23 Aug (NucNet): Slovenske elektrarne has successfully completed cold testing at Unit 3 of the Mochovce nuclear power station under construction in western Slovakia, the company said in a statement on 23 August 2018.
The Slovak utility said this was the first comprehensive testing of the Russian VVER V-213 plant, with reactor systems operated together with auxiliary systems.
Testing started in mid-July and took 37 days. The next phase of testing for the 440-MW (net) plant will be hot testing, which sees the unit tested under normal operational conditions, but without nuclear fuel in the reactor.
The main objective of cold testing was to demonstrate the leak-tightness of plant systems and components such as pressure vessels, pipelines and valves. The primary circuit during the test was pressurised up to 13.7 MPa and heated up to 120°C. Steam generators were tested at pressure of up to 7.6 MPa, Slovenske elektrarne said.
Successful completion of the cold testing was confirmed by the Slovak Nuclear Regulatory Authority.
There are two plants under construction at Mochovce. Mochovce-3 is expected to begin commercial operation at the end of 2018 and Mochovce-4 at the end of 2019.
Slovenske elektrarne said the gross capacity of the units is 471 MW each, which can be increased up to 535 MW. Each unit will cover approximately 13% of electricity demand in Slovakia.
