Business news

MINSK, 23 August (BelTA) – The main circulation line of the first power-generating unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant has been welded, the press service of the Russian group of companies ASE told BelTA.

ASE Group is the general contractor for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant. One of the most important stages of the project — the welding of a main circulation line — has been finished in the reactor compartment of the first unit of the Belarusian nuclear power plant. The installation of the main circulation line began on 4 June to end on 21 August. Specialists welded all the 28 butts over the course of 78 days. The operations were controlled step by step.

The welding of the pearlitic part of the main circulation line over the period of 78 days instead of the standard 84 days confirms that one of the most complicated stages in building a nuclear power-generating unit is now virtually automated, stressed Dmitry Romanets, director for building the Belarusian nuclear power plant at ASE Group. The main circulation line of the second unit of the second Novovoronezh nuclear power plant was welded within 72 days. That time was used as a reference point for the welding operation in Belarus. In essence Rosatom’s engineering division has set a new industry standard, which provides for completing this operation within less than 80 days.

Specialists of the Russian company Energospetsmontazh intend to complete overlaying the seams inside the main circulation line with austenitic stainless steel within days. The operation will protect the seams from the aggressive environment.

The main circulation line is 850mm in diameter and is over 130m long. Its walls are 70mm thick. The line connects the main equipment in the primary coolant circuit: the reactor, steam generators, and main circulation pumps. The main circulation line is designed to enable the flow of the heat transfer agent — water as hot as 350C under pressures as high as 17.6MPa.

ASE Group was created as part of the efforts to form an engineering division of the Russian state nuclear industry corporation Rosatom. ASE Group was created by merging the industry’s top companies: NIAEP, ASE, Atomenergoproekt, and Atomproekt. ASE Group is one of the leaders of the world nuclear engineering industry and accounts for over 30% of the global market of nuclear power plant construction services. ASE’s representative offices and operation offices have been opened in 15 countries across the globe. Projects outside of Russia account for nearly 80% of the company’s portfolio.