Inside a VVER Plant

The VVER 440 series reactors have 6 reactor coolant loops. All of the plants, except Loviisa, have a confinement design. Loviisa has the traditional western containment. The confinement design uses accident localization vaults. The reactor coolant piping, reactor coolant pump, and steam generator for each loop are located within an enclosed vault. Each loop also has motor operated isolation valves so that, if a leak does occur in the loop piping, the loop can be isolated to reduce the likelihood of fluid loss.

The links below illustrate photos of the confinement, accident localization vault, and other major equipment in the VVER-440 design.

• Operators at Control Room - narrow angle (110K)
• Accident Localization Vault area showing Reactor Coolant Loop Motor Isolation Valve and Reactor Coolant Pump Motor (112K)
• Turbine Deck view from Generator end (Moisture separators are on left hand side of photo; LP turbine is near center of photo (101K)
• Confinement main floor showing reactor with pressure retaining yellow cover (105K)
• Refueling machine above reactor (100K)
• Operators in Control Room - wider angle view (99K)
• Reactor Vessel being moved during initial construction (111K)
• View of confinement area - a different reactor (126K)
• Operators in Control Room - different reactor - note panel above vertical part of benchboard (81K)
• Outside view of VVER facility in winter (83K)
• Control Room - wide angle view (101K)

Ref: Prve Dielo Jadrovej Ery, Photography by Maria Durisova; Atomove Elektrarne Bohunice (1987)

Copyright © 1996-2004.  Joseph Gonyeau, P.E.. The Virtual Nuclear Tourist. All rights reserved. Revised: March 15, 2001.