ГLeading backbone enterprise of the region and largest
enterprise in the fuel and power balance of the region
3 km
from the administrative boundary
(Desnogorsk town)
The plant produces 20 bln kWh at an average annually, which equals 75% of the total amount of electric power generated by nuclear power providers of the Smolensk Region. The main consumer of electric power generated here is the “Center” power system covering 18 regional power systems of the Central Federal District. Nuclear power of Smolensk NPP powers the Kaliningrad Region and Belarus.
Three power units with RBMK-1000 reactors are in service at the enterprise.
22,088,3mln kWh
of electric power were generated by the NPP in 2020
3,000MW
plant installed capacity
The second and third generation RBMK-1000 reactors are the “heart” of Smolensk NPP
Single-circuit type: steam supplied to the turbines is formed directly from water cooling the reactor.
Each power units includes:
The controllable chain reaction occurs in the reactor core: fuel (uranium dioxide U235) shares its thermal neutrons. Heat is carried away by water circulating through the fuel channels along the repeated forced circulation circuit. The steam-water mixture flows from the reactor to the drum separator whereit is separated into steam and water. Dry saturated steam is supplied to the blades of the turbine. Exhaust steam from the turbine enters the condensers to be cooled down there.
After purification, heating and deaeration (degassing), condensate returns to the drum separator whereit is mixed with feed water and supplied to the reactor fuel channels. Generators producing electric power are installed on one shaft with the turbines. Electric power arrives to the consumers by 6 transmission lines 330, 500 and 750 kV.
1,000MW
1,000 MW of one power unit capacity
6transmission
lines
750kV
maximum power supply voltage
An RBMK is a pressure-tube high-capacity reactor.
This is a series of nuclear power reactors developed in the Soviet Union. An RBMK is a pressure-tube heterogenous graphite-water boiling thermal neutron reactor. The coolant is boiling water.
The basic principle of safe operation of a nuclear power plant is preventing an uncontrolled escapeof radioactive products.
The power units of Smolensk NPP feature high safety indicators. The principle of self-protection of the reactorunit and availability of the safety barriers (the defense-in-depth concept) are referred to the key safety factors.All power units are equipped with a containment system preventing from any release of radioactive substancesto the environment.
The defense-in-depth concept is applied to compensate for potential human errors or mechanical failures. This concept is based on several levels of protection with a sequence of barriers on the way of discharge of radioactive materials into the environment. This concept envolves protection of the barriers through prevention of a damage to the plant or to the barriers. It includes further measures to protect the population and the environment against any impacts if the barriers will not be enough effective.
The first barrier is a fuel matrix (i.e. a pellet).
The second barrier is a fuel element jacket.
In order to avoid a break of its air-tightness and to identify any faulty fuel elements, a fuel failure detection system is provided.
The operating principle of this system is based on measurement of the steam-water mixture radioactivity at an outlet from each channel.
If any non-tight fuel assembly is detected (a FA consists of multiple fuel elements), it is removed from the reactor, and a new one is installed in its place.
The third barrier is comprised of fuel channels, pipelines, and the equipment of the repeated forced circulation circuit. The state of the channels is controlled by the composition of nitrogen-helium mixture circulating through the reactor space.
The forth barrier is represented by reinforced concrete walls of the premises with the equipment of the repeated forced circulation circuit (protective boxes). The temperature of concrete beyond the thermal protection is constantly controlled and recorded.
In order to stop the chain reaction quickly and efficiently, neutrons involved in this process must be absorbed. An absorber (boron carbide) is used to accomplish this. Rods made of boron carbide are fed into the reactor core to reduce the neutron flux level or to shutdown the reactor completely.
Electromagnets are used as the drives for the rods to ensure their immersion into the reactor core. This principle guarantees the rods dropping even if the power unit is de-energized: the powered down electromagnets will stop holding the absorber rods and these will drop down gravity.
The introduction of control and protection system rods with a “tape” absorber, and then rod control cluster assemblies has reduced the impact of the loss of water in the control and protection system cooling circuit to a level that ensures nuclear safety of reactors through the use of inherent self-protection properties.
The basic principle of the safe operation of a nuclear power plant is preventing an uncontrolled escape of radioactive products beyond the safety barriers
2013
the plant was granted the “International Ecologists Initiative 100% eco quality” certificate
The control systems inside Smolensk NPP and the automated radiationmonitoring system (ARMS) constantly monitor the real radiation situation in the sanitary protection zone and in the control area. The years-long run of Smolensk NPP had no impact on the regional environment condition.
The ARMS performs a constant monitoring of the radiation situation and conveys the necessary information to Smolensk NPP and the radioecological control systems.
In 2013, the plant was granted the international environmental certificate and the golden mark “International Ecologists Initiative 100% eco quality” confirming the ecological safety of the enterprise. That same year, Smolensk NPP was awarded the main prize of the international ecologists “Global Eco Brand” in the nomination “Leader of the socially and ecologically responsible business”.
In 2013, the plant was granted the international environmental certificate and the golden mark “International Ecologists Initiative 100% eco quality” confirming the ecological safety of the enterprise. That same year, Smolensk NPP was awarded the main prize of the international ecologists “Global Eco Brand” in the nomination “Leader of the socially and ecologically responsible business”.
2013
the plant was granted the “International Ecologists Initiative 100% eco quality” certificate
Smolensk Nuclear Power Plant
Branch of Rosenergoatom Concern JSC
Smolensk nuclear power plant, Desnogorsk,
Smolensk Region 216400
Тел.:
(8-48153) 7-47-69; (495) 710-48-80
E-mail:
mail@saes.ru,
snpp@sci.smolensk.ru