Dummy fuel loading in the reactor pressure vessel of the first unit of Ruppur nuclear power project in Pabna has started. The program, which started on Tuesday (September 17), will continue for about two weeks.

The engineering branch of Rosatom announced this information in a press release on Wednesday (September 18) afternoon.

According to the notification, 163 dummy fuel assemblies and 115 control and protection system absorber rods will be loaded. Real fuel will be loaded after verification of all reactor parameters with dummy fuel. Experts from Atomstroy Export, Atomtech Energo and RossEnergo Atom are participating in this important event.

Dummy fuel assembly is exact copy of original fuel assembly in terms of size, shape, weight, material. But it contains no nuclear fuel. After this fuel loading, reactor circulation flashing, cold and hot tests will be performed. Safe and reliable operation of the reactor depends on the success of these tests.

ASE Vice-President Alexey Deiri said about the Rooppur project in Bangladesh, “Rosatom is one of the largest technology corporations in Russia. The organization regularly demonstrates its expertise and vast experience in developing new industries in partner countries. The construction of the first unit of the Rooppur project and its startup and other adjustment activities are in full swing. With the startup of this unit, Bangladesh will get much needed electricity for its development.”

ETMEnergo-Bangladesh Branch Director Dennis Majlov said, “Dummy fuel assembly loading operations will be conducted on a 24/7 basis. Loading a dummy fuel assembly into the reactor with a refueling machine requires an average of 25 minutes. After dummy fuel assembly loading we will prepare the reactor for circulation flashing, cold and hot tests."

Incidentally: Bangladesh's first nuclear power plant is being built in Rooppur with the technical and financial support of Russia. The project will have two power units and have a total generating capacity of 2,400 MW. Each unit will be equipped with 3+ generation Russian VVER-1200 reactors. Which is capable of meeting all international security requirements. Rosatom Engineering Wing is executing the project as General Designer and Contractor.