Russian contractor completes RCC work of phase- 1 IC

The Russian contractor has completed reinforced cement concrete (RCC) works of the first phase of the internal containment (IC) of the reactor compartment at Unit- 1 of Rooppur Nuclear Power Project (NPP).

The IC is an essential safety element of a nuclear power unit, that prevents release of radioactive substances into the environment, in case of any emergency, a company insider said.

Some 1,145 cubic metres of high grade RCC have been used and the reactor building has grown to above six metres in height, said Chief Engineer of the Rooppur NPP project and Deputy Director for Project Management of Russian Atomstroyexport (ASE) Branch in Bangladesh Yuri Koshelev.

Installation of the main equipment of reactor compartment at Unit- 1 will be initiated in 2020, he said.

The internal containment will be a cylindrical reinforced concrete structure with a semi-spherical dome, 1.2 metres thick and 73 metres high, the official added.

The nuclear reactor and first circuit equipment of the NPP will be located within the IC.

The IC will be surrounded by another highly strong External Containment.

Rooppur NPP is being implemented by Atomstroyexport, engineering division of Rosatom state corporation of Russia, as the general contractor.

The under construction Rooppur plant will have two units, each with a generation 3+ Russian VVER-1,200 reactor, with active and passive safety systems to generate around 1,200 MW of electricity each.

The first unit is scheduled to be commissioned by 2023 and the second one the following year.

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