On September 17, 2024, we moved closer to completing Unit 4 of the Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant, the first successful pressure test of the detachable part of the primary circuit.
What does this mean?
This test verifies the integrity of the entire primary circuit, except for the reactor pressure vessel, in a so-called “cold state.” The reactor pressure vessel will be pressure tested in a hot state.
The tanks and the primary circuit are filled with water in the preparatory stages. This process takes a few days. Then, a strength test is conducted. During this test, the equipment must withstand the pressure of 19.12 MPa for 30 minutes. Subsequently, the pressure is reduced to 15.3 MPa for a leak test. As the name suggests, during this test, inspectors go through the entire system and check the tightness of the detachable parts of the main circulation pipeline of the primary circuit with a diameter of DN 500, as well as the main isolating valve, the main circulation pump, steam generators, feed and bleed pipelines, and the special water purification system.
Moreover, the pressure test allows for other important activities, such as identifying defects, checking the tightness of boundary valves, insulating pipes after tests, and measuring the acoustic emissions of the detachable parts of the primary circuit pipelines.
Success was only possible thanks to the flawless cooperation of all concerned suppliers and employees of Slovenské elektrárne, for which they deserve our gratitude.
Our equipment included high-pressure pumps including pipelines, primary circuit feeding pipelines, the special water purification system, and primary circuit bleeding pipelines.
And the works at Unit 4 go on! Next up are the cold and hot hydrostatic tests.
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Ut elit tellus, luctus nec ullamcorper mattis, pulvinar dapibus leo.
