Petrozavodsk Branch of JSC “Mechanical Engineering Division-technology” (a part of machine-building division of Rosatom State Corporation – Atomenergomash and a Karelian regional branch of the Russian Engineering Union) shipped the first lot of pipe spools for the main coolant pipeline (MCP) for Akkuyu NPP, unit No.1 constructed in Turkey.

For the MCP of one Akkuyu NPP power unit the specialists of Petrozavodskmash assemble 20 pipe spools from 34 pipe billets, as well as the sets of rings intended for welding procedure qualification and welders qualification at site. During manufacture the inner surface of pipes is cladded with stainless layer, the pipe sleeves and the nozzles are welded to the billets, following which the pipe spools are assembled.

The first lot including two pipe spools was shipped from the factory by automobile transport. The cargo will cover the distance of about 5 thousand kilometers approximately in two weeks. The general weight of MCP pipes for Akkuyu NPP, unit No.1 will comprise more than 265 tons.

The MCP with the inner diameter of 850 mm and general length of 146 meters connects the basic equipment of NPP primary circuit: the reactor, the steam generators and the reactor coolant pumps. During operation of nuclear power plant the primary circuit coolant circulate through the MCP pipes at a temperature up to 330 ^oC under high pressure — 160 atmospheres. The anticorrosive overlay is applied on the inner surface of the forged billets to protect the pipeline from the aggressive exposure to coolant.

Akkuyu NPP is the first project in the world in the nuclear industry to be implemented pursuant to BOO (“build-own-operate”) approach. The project Akkuyu NPP includes four power units equipped with Russian VVER-reactors of III+ generation with increased security and advanced technical and economic features. Power of each NPP unit is 1200 MW. Principal stages of manufacture are supervised by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency of the Republic of Turkey (NDK).