Rooppur safety valve problem resolved

The pressure-operated relief valve (PROV) problem at Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant’s first unit has been resolved and successfully tested at a pressure of 16 megapascals, marking a key step in the unit’s commissioning process.

The test began on Wednesday morning and continued until night, with operations conducted from both the main control room and the emergency control room.

Nuclear Power Plant Company Bangladesh Limited (NPCBL) Managing Director Dr Zayedul Hasan confirmed the development on Thursday (October 1).

He said the control valves were checked first and found to be functioning satisfactorily. The main safety valve was then tested, with engineers monitoring its opening and closing, response, alarms and other relevant parameters.

The test was conducted following approved procedures and required safety conditions, he said. Communication systems, fire safety and radiation safety measures were also checked before and during the test.

Dr Zayedul said the successful PROV test was an important step in the commissioning process as the system is directly linked to maintaining safe pressure in the reactor’s primary system.

Another test of the valve is expected to be conducted soon at a pressure of around 18 megapascals.

Earlier, a fault in the safety valve had created uncertainty over the start of power supply from Unit-1 to the national grid. A five-member Russian expert team arrived at Rooppur on September 22 following discussions between Bangladesh and Russia to resolve the problem.

According to NPCBL, Bangladeshi engineers and Russian experts jointly worked to resolve the valve issue.

-AH