The decision on preparedness of Unit No. 3 of Rostov NPP for the first criticality program was made based on findings of the targeted inspection carried out by Rostechnadzor, which checked availability of the process systems and equipment of the facility, Unit No. 3 personnel, and operating documentation for these activities.
The first criticality program at Rostov-3 started on November 14. 2014. Specialists of the operating departments successfully loaded first fuel assemblies in Rostov-3 reactor.
“The first criticality of a power unit marks the start of a large work stage to prepare Rostov-3 for the first power,” Valery Limarenko, the President of the united company NIAEP-Atomstroyexport, noted. “In essence, the reactor has become the reactor installation commencing the start of the fuel loading. I would like to emphasize that Rostov-3 is commissioned earlier than planned. The decision to change the due dates was made by the nuclear industry management and related to high degree of completeness of the facility. We are successfully doing this task. This speaks of the commitment to the results of all project participants and company employees, which team lists now about 20,000 people,” he said.
At Rostov NPP, the 2014 is the year of Unit 3 start-up,” Rostov Plant Manager Andrey Salnikov stressed. “The start-up and commissioning operations began very early this year. The recent months, when the pre-startup tests were carried out, i.e. cold and hot trials and equipment inspection, were very tense for both the contractors and operating personnel of the plant who together were making the power unit ready for the first criticality. We cope with the main task we were charged with by the country and sector leadership. With this, we are doing very well in advance. The first critically will be followed by the crucial stage of the start-up, i.e. the first power program and power release to the consumers.”
A total of 163 fuel assemblies will be put in Rostov-3 reactor. In the course of the first criticality the core parameters needed for the reactor operation will be determined.