ArmInfo. The Armenian Research Institute "Armatom" completed the production of two sets of the third generation industrial anti-seismic protection system for the Armenian nuclear power plant on time, General Director of the Scientific Research Institute, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Vagram Petrosyan stated in a conversation with the ArmInfo correspondent.
According to him, the institute, being the only structure in Armenia that is licensed for the design and preparation of important mechanisms and security systems, performed this work in a timely manner. Both sets were handed over to the ANPP, however, for subjective reasons, as a result of the project's non readiness for connection, they have not been installed yet. "I hope this year this issue will be resolved, the old systems will be dismantled, and new ones will be installed," the general director said. A distinctive feature of the third generation of the seismic protection system is that it not only aims to ensure the safe operation of the ANPP reactor, but also to monitor the entire system. In the case of an earthquake of three points, the system assesses the situation throughout the site and provides information to the station personnel, and in case of shocks 6 points or more, it turns off the reactor facility. A similar system is installed on the fifth unit of the Hrazdan TPP. "In comparison with foreign analogues, our system is distinguished by lower price and high quality," the general director assured. He expressed discontent with the use of complex competitive procedures in the implementation of projects outside Armenia. "It is necessary to register at the Russian site, after which we must submit documents for participation in tenders that are very complicated for foreign companies, and it is not yet clear by the end how justified these tenders are," Vahram Petrosyan stated.
At the same time, he reported an increased interest in the development of Armenian scientists by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). In particular, the matter concerns the use of seismic systems in studies of attempts at nuclear explosions and conducting various experiments. System sensors are capable of responding to both the frequency of explosions and seismic risks. "Two days ago I received an invitation from the agency to present our systems at the IAEA's World Conference in September of this year," the general director of the research institute emphasized. To recall, the main objectives of the project to extend the period of operation of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian NPP are the restoration of the resource and extension of the station to 10 years (until 2026), improving the safety and efficiency of the nuclear power plant. This year it is planned to replace the second turbine generator, an automatic control system at the station, to carry out repair work on the cooling towers. In addition, work will be carried out to prepare for processing the dome of the reactor, which will be subjected to temperature treatment (annealing), in order to increase its strength to resist neutron fluxes. Annealing itself will be held in 2020. All work on the project will be completed by the end of 2021. The Armenian NPP consists of two units with Soviet (Russian) VVER reactors. The first unit was commissioned in 1976, the second in 1980. In March 1989, after the Spitak earthquake, which killed 25 thousand people, the station was stopped. In November 1995, due to the acute energy crisis, the second power unit of the plant with a capacity of 407.5 MW was activated. In March 2014, the Armenian government decided to extend the life of the second power unit for 10 years - until 2026. Completion is scheduled for 2019. The government of the Russian Federation has allocated Armenia for these purposes a state export credit in the amount of $ 270 million and a grant of $ 30 million.