The main element of the polar crane, a bridge weighing
282 tons, is installed in Unit 2 reactor compartment of Akkuyu NPP (being built
by Rosatom in Türkiye). The large-sized structure is mounted at a height of
38.5 meters using a self-propelled heavy-duty crawler crane.
The polar crane is one of the main mechanisms of the reactor compartment. It will be used at all stages of the nuclear power plant's life cycle. During the power unit operation, transportation and technological operations for the maintenance of the reactor plant will be carried out with the use of the crane.
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC Chief Executive Officer Sergei Butckikh said: "Alongside the pre-commissioning operations at Unit 1, construction, thermal and mechanical equipment installation works are being intensively carried out at other Akkuyu NPP Units. Recently, the builders have completed the concreting of the fifth tier of the inner containment. The operation took about six hours, and 240 cubic meters of self-sealing concrete were laid continuously. After the structure acquired strength, we installed the polar crane bridge metal structures. This crane is peculiar for reliability and duplication of lifting mechanisms, which is a precondition for compliance with nuclear safety standards."
The installation of the polar crane structures and the further installation of the safety system tanks using the Open Top method will provide for preparations for the installation of the inner containment dome of Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 reactor compartment.
About the polar crane
The polar crane (circular overhead crane) is mounted
under the dome of the reactor building's inner containment. The crane's trolley
moves along the bridge, and the crane itself moves along a circular rail above
the reactor shaft, which allows transportation operations to be performed
anywhere in the building. The crane is used for handling large-sized equipment,
reactor plant maintenance and fuel overloading. The total weight of the crane
structures (bridge, main and auxiliary trolleys, mechanisms for lifting and
moving loads, pivoting device, etc.) will be about 500 tons.
About Akkuyu NPP
Akkuyu NPP is the first nuclear power plant being built
in the Republic of Türkiye. Akkuyu NPP project includes four power units
equipped with Generation 3+ VVER reactors of Russian design.
The capacity of each power unit will be 1200 MW. Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the global nuclear industry being implemented according to the Build-Own-Operate model.
