Hydraulic tests completed at the first unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant

Hydraulic tests conducted to check the durability of the first circuit of the reactor facility at the first power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant, built by Rosatom, have been successfully completed.

Purpose and Scope of Hydraulic Tests

Hydraulic tests were successfully carried out at the first power unit of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant to test the durability of the primary circuit of the reactor facility.

According to official statements, this process was evaluated as a critical stage to verify assembly and weld quality.

Pressure Values Applied During the Test

During the tests, the pressure in the primary circuit was raised to 24.5 megapascals, which is equal to 1.5 times the normal operating pressure.

It was stated that this high pressure level achieved corresponds to the pressure created at a depth of approximately 2.4 kilometers in the ocean.

Temperature and Water Conditions

In the first stage of the process, the temperature of the water in the primary circuit was raised to 135 degrees Celsius.

It was noted that this temperature value is 35 degrees Celsius higher than the boiling point of water under normal atmospheric pressure.

Execution Process and Monitoring

To perform the hydraulic tests, the primary circuit was filled entirely with chemically demineralized, purified water.

While the necessary conditions in the circuit were created using the main circulation pump units, the process was monitored from the Main Control Room.

Management Evaluation

Rosatom Director General Alexey Likhachev emphasized that thousands of engineering works were carried out during the construction process.

Likhachev stated that this successful result clearly demonstrates the quality of the assembly, welding, and commissioning works.

Meeting Design Criteria

As a result of the comprehensive hydraulic tests performed, all criteria foreseen in the design of the VVER-1200 reactor facility were fully met.