The Leningrad Metalworks (LMZ – part of Power Machines) said it had completed tests on the prototype of a low-speed household turbine with a capacity of 1255 MWe.
LMZ is the only company in the world that today produces high-performance steam turbines in both high-speed and low-speed versions. The correctness of the assembly and the accuracy of the alignment of all elements of the flow path of the turbine were confirmed during the tests.
Based on the experience in the development of powerful high-speed steam turbines and advanced scientific achievements, Power Machines has been carrying out a project for the development and production of a low-speed turbine unit with a capacity of 1255 MWe for several years. The company has consistently carried out a complex of research and development work, experimental development of new units on model and series stands, technological preparation of production.
Especially for the production of an innovative type of equipment, Power Machines has built and commissioned a modern high-tech industrial complex for the production of power equipment with a capacity of 500 MWe, including low-speed turbine units for nuclear power plants with a capacity of more than 1200 MWe the possibility of expanding the range to a capacity of 1800 MWe. Investments in the construction and equipment of the complex amounted to approximately RUB 7 billion (US $ 95.6 million).
The low-speed turbine of the new generation 1255MWe was designed and developed by the employees of the special design office of LMZ Turbina taking into account the requirements of the innovative VVER-TOI project as well as according to the requirements and with active support from Rosatom. The new turbine could potentially be used in a turbine system with a unit output in the range of 1600-1800 MWe. So far, the LMZ product line for nuclear power plants has been represented exclusively by high-speed turbines with a maximum output of 1200 MWe.
“The production of the prototype of a low-speed high-performance turbine is the most important innovative project for the entire Russian energy industry, which enables Power Machines to enter the market for low-speed high-performance turbines and to compete in this segment with global energy engineering companies,” said Anton Viktorov, Head of the nuclear power division of Power Machines. “The current state policy for the development of the nuclear industry creates the conditions for the development of a new technology for the Russian market for the production of low-speed turbine units and the import substitution of high-tech equipment.”
VVER-TOI is a development by OKB Gidroress based on the technical solutions for VVER-1200 reactor systems. VVER-TOI reactors have increased performance, improved technical and economic indicators and increased resistance to extreme external influences and natural disasters. The Kursk-II nuclear power plant will be the first with these reactors.
Currently, GE Steam Power is the main producer of low speed turbines for Russia. AAEM (a joint venture between Rosatom’s engineering division Atomenergomash and GE Steam Power) was founded in 2007 to complete the turbine rooms of Russian-designed nuclear power plants using GE Steam Power Arabelle’s steam turbine technology.
A total of four Arabelle low-speed steam turbines will be installed in the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. AAEM has been supplying equipment for complete steam turbine units for the Akkuyu NPP since 2017. AAEM specialists are responsible for engineering, design and supply of the equipment for the turbine hall, while the slow-speed Arabelle steam turbine and associated equipment are manufactured by GE Steam Power.
Photo: Prototype of a turbine at half speed for VVER-TOI (Photo credit: Power Machines)
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