Unit-3 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project achieves First Criticality
This achievement has been lauded by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, who has called it a shining example of Make in India and trailblazer for many such future
(correspondent, vyara) : The Unit-3 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP-3 – 700 MW), located at Kakrapar, Gujarat achieved its first criticality (controlled self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction for the first time) today, July 22, 2020 at 09:36 hours.
This achievement has been lauded by the Honourable Prime Minister of India, who has called it a shining example of Make in India and trailblazer for many such future achievements.
This is a historic development, as KAPP-3 is a first of a kind, indigenous 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR). It is indigenously designed by Indian scientists and engineers. The components & equipment for the reactor have been manufactured by Indian industries and the construction and erection was undertaken by various Indian contractors.
The reactors are designed and constructed to the highest safety and quality standards comparable to the best in the world. The indigenous 700 MW PHWRS have advanced safety features like steel lined inner containment, Passive Decay Heat Removal system, Containment Spray system, Hydrogen management Systems etc.
The fuel loading of the reactor core was completed by mid-March 2020. Thereafter, many tests and procedures were carried out during the lockdown period following all COVID 19 guidelines. The tasks could be achieved with the excellent coordination and cooperation among NPCIL, Contracting Agencies, DAE units and various Central, State & local authorities.
As a next step, various experiments / tests will be conducted and power will be increased progressively. Thereafter it will be connected with the western grid. The unit is the 23rd nuclear power reactor of the country.
KAPP-3 is the front runner in a series of sixteen (16) indigenous 700 MW PHWRS which have been accorded administrative approval and financial sanction by the Government and are at various stages of implementation.
NPCIL has seven more reactors, KAPP 4 (700 MW), RAPP 7&8 (2X700 MW), KKNPP 384 (2X1000 MW) and GHAVP 182 (2X700 MW) under construction. These reactors are expected to be completed and achieve criticality progressively from next year.
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