The Possibility of Using Chimney-type Evaporative Cooling Towers at the Kola-2 NPP in Maneuvering Modes

The possibility of using chimney-type evaporative cooling towers at the Kola-2 NPP in maneuvering modes is discussed. The peculiarity of the Kola Peninsula electric networks is that they are isolated significantly from large consumers and from large generation in the Northwestern part of Russia. The main lines of the electric networks are developed to an insufficient degree. As a result, the Kola NPP turned out to be a "locked" generation, with a strong dependence on the load schedule of electricity consumers inside the Kola Peninsula. During floods and "high water" in the rivers of the Kola Peninsula, in view of a limited possibility of transporting electricity in the direction of St. Petersburg because of a high load of the 330 kV main transmission line, the Kola NPP is forced to operate in a maneuvering mode with power limitations. In 2021, State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom decided to construct two new power units at the Kola NPP. The construction is scheduled to begin in 2028, and the commissioning is scheduled for 2034. It is planned to construct two new power generating reactors of the VVER-600 type. For the operation of thermal and nuclear power plants, large amounts of water resources are needed both for filling and making up the turbine coolant circuit and for the cooling loops. The heat of condensation released in this case is discharged through service water systems into the environment, which causes heating of both atmospheric air and heating of natural water bodies, the so-called "thermal pollution". However, since January 1, 2007, a new version of the Water Code of the Russian Federation has been in force in the Russian Federation, according to Article 60 of which, the design of once-through service water systems is not allowed. It is planned to design new units of the Kola NPP with a closed circulating cooling system. Operation in this mode entails risks of an increase in the cooling water temperature and the occurrence of obstacles to operation in the maneuvering mode at 100% power in the hot summer period. A comparison of the data presented in the article allows a conclusion to be drawn that it is possible to operate the VVER-600 units planned for construction in a maneuvering mode without restrictions on the cooling water temperature, despite the use of chimney-type evaporative cooling towers in the cooling loop. The article is recommended to employees specializing in power engineering, students, and a wide range of readers.