NPP-2006: the project of a new generation Russian nuclear power plant

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Oddly enough, but today one of the cleanest types of energy is considered … atomic! And, in general, quite justified. Yes, nuclear power plants produce hazardous types of waste, but their amount is relatively small, and humanity has long learned how to melt them into a glassy substance that does not corrode and can be stored in underground bunkers for thousands of years.

If we compare their danger with the volumes of soot and carbon monoxide that are emitted into the air by thermal power plants, then the atom is clearly safer.

New projects

In addition, power engineers all over the world are constantly working, creating power plants on a new generation of atom. In our country, for example, in the not so distant past, NPP-2006 was announced. This is a completely new nuclear power plant project. If the development and implementation are successful, then we will have the opportunity to build much more powerful, but at the same time safe nuclear power plants. The institute of nuclear energy was responsible for the development, whose specialists coped with their taskperfect.

Today, it is known for sure that the new power plants have aroused keen interest of potential customers in Iran, as well as the UAE. In general, this is not surprising, since these states have a long experience of working with our country.

Main design features

Note that the key components of any nuclear power plant of the AES-2006 type are two "islands": traditional and nuclear. The latter refers to all structures and systems that ensure the conversion of nuclear energy into thermal energy, as well as electronics and other equipment that is responsible for the safety of this process. Accordingly, the traditional "island" is a generic name for mechanisms and systems that allow you to convert heat into electricity. It is divided into three sections:

• Turbine generator.
• Electrotechnical.
• Heating.

The most important is the turbine-generator compartment of NPP-2006, since it is there that the conversion of thermal energy into the electricity necessary for a person takes place. In the electrical department there are step-up and step-down transformers, on which it is “remade” to the values necessary for transportation.

The heating circuit is not developed at all nuclear power plants, but where it is, it is responsible for the transfer of thermal energy to consumers (supplying hot water to the city heating network, for example). At present, all processes taking place in the traditional and nuclear "islands"are constantly monitored by modern electronic systems that can automatically shut down the reactor in the event of the slightest malfunction.

Information about the structure of the "islands"

As you might guess, the central place of the nuclear "island" is always occupied by the reactor. It is entangled in heat sinks, cooling systems, electronic control and protection systems. The state of the reactor is monitored every second, the readings are compared with the standards automatically. If at least some of the readings change dramatically, the electronics immediately sends an alarm to the control panel of the duty personnel.

In the case of a traditional "island", the central place is occupied by the engine room. Its main installations: turbogenerator, condensate path, heating plants and other auxiliary units. They are very important, since NPP-2006, judging by the information of the contractor, will be able to provide nearby settlements not only with electricity, but also with heat.

Cooling system

Actually, it consists of a reactor and a coolant that communicates directly with nuclear fuel blocks. It consists of four circulation loops, as well as one condensing unit. There are also several steam generators, refrigerators, and other auxiliary elements. As you might guess, the primary circuit is radioactive, since its coolant is in direct contact with the fuel components emitting radiation.

Accordingly, the second circuit is non-radioactive. itagain steam generators, steam pipelines, turbine units and condensing units with pumps, other elements. The products of this circuit do not pose a danger to the plant personnel and the environment, since they do not come into direct contact with radioactive fuel or primary coolant.

How does it all work?

So, when the coolant in the primary circuit passes through the reactor core, it heats up and then passes through four additional heat exchange loops. At this time, heat is transferred to the second circuit. After passing through the heat exchangers, the primary coolant again goes to the reactor core for heating. Water circulation is forced, through pumps.

Main differences of the new type of power plants

What is the difference between the projects of a new type of nuclear power plant and traditional varieties of such plants? The most important difference is complete versatility. Power plants are completely unified for all types of terrain and climatic conditions. Construction is expected both on rocky foundations and on soft soils, including in those regions where seismic activity is regularly recorded.

If it is necessary to build a new generation nuclear power plant where aggressive external influences (sea water, seismic instability) are recorded, then pre-foreseen changes are simply made to the project. The design itself does not change in any way.

Measures to protect the environment

New NPP projects include a considerable number of measures,aimed at minimizing the risk of contamination of the environment by radiation. This is achieved through the use of a large number of protective systems. During construction, the focus is on objects such as:

• Reactor compartment.
• Auxiliary building for reserve reactor compartments.
• Emergency substation for power supply of station systems.
• Main turbine generator set.

The reactor building is the main one, the entire infrastructure of the nuclear "island" is being built around it. It is there that the steam generator plant is located, as well as refrigeration units and other equipment. In addition, the project provides for the installation of backup liquid fuel generators, which are responsible for powering circulation pumps in cases where the plant itself no longer generates electricity due to some kind of accident, but it is still necessary to cool the reactor core. So the safety of new generation nuclear power plants is on top.

Other precautions

The reactor and all adjacent units are protected by a massive double shell, which prevents the release of decay products and nuclear fuel components from the reactor in case of accidents and other unforeseen situations.

Besides, in special utility rooms there are systems for deep purification of water, steam, waste. All ventilation and steam generator installations are repeatedly duplicated to minimize the likelihood of accidents and other unpleasantincidents. In general, a nuclear power plant (there is a photo in this material) is an object whose security even army units and bases can envy.

Reserves come first

All active safety elements are connected to backup energy sources so that even in emergency conditions, the stability of their work is not disturbed. Buildings in new projects of domestic nuclear power plants are located at the maximum possible distance from each other, so that even in the event of an aircraft crash, nothing irreversible happens. This is what distinguishes NPP-2006, the project of which we have just reviewed in general terms.

Distinctive features of the reactor compartment

In the case of the latest domestic nuclear power plants, the reactor of the brand (RU) V-392M is used. Of course, this includes not only the plant itself, but also condensers, steam generators, pumping stations and other important technological components. If we compare all this with previous models of stations, as well as with the developments of foreign engineers, then the domestic solution has several important advantages at once:

• Efficiency has been significantly increased due to the use of a new type of fuel, but at the same time, new reactors may well work with the old one.
• The latest interactive diagnostic systems are used, allowing you to receive information about the status of each node.
• Reactor core monitoring systems have also been significantly improved.
• The life of the main equipment has been increased to a minimum of 60 years.
• The maximum value of the atomic burnupfuel was increased immediately to 70 MW.
• Downtime is kept to a minimum.

Thus, Russia's nuclear power industry has at its disposal a new powerful tool that will further strengthen the energy independence of our country.