Kudankulam unit II will attain criticality in eight months

[thestringshredder]

The Russian-made reactor at the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KKNPP) in Tamil Nadu attained criticality around midnight on Saturday.

“The neutron multiplication in the reactor core started around noon and is progressing well…,” Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Department of Atomic Energy Secretary R.K. Sinha told reporters here earlier.

As the construction group handed over the reactor to the commissioning group, experts of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL), the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) and Russian experts from Kurchatov Institute closely monitored the process.

Once the reactor starts generating 400 MWe of power, possibly within 45 days from the date of criticality, it will be connected to the grid.

“At this stage, we will collect data from the reactor and forward it to the AERB for analysis. Only after getting their nod at this stage, we will increase the quantum of generation [gradually] to 50 per cent, 75 per cent, 90 per cent and cent per cent. Though every stage will consume two to three weeks for the AERB’s analysis, we will wait for their permission and move ahead,” NPCIL Chairman and Managing Director K.C. Purohit said.

The second unit of the Kudankulam project would attain criticality within eight months from now, he said.

Asked about the progress in its construction, he pointed out that 86 of the 163 dummy fuel assemblies were loaded into the reactor core. The ‘first pour of concrete’ for the third and fourth units, also to be supplied by Russia, would take place “shortly.”

ALLAYS FEARS

On the ongoing agitation against the Kudankulam project, Mr. Sinha said he could understand the protesters’ apprehensions, which were being addressed and allayed by KKNPP and NPCIL experts through direct interactions and also through visits being made by the public living nearby.

“Once power generation starts, their apprehensions will vanish completely as they themselves will experience the facts behind nuclear energy,” Mr. Sinha said adding the issue of nuclear liability pertaining to other units coming up at KKNPP would be smoothly sorted out.

KKNPP Unit I will add 1,000 MWe to the southern grid and increase the contribution from nuclear power in the country to 5,780 MWe.

Besides Unit II of KKNPP (1,000 MWe), NPCIL is constructing Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Units 3 and 4 (2X700 MWe) and Rajasthan Atomic Power Project Units 7 and 8 (2 X 700 MWe). On completion of these projects, the country’s installed nuclear power will reach 9,580 MWe.

Executive Director (Light Water Reactors-Operations) M. Kasinath Balaji; Director (Operations) G. Nageshwar Rao; Site Director, KKNPP, R.S. Sundar; and Project Director, Units 3 and 4, KKNPP, R. Banerjee were present.

Link - Kudankulam unit II will attain criticality in eight months - The Hindu

 

[anant_s]

Tamso ma Jotir Gamaya
(God, Lead me from Darkness to Light)

 

[Manindra]

Tamso ma Jotir Gamaya
(God, Lead me from Darkness to Light)

Well said energy, education is our main to become develop nation.

 

[anant_s]

Well said energy, education is our main is our main medium to become develop nation.

I'm sure when plant performs well there will be all around development of the community around and people will see the logic of setting such plants. Sorry to say, but groups like PMANE strive under the guise of peaceful protest and mislead people with their half baked knowledge. So while KKNPP will light up enormous homes, it will also enlighten life of people who live in its vicinity. That i suppose will be the best response to self appointed (mis)leaders, who seek gains in every oppurtunity.

PS: did anyone notice that while our media was prompt to show each and every march/protest/event while the protests were on against the plant, now that the unit has actually gone critical (a moment all countrymen should be proud of), there isn't a single new item. Wonder when will so called 4rth pillar of democracy rise above sensationalism.

 

[Manindra]

I'm sure when plant performs well there will be all around development of the community around and people will see the logic of setting such plants. Sorry to say, but groups like PMANE strive under the guise of peaceful protest and mislead people with their half baked knowledge. So while KKNPP will light up enormous homes, it will also enlighten life of people who live in its vicinity. That i suppose will be the best response to self appointed (mis)leaders, who seek gains in every oppurtunity.

PS: did anyone notice that while our media was prompt to show each and every march/protest/event while the protests were on against the plant, now that the unit has actually gone critical (a moment all countrymen should be proud of), there isn't a single new item. Wonder when will so called 4rth pillar of democracy rise above sensationalism.

These people are anti anything

You forget to see NDTV who I think only channel who telecast dedicated program yesterday night on this project but channels are busy in praising Indian cricket team or modi's comments etc.