Work has begun to install the steam generators for unit 2 of Rooppur, one of two units at what will be the first nuclear power plant in Bangladesh.
The Rooppur nuclear power plant is 160 kilometres from the capital Dhaka, with two VVER-1200 reactors of Russian design and with a total 2400MW capacity. The steam generator, weighing 324.7 tonnes and 13.8 metres in length, was lifted to the transportation portal using a Liebherr LR 11350 crane, Rosatom said.
It was then transported to the central hall of the reactor compartment using an erection trolley before being installed in the design position using a polar crane with a lifting capacity of 360 tonnes.
The steam generators for Rooppur were built at the Volgodonsk branch of AEM-Technology JSC in Russia before a two month journey to their detination – being taken a short distance to a specialised jetty on the Tsinlyansk Reservoir, by barge to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk and then on a 14,000 kilometre sea passage to the Bangladesh port of Mongla via the Suez Canal before going over land a further 360 km to Rooppur.
Alexey Deriy, ASE JSC Vice President – Director for Rooppur NPP construction project, said: “Installation of steam generators is one of the key events in the construction of NPP power unit. This operation was preceded by a huge amount of work to ensure the construction readiness of the reactor building. It is planned to install all four sets of the power unit by the end of October.”
The steam generators for Rooppur unit 1 were installed in 2021. Rooppur unit 1 is scheduled to begin operation in 2023, with unit 2 following in 2024.
Source: World Nuclear News
