Welding of the upper semi-vessel of the Reactor Pressure Vessel (RPV) for Unit-2 of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant has begun in the Volgodonsk Branch of ‘AEM-technology’ in Russia, according to Rosatom, a subsidiary of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation.
Rooppur nuclear power plant is the country’s first nuclear power plant. The power plant is being implemented by Rosatom. The main construction work of the power plant is continuing at Rooppur in Pabna district while its essential machineries are being made in Russia.
It is a top priority project on the Bangladesh government’s agenda, all the way up to the Prime Minister’s Office. The project will host two units, each with the latest generation 3+ VVER 1200 reactor. Total capacity of the plant is estimated to be 2,400 MW.
Rosatom officials said following test assembly of components of the RPV semi-vessel, two shells and a flange of it were put together. With the help of a crane, they were lifted to a welding stand for welding under heating at a temperature of 150-300 degrees Celsius.
It was then heated up to 300 degrees in the welding zones. With the help of a bridge crane with a lifting capacity of 180 tons, it was moved into the furnace to conduct HT for 4 days. Simultaneously, manufacturing of lower semi-vessel consisting of three shells and a bottom is in progress.
The reactor represents a vertical cylindrical body with an elliptical bottom. It hosts the Core and the Internals. On top, it is sealed with a Cover with drives mechanisms and regulating devices installed on it for the protection of the reactors. It has nozzles, intended for passage of sensor cables for in-core monitoring. In the upper part of the vessel, there are nozzles for the coolant input and output, as well as nozzles for emergency supply of the coolant if the circuit is depressurized.
Architect Yeafech Osman, Minister of Science and Technology, told The Bangladesh Post that the construction of the nuclear power plant is underway by taking all necessary measures to prevent spread of corona infection at the site, following the Bangladesh Government and WHO guidelines. In addition to the use of different types of safety equipment, everyone is tested at least three times a day for body temperature and health checkup.
“It is an international project and also a matter of honor for us. We hope at least 1200MW unit of electricity from the first nuclear plant will be added to the national grid by 2023. The second with the same amount of power will be launched by 2024,” he added.
Project officials said most of the major projects in the country were halted due to Coronavirus. Due to the dependence on foreign manpower, some projects have been stopped. Foreigners associated with the embassy and various activities are returning to their respective countries. However, the construction work of the Rooppur Power Plant is going on in full-swing. The project concerned has taken initiatives to prevent the deadly virus as well as save anyone from getting infected.
Bangladesh government believes that once the nuke plant goes into operation, it will offer a window of opportunities, such as ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to over 15 lakh families and jobs for a large number of people.