The works have been performed by specialists of JSC CONCERN TITAN-2, which is the general contractor.
In the closed administrative-territorial entity of Seversk in Tomsk region, at the construction site of the IV-generation Pilot and Demonstration Power Complex (PDPC), the metal sheath of the central cavity of the BREST-OD-300 fast-neutron reactor with lead coolant has been installed in its design position. The construction of the PDPC is being carried out on the territory of the Siberian Chemical Complex (JSC «SCC» («SKhK»), an enterprise of the Fuel Division of Rosatom) under the Proryv strategic industry project.
The central cavity sheath is designed to accommodate the core barrel and load fuel assemblies with innovative uranium-plutonium MNUP fuel, as well as to equip the reactor control and protection system.
The equipment was manufactured by Rosatom’s Machine-Building Division and delivered via the Northern Sea Route. Using a heavy-duty caterpillar crane, the metal structure was lifted to the height of a nine-storey building and safely lowered into the reactor cavity. The equipment weighs approximately 143 tons, is over 14 metres high, and has a diameter of approximately 8 metres. A special crossbeam with a lifting capacity of 400 tons was manufactured for its installation.
After the central cavity sheath is installed, plans call for the installation of the four peripheral cavity shells, which will house the steam generators and circulation pumps. Together, all the metal sheaths form a lead coolant circulation loop. The space between the cavities will be gradually filled with a special heat-resistant concrete, which serves as radiation and thermal protection and ensures the structural strength of the primary coolant circuit boundary.
For information:
The TITAN-2 Holding is a Russian group of companies that builds nuclear facilities. Organisations of the Holding perform the whole cycle of works, from development of basic design documentation to facility commissioning.
The TITAN-2 Holding is the general contractor for construction of the new power units of the Leningrad NPP. At the construction site, the organisations of the Holding perform all civil construction, installation, and electric installation works.
The Holding participates in the construction of Akkuyu NPP in Turkey, Paks II NPP in Hungary and El-Dabaa NPP in Egypt.