Volgodonsk Branch of JSC Mechanical Engineering Division-technology (part of engineering division of “Rosatom” State Corporation - Atomenergomash) has started long-cycle operation to manufacture bottom of nuclear reactor for Unit 3 of Akkuyu NPP (Turkey).

The elliptical bottom of reactor is manufactured in several stages from seamless forged blank in the form of pipe 6 meters long, with outer diameter of 2.5 meters, with weight 96 tons.

At procuring site, specialists with the help of oxygen-gas cutting performed cutting out of sector. For this, guides were installed inside blanks, along which gas-cutting machine moves along the length of blank. With the help of natural gas and oxygen, torch punches through 300 mm thick metal and performs clean cut. The plant's specialists have improved type of cutter nozzle, and now cutting is 4 times faster: two hours instead of eight.

Then blank was sent to thermal furnace for annealing. In furnace, item was held for five hours at temperature of 620 Celsius degree. After inspection measures, blank will be sent to thermal and press section, where pipe will first be unbend, and then bottom of nuclear reactor will be stamped.

Akkuyu NPP in Turkey is the world's first project in the nuclear industry, implemented according to BOO (“build-own-operate”) model. The project includes four power units with Russian VVER reactors of generation "3+" with increased safety and improved technical and economic characteristics. The design and construction of facility is carried out by Engineering Division of Rosatom State Corporation. The capacity of each NPP power unit will be 1200 MW.