Installation of “core catcher” has started at unit no. 1 of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) on Saturday.
Core catcher, a device for catching molten core (active part of the reactor that contains nuclear fuel) material, is an important element in the passive safety system of a nuclear reactor.
“This is a unique safety system of the NPP and for the first time such a large sized equipment of aprox. 200 tonnes is being installed in the reactor building”, said Alexander Khazin, Senior Vice-President for Overseas Projects, Atom Stroy export (ASE) during installation ceremony.
“According to the schedule, the installation will be completed within six months”, added he.
Khazin also said works for power unit no.1 are progressing per schedule and five thousand tonnes of cement are being used daily with four thousand people being involved in construction activities, according to a release.
Architect Yeafesh Osman, Minister for Science and Technology, Dr. Mohammad Shawkat Akbar, Project Director of Rooppur NPP and other senior officials attended the ceremony.
VVER-1200 reactors of generation III+, to be set up at Rooppur NPP, will have a unique combination of active and passive safety systems that ensure maximum stability against external and internal factors.
Rooppur NPP with two VVER-1200 reactors and capacity of 2400 MW is being constructed under the Russian design, in accordance with General Contract, signed on 25 December 2015.
Atomstroyexport, the Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation is implementing the project as the General Contractor.
First Concrete Pouring ceremony for power unit No 1 took place on 30 November, 2017. The First Concrete Pouring ceremony of the Unit 2 was held on July 14.
Each stage of Rooppur NPP construction is monitored by IAEA and Bangladesh Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority (BAERA).