The upper part of the of the reactor for the first unit at Kursk II has been shipped by the Volgodonsk branch of AEM-technology, which is part of the machine-building division of Rosatom - Atomenergomash.

The reactor vessel head (Image: Rosatom)

The weight of the product, which includes the reactor cover, nozzles and metal structure, is 160 tonnes and will have a service life of 60 years, with the possibility of a future 20 year extension.

The reactor lid is the main unit of the upper block, connecting the reactor vessel and the upper block with 54 pins of the main connector. On top of the cover are branch pipes that serve to fasten the control rod drives.

The VVER-TOI design was announced in 2010. Kursk II will replace four RBMK units currently operating at the site. The Kursk region is in western Russia, located at the confluence of the Kur, Tuskar, and Seym rivers.

The generation III+ power unit has an upgraded pressure vessel, increased power to 3300 MWt and 1255-1300 MWe gross (nominally 1300), improved core design to increase cooling reliability, further development of passive safety with 72-hour grace period requiring no operator intervention after shutdown, lower construction and operating costs, and 40-month construction time. It will use a low-speed turbine-generator.

Researched and written by World Nuclear News