OREANDA-NEWS. Specialists of TITAN-2 were in charge of renewing the loading-unloading machine of the 4th power unit of the Leningrad NPP.

The project included upgrading all the refuelling actuators, as well as the control and guidance systems. The project experience can be used in reconstructing the other two nuclear power plants in Russia.

A project managed by one of the company's subsidiaries – JSC TITANENERGONALADKA – completed the full cycle of modernization of the main equipment of the unloading and loading machine (ULM) number 4 of the Leningrad NPP.

The upgrade included: ULM crane, protection equipment, replaced of main actuators for the processing machine, replacing the control and guidance system. The most important piece of work was replacement of the machine control. This system was first created using the relay technology, and has worked for nearly thirty years, after which it was replaced with a modern microprocessor with automatic control. This upgrade significantly expanded the range of capabilities in terms of controlling the operation of the machine during ULM re-fuelling.

This is the first time that the machine, that ensures the efficiency of the reactor operation, has been assembled in this configuration. In contrast to the first power unit of LNPP, where the control system was designed and manufactured by SDB Orion, in Unit 4 this part of the ULM was developed and manufactured by CJSC DIAKONT. The same organization was in charge of installation and commissioning of the equipment.

In the course of commissioning tests the handling mechanism demonstrated significant improvement in terms of their operating parameters. So, already in 2013, organizations of the Holding are planning to use this experience in modernizing the refuelling unit 3 of the Leningrad NPP.

The experience gained from upgrading power unit 4 of the LNPP could be extended to other nuclear power plants in Russia. It's the technology that would be potentially used for modernising the ULP of the power units at the Kursk and Smolensk NPP.

Holding TITAN-2 is the largest group of companies in the North-West Region, working in the construction of the most significant facilities for the nuclear power plants and industry. Its organisations provide a full cycle of construction operations – from design of project documentation to delivery and commissioning. The holding is comprised of nearly 20 organisations and employs over 4,000 specialists, with 40 years of work experience in construction of unique and especially complex facilities.