The hydraulic pressure test is an important testing operation which is required by all relevant codes and standards. The test gives the final confirmation of the integrity and strength of the pressure vessel. The arrangement of of a large integral RPV about 20 m heigh will be similar to one of a BVR RPV having similar outer dimensions. The test pressure the value of which is different in individual national codes is in the range of 1.1 — 1.6 of the operational pressure, will be comparable with one of PVR RPVs, i. e. 17.3 — 25 MPa.

Check assemhlу

Good experience has been made at Skoda with application of the final check assembly of reactor internals. which was recommended by the original Russian technical project. This operation consisting in assembly of all reactor internals at the manufacturing shop made possible to find an optimal position of individual parts and remove all problems in the shop. As a result. assemblies of reactors and Installation if internals into pressure vessels on sites vere smooth and fast.

There are more components in integral reactors: in addition to classic internals there are steam-generating elements, water-stream guiding structures etc. A specific feature is a long distance between control rod drives and the core where control rods are placed. For such a complex lay-out, the check assembly in the shop could be a good confirmation of mutual fitting of individual components.

Large and heavy parts of integral RPVs require appropriate shop transporting and handling means.

Principal handling an transporting operations include’­- transport of semiproduts to the shop.

— transport of workpieces including the whole RPV between individual workplaces and machines.

— tilting of workpieces from the horizontal position to vertical one and back; finally, the whole pressure vessel have to be erected to the vertical position for the pressure test and back.

— rotating workpieces during fabrication (welding, cladding) and і пресtions (ultrasonic tests, radiography),

— loading workpieces to the annealing furnace, radiographic cells etc. .

— installation of components during the check assembly.

— final expedition of the RPV from the shop (loadincj on a truck or ship).

The necessary transporting and handling means are rotating and/or tilting positioners. trucks. wagons and cranes of corresponding loading capacity. Cranes have to have an appropriate lifting travel and — for a precise setting

— a microdrive.