A 350-tonne bridge crane has commenced operations in the turbine hall of Power Unit No. 2 at the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Turkey, constructed by Rosatom.
The new crane will facilitate lifting, transporting, and loading tasks during both the construction and operational phases of the nuclear facility.
Following the installation of the crane beams, specialists dedicated several months to adjusting the electrical, control, and monitoring circuits essential for the crane’s internal mechanisms and safety.
The crane subsequently underwent static and dynamic testing, including assessments under maximum load conditions. Upon completion of these control operations, an expert commission approved the equipment, confirming its operational readiness.
Three bridge cranes, integrated via an advanced control system, are installed at various levels within the turbine halls of the Akkuyu NPP. This system prevents potential collisions among the cranes, hook suspensions, or ropes during any operational scenario.
The primary bridge crane, capable of lifting 350 tonnes, is positioned on the building’s upper tier. Additionally, two wide-span overhead cranes with lifting capacities of 30 and 15 tonnes are situated on the lower tier.
The main crane in the turbine hall of Akkuyu NPP Unit 2 is a bridge electric double-girder crane. It is outfitted with four hoisting devices, including a main lift and an auxiliary lift with capacities of 350 and 40 tonnes, respectively, along with two electric hoists, each capable of lifting 6.3 tonnes. The crane measures 56.8m in length, 5.8m in height, and has a lifting height of 43m, with a total weight of 385 tonnes.
Akkuyu Nuclear JSC CEO Sergei Butckikh said: “The service life of the bridge crane of the turbine hall is designed for the entire life cycle of the power unit. With its help, we will have to install the turbine generator set and other heavy equipment in its regular place.
“This equipment is already on site, and we will begin its step-by-step installation after the necessary preparations are made.”
