After Planned Renovation, Armenian Nuclear Power Plant Joins the Republic's Energy System

On September 8, at 11:48 AM, the N3 turbo-generator of the Unit 2 of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant (ANPP) resumed its energy output following the planned preventive maintenance (PPM-2019) that took place in 2019, and reconnected to Armenia's unified energy system. This information was released by ANPP’s information service.

Currently, the ANPP is operating according to the dispatching schedule. The radiation background at the plant and its surrounding area is within the normal limits corresponding to the operational standards of the energy blocks and does not exceed the natural background values.

After bringing the reactor to operational parameters and connecting the N3 turbo-generator (which carries a load of 236 MW) to the general electrical grid, the PPM-2019 is considered completed.

As is known, for the fourth consecutive year, the ANPP combines the scheduled preventive maintenance operations with the implementation of its operational lifetime extension program, as most of the work in this area can only be technologically executed when the energy block is offline.

Significant volumes of work have been carried out including:

• Complete unloading of nuclear fuel from the reactor, its washing, and preparation for further inspections.
• Instrumental investigation of the reactor's core and preliminary analysis of the results.
• Completion of instrumental investigations of Class 1 and Class 2 safety elements with preliminary conclusions.
• Restorative repairs of four passages of the reactor management and protection system (RMPS) in the upper block of the reactor.
• Modernization of the reactor management and protection system (RMPS) including replacement of electrical equipment.
• Upgrading of the sprinkler system ensuring the integrity of the reactor division building in emergency situations.
• Completion of the replacement of thermal insulation in the piping and equipment of the “sharp heat” energy transformation circuit directing thermal energy from the nuclear fuel to the turbines.
• Replacement of individual pumps, piping elements of Class 2 and Class 3 safety systems, and blocks of power accumulators of the reliable supply system.

The results of these works significantly enhance the safety and reliability of the energy block's operation. Large-scale works are being carried out and planned for the electricity generation systems (in the machine room).

The modernization of Turbine No. 3, which began last year (PPM-2018), has been completed, notably including the replacement of the turbine condensers, three condensate extraction pumps, and individual pumps, rotors, and piping elements of Class 3 and Class 4 safety systems (ancillary systems of Turbine-Generator Block No. 3).

Work continues on the equipment of the second assembly of the turbine-generator-transformer, notably the replacement of the high-pressure cylinder (HPC), two low-pressure cylinders (LPC), three condensate extraction pumps for Turbine No. 4, and elements of auxiliary systems of Turbine No. 4.

With these enhancements, the modernization of the machine room's equipment is anticipated to significantly increase the output power of the energy block (by approximately 10%) due to the improved efficiency.

It should be noted that the successful completion of these enormous plans was made possible only by the clear organization of the entire process and the directed intention of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant's personnel to achieve final results. Additionally, and importantly, it also resulted from healthy practical relationships developed with the involved Russian organizations over the years of joint work. During the various periods of the completed PPMs, between 200 and 600 specialists from these organizations have worked at the plant, all demonstrating high professionalism and, what is particularly valuable, readiness to understand the specific situations at the ANPP and solve arising issues.