Afrikantov OКВМ JSC, a mechanical engineering
experimental design bureau (belongs to Rosatom’s mechanical engineering division) have completed an onboard simulator intended
for the operating personnel of the lead
nuclear icebreaker Rossiya of project
10510. The icebreaker will be powered
by RITM-400 propulsion reactors, which are
the most powerful in the world.
The new hardware and software system was designed to train operators of RITM-400 nuclear power units before the vessel is commissioned. It will help operational personnel maintain their qualifications to ensure the reliable operation of nuclear vessels and safe navigation along the Northern Sea Route. The onboard simulator is based on a mathematical model that simulates the physics of the processes within a reactor unit in realtime. This allows for the creation of various operating scenarios for the key power equipment on an icebreaker, from normal operation to failure scenarios involving major or auxiliary equipment.
“The main asset of Rosatom in the Arctic is not the icebreakers, but rather the people who operate them. The onboard simulator is a training tool that reproduces the whole range of information related to the work of systems and devices of the central control panel and simulates the work of all systems of a nuclear power unit. This approach, based on the deep integration of nuclear and digital expertise, forms the foundation for safe and sustainable navigation in high latitudes,” stated Igor Zotov, Deputy Head of the Department for Nuclear Units Mathematical Models and Simulators at Afrikantov OKBM JSC.
The hardware and software system is based on extensive experience in supercomputing and mathematical modeling that Afrikantov OKBM JSC used to create digital twins of nuclear power units. The onboard simulator was installed at Afrikantov OKBM JSC's facility and undergone testing. At least 200 people are expected to have their practice at the simulator.
The Northern Sea Route (NSR) is the shortest shipping
route connecting the western part of Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region. The administrative
border of the NSR stars between the Barents and Kara Seas (Kara Gate Strait) and ends at the
Bering Strait (Cape Dezhnev). The length of
the route, which includes the seas of the Arctic Ocean (the Kara Sea, the
Laptev Sea, the East Siberian Sea, and the Chukchi Sea), is 5,600
kilometers. The NSR provides services to the ports in the Arctic as well as the
ports of the major rivers in Siberia. There are currently six large seaports in
the Russian Arctic waters of the NSR including Sabetta, Dikson, Dudinka,
Khatanga, Tiksi and Pevek. Rosatom is now involved in a federal project for the
development of the Great Northern Sea Route, a transport corridor from St.
Petersburg and Kaliningrad to Vladivostok.
RITM-400 is designed to be the primary power source for the world’s most powerful nuclear icebreakers of next generation 10510. This unit is an evolution of RITM-200 with an increase in thermal output up to 315 MW, which is the highest output in the world. Afrikantov OKBM JSC is the main designer and complete supplier of the unit.
Rosatom’s engineers manufactured two RITM-400 units for the lead nuclear icebreaker Rossiyaof project 10510 in 2025. The vessel is currently under construction in the Far East. Once commissioned, it will become the most powerful icebreaker in the world, providing a significant boost for the development of the Arctic and the eastern sector of the Northern Sea Route.
Afrikantov OKBM JSC offers a wide range of work and services throughout the life cycle of various nuclear reactor systems, cores and BOP, as well as safety systems of NPPs. The company acts as both the main designer and complete supplier of reactor equipment. Afrikantov OKBM JSC is part of the Mechanical Engineering Division of Rosatom and a member of the Mechanical Engineers Union of Russia.
The comprehensive development of the Russian Arctic is a national strategic priority. To increase the NSR traffic is crucial for the successful accomplishment of the outstanding tasks. The development of this logistics corridor is ensured through cargo shipping on a regular basis, construction of new nuclear icebreakers and modernization of the relevant infrastructure. Rosatom is actively involved in these efforts.
