ArmInfo.The installation of two sets of industrial anti- seismic protection system (SIAZ) at the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant was successfully completed. About this in an interview with corr. ArmInfo was informed by the general director of the "Armenian Research Institute for the Operation of Nuclear Power Plants" ("Armatom"), Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Vahram Petrosyan.
According to him, industrial anti-seismic protection systems allow you to respond quickly with seismic risks. In particular, SIAZ will automatically shut down the reactor installation in an earthquake of 6 points or more. Moreover, the Armenian NPP itself is able to withstand tremors of 9 points. SIAZ are one of the main systems ensuring the safety of the Armenian NPP.
Recall that earlier the results of the first procurement procedures of the project to extend the life of the Armenian NPP were summed up. Based on the results of the competitive procedures, the supply of the industrial anti-seismic protection system (SIAZ) was supposed to be carried out by the Armenian Research Institute for the Operation of Nuclear Power Plants (Armatom).
As the general director noted,
Recall that the main objectives of the project to extend the life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian NPP are to restore the resource and extend the operation of the station to 10 years (until 2026), increase the level of safety and efficiency of nuclear power plants. This year it is planned to replace the second urbo generator at the station, the automatic control system, and carry out repair work on cooling towers. In addition, work will be carried out to prepare for the treatment of the reactor dome, which will be heat treated (annealed) in order to increase its strength to resist neutron fluxes. Annealing itself will be carried out 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, in connection with the most acute energy crisis, the second power unit of the station 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 by 10 years - until 2026. The Government of the Russian Federation allocated Armenia for this purpose a state export loan in the amount of $ 270 million and a grant of $ 30 million.