Atommash AEM-Technologies JSC Branch in Volgodonsk (part of the machine-building division of Rosatom - Atomenergomash) manufactured the Reactor Core Barrel for Unit No.7 of the "Tianwan" NPS".
The Core Barrel is one of the three main parts of the Reactor Internals. The Core Barrel Vessel consists of six shells and an elliptical bottom. The height of the item is about 11 meters, weight - 63 tons.
In the upper part of the Core Barrel, there are 238 holes with a diameter of 196 mm and 2 holes with a diameter of 300 mm. The holes are arranged in a special order: 6 rows along the perimeter of the shell, they are designed for the exit of the coolant. On the bottom of the item, there are 1344 holes of different diameters: 40 mm and 60 mm and 163 holes with a diameter of 226 mm. The holes are necessary for the installation of supports and protect the fuel assemblies (FA) from the ingress of mechanical particles into them.
The next important step will be the installation of the grid and supporting elements. After completion of all parts and nominal dimensions, a check assembly of the Core Barrel together with the Core Baffle and the PTU will take place.
The Tianwan NPS is located in Jiangsu Province, China. The first power units No.1 and No.2 with VVER-1000 reactors were handed over to the Customer and put into warranty operation in 2007. Units No.3 and No.4 were put into warranty operation in 2018. On June 8, 2018, intergovernmental minutes of meeting and a framework contract were signed in Beijing for construction of power units No.7 and No.8 of the Tianwan NPS with VVER-1200 reactors, which refer to the latest generation “3+”.