The third layer of the inner protective shell, which is one of the important elements of the safety system, has been installed in the third unit of Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant (NGS).

This layer takes on the task of supporting the pipe lines and the polar crane used for maintenance operations on the nuclear reactor during the operation of the power plant.

The inner protective shell made of steel cladding and special concrete ensures that the reactor compartment is leakproof. The third layer of the welded structure, which consists of 24 sections, is 12 meters high and weighs a total of 280 tons. During the assembly, the parts of the inner shell were put together to obtain a single block with a diameter of 44 meters. The 5-hour installation was carried out using the world’s most powerful crawler crane and a specially designed cross beam to protect the structure during installation.

Sergey Butсkikh, the First Deputy General Manager and Construction Director of Akkuyu NGS under construction, said the following about the completion of the work: “We continue the construction of the inner protection, which is one of the most important elements of the reactor building. After the placement of the third layer, the third unit reached a height of 28.95 meters. We continue to connect the second and third sections, as well as the two sections of the inner shell. Then, we will reinforce and concrete the protective shell.”

The reactor buildings of Akkuyu NGS power units are equipped with a double protective shell. The outer enclosure, built of reinforced concrete, is designed to withstand any type of extreme external impact such as earthquakes up to magnitude 9, tsunamis, hurricanes, and their combinations. The design of the inner protection is made to eliminate the possibility of radioactive materials leaking into the environment.

Source: (BYZHA) Beyaz News Agency