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

Ironically, but to date one of the cleanest types of energy is ... atomic! And, in general, it is quite justified. Yes, nuclear power plants produce hazardous waste, but their quantity is relatively small, and mankind has long learned how to remel them into a glass-like substance that does not undergo corrosion and can be stored in underground bunkers for thousands of years.

If we compare their danger with those volumes of soot and carbon monoxide that emit CHP in the air, then the atom is clearly safer.

New projects

In addition, the world's energy industry works ceaselessly, creating power plants on a new generation atom. We, for example, in the not so distant past had announced the NPP-2006. This project is a completely new nuclear power plant. If the development and implementation are successful, then we will have the opportunity to build much more powerful, but safe NPPs. The Institute of Nuclear Energy was responsible for the development , whose specialists coped with their task perfectly.

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

Basic design features

Note that the key components of any nuclear power plant type NPP-2006 are two "islands": traditional and nuclear. The latter means all the designs and systems that ensure the conversion of atomic 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 general name for the mechanisms and systems that allow the transfer of heat to electricity. It is divided into three sections:

• Turbogenerator.
• Electrotechnical.
• Heating.

The most important is the turbogenerator compartment of the NPP-2006, since it is there that the heat energy is transformed into the electricity needed by man. In the electrical department there are increasing and lowering transformers, on which it is "converted" 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 heat energy to consumers (hot water supply to the city heating network, for example). Currently, all processes taking place in the traditional and nuclear "islands" are under constant control of modern electronic systems that can automatically shut down the reactor in the event of the slightest malfunction.

Information about the device "islands"

As you might guess, the central place of the nuclear "island" is always occupied by the reactor. It is entangled by systems of heat dissipation, cooling, electronic monitoring and protection systems. The state of the reactor is monitored every second, the indications are compared with the norms in an automatic manner. If at least some of the readings change abruptly, the electronics immediately give an alarm signal to the attendant's desk.

In the case of the traditional "island", the central place is occupied by the engine compartment. Its main installations are: a turbogenerator, a condensation path, heating systems 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 directly communicating with nuclear fuel blocks . It consists of four circulating loops, as well as one condensation unit. Also there are several steam generators, refrigerators, other auxiliary elements. As you might guess, the first circuit is radioactive, as its coolant directly contacts radiation-emitting components of the fuel.

Accordingly, the second circuit is non-radioactive. This again steam generators, steam lines, turbine units and condensing units with pumps, other elements. The products of this circuit do not pose a threat to the plant staff and the environment, since they do not contact directly with the radioactive fuel or the coolant of the primary circuit.

How does it all work?

So, when the coolant in the primary circuit passes through the active zone of the reactor, it heats up, and then passes through four additional heat exchange loops. At this time, the heat transfer to the second circuit. After passing through the heat exchangers, the primary coolant again goes to the active zone of the reactor for heating. Circulation of water - forced, through pumps.

The main differences between the new type of power plant

What is the difference between the projects of a new type of nuclear power plant and the traditional varieties of such stations? The most important difference is complete universality. The power stations are fully unified for all types of terrain and climatic conditions. It is planned to erect both on rocky grounds 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 (seawater, seismic instability) are fixed, then the project is simply making pre-planned changes. The design itself does not change at all.

Measures to protect the environment

New NPP projects provide for a considerable number of measures aimed at minimizing the risk of contamination of the radiation environment. This is achieved through the use of a large number of protective systems. During construction, the main attention is paid to such objects as:

• Reactor compartment.
• An auxiliary building for reserve reactor compartments.
• Emergency substation for power supply of station systems .
• The main turbogenerator plant.

The reactor building is the main one, all the infrastructure of the nuclear "island" is being built around it. This is where the steam generator plant is located, as well as refrigeration units and other equipment. In addition, the project assumes the installation of reserve generators for liquid fuel, which are responsible for the supply of circulating pumps in those cases when the station itself does not generate electricity due to some accident, but still it is necessary to cool the active zone of the reactor. So the safety of new generation nuclear power plants is on top.

Other Precautions

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

In addition, in special back rooms there are systems for deep water, steam and waste water purification. All ventilation and steam generators are repeatedly duplicated to minimize the likelihood of accidents and other unpleasant accidents. In general, the nuclear power plant (the photo is in this material) is an object whose security can be envied even by army units and bases.

Reserves - first of all!

All active safety elements are connected to standby power sources, so that even under conditions of emergency, the stability of their operation is not violated. 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 a plane crash, nothing irreversible happens. This is the difference between the NPP-2006, the project of which we have just reviewed in general terms.

Distinctive features of the reactor compartment

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

• The efficiency was significantly increased due to the use of a new type of fuel, but new reactors could work with the old ones.
• The newest interactive diagnostic systems are used to obtain information about the status of each node.
• Control systems over the core of the reactor have also been significantly improved.
• The operating life of the main equipment has been raised to a minimum of 60 years.
• The maximum value of the burn-up of nuclear fuel could be increased immediately to 70 MW.
• Downtime is minimized.

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