Thrust truss has been installed in the design position at Unit 1 of El-Dabaa NPP in the Arab Republic of Egypt (the general designer and general contractor is Engineering Division of State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom).
A thrust truss is a welded steel structure that is a part of the reactor cavity equipment
and is designed to
securely fix the reactor pressure vessel. Reliable fixing of the reactor
pressure vessel in the concrete cavity allows it to be retained under seismic impacts and upon a
potential rupture of pipelines, and also ensures its securement in the flange area (with a thrust
ring) using keys.
The item was manufactured at Tyazhmash JSC plant and
delivered to El-Dabaa NPP construction site by sea in separate sections. At the
construction site, pre-assembly was performed: welding of 48 parallel radial beams,
the outer shell and ring beams into a uniform spatial ring structure.
The diameter of the thrust truss exceeds 6.7 meters, its
height measures about 1 meter and its weight is 28.7 tons. More than 50
specialists and a heavy crane of 2,000-ton hoisting capacity were involved in the
installation of the structure.
During the installation of thrust truss, a project of
Rosatom Production System was implemented to optimize the construction time for
the reactor cavity structures. For the first time in the history of
construction of Generation III+ power units equipped with Russian-designed
VVER-1200 reactors, a unique technical solution - integration of thrust truss
into a pre-assembled reinforced unit has been implemented. Over a month, the
specialists of contracting companies were performing work on reinforcement of
the reactor cavity structures and adjoining with the thrust truss elements.
This solution allowed us to bring complex operations outside the installation
area, arrange for continuous installation of the core catcher and reactor plant
equipment and ensure compliance with safety, quality, and construction schedule
requirements.
The next stage of works at Unit 1 will be installation of the reactor pressure vessel in its design position.
“The installation of the thrust truss marks another significant milestone in the construction of Egypt’s first nuclear power plant. This achievement reflects the high level of coordination between all project participants and demonstrates our firm commitment to the highest standards of safety, quality, and efficiency. El-Dabaa NPP is a strategic national project, and each successful step brings us closer to delivering a state-of-the-art facility that will contribute to Egypt’s sustainable development and energy security for decades to come” -said Dr. Eng. Sherif Helmy, Chairman of the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA).
“For the time being, we have gained a good pace of work for the soonest implementation of this year’s main production milestone, which is installation of the reactor pressure vessel of Unit 1. The entire international team is working in unison and with common understanding of the goal: to build a state-of-the-art, reliable and safe nuclear power plant. Congratulations on another success of my colleagues!”- said Alexey Kononenko, Atomstroyexport JSC Vice President - Director for El-Dabaa NPP Construction Project.
El-Dabaa NPP is the first NPP in Egypt. It is
being built in the city of El-Dabaa, in Matrouh Governorate on the
Mediterranean coast, approximately 300 km. north-west from Cairo. The NPP
consists of four 1200 MW power units equipped with Russian VVER-1200
pressurized water reactors of the latest third generation; these reactors are
state-of-the art technologies that have been successfully operated at reference
NPPs.
El-Dabaa NPP is being constructed in
accordance with the package of contracts, which entered into force on December
11, 2017. In accordance with the contractual obligations, the Russian party
will not only construct the NPP but will also supply nuclear fuel for the whole
life cycle of the NPP and will provide assistance to the Egyptian partners in
training of the personnel at the operation and maintenance stages during the
first 10 years of NPP operation. Besides, under a separate agreement, the
Russian party will build special storages and will supply special containers
for storing spent nuclear fuel.
The Engineering Division of State
Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom unites the leading companies of the nuclear industry,
namely: Atomstroyexport JSC (Moscow, Nizhny Novgorod, branches in Russia and
abroad), Joint Design Institute - Atomenergoproekt JSC (Moscow, Nizhny
Novgorod, St. Petersburg branches - design institutes, branches in Russia and
abroad, R&D branches) and subsidiary construction organizations.
The
Engineering Division ranks first in the world by the order portfolio and the
number of NPPs constructed simultaneously across the world.
About
80 % of the Division’s revenues originate from foreign projects.
The
Engineering Division implements construction projects for high-power NPPs in
Russia and across the world, renders a full range of EPC, EP, EPC(M) services
including project management and design activities, and develops Multi-D
technologies for the management of complex engineering facilities. The Division
relies on the achievements of the Russian nuclear industry and modern
cutting-edge technologies.
We construct reliable and safe NPPs with Gen III+ VVER reactors that are in line with all international requirements and recommendations. www.ase-ec.ru
