the reactor vessel was carried out “in difficult quarantine conditions”.
The Akkuyu nuclear plant will include four units with Russian VVER-1200 generation 3+ reactors. The $20bn plant is being constructed according to a build-own-operate model under Russian management based on an intergovernmental contract signed with Russia in 2010.
Photo: Hydraulic testing has been completed on the reactor pressure vessel for Turkey's Akkuyu 1 (Photo: AEM Technologies)
