Unit 6 of India's Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Attains Criticality

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--The sixth reactor at the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS), which is in the northern Indian state of Rajasthan, attained criticality on January 23. According to state-controlled Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) (Mumbai), the domestically designed 220-megawatt (MW) Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) will become fully operational after it is linked to the national grid. This procedure is expected to be completed shortly. The fifth reactor at the site achieved criticality, and subsequently was synchronized with the national grid in December of last year. This reactor is reportedly operating at 50% of its capacity and is likely to attain full-operating capacity in the next few weeks.

The RAPS complex, also referred to as Rawatbhata, consists of four more PHWRs of different capacities. These reactors were commissioned between 1973 and 2001. Excavation is likely to begin in the next six weeks for the development of two more PHWRs, each with a capacity of 700 MW. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2010.

Excavation activities also have commenced at Kakrapar in Gujarat for the construction of two PHWRs of 700 MW each. Upon completion, the Kakrapar reactor would be the largest 700-MW PHWR to be built with indigenous technology in the country.

With Unit 6 at RAPS attaining criticality, the number of operating reactors in India has reached 19 with a combined generating capacity of 4,560 MW. The capacity is likely to soon increase to 7,280 MW with the commissioning of two nuclear reactors in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. India plans to develop 60,000 MW of nuclear power generating capacity by 2035, which will then account for 10% of the country's total electricity generating capability, according to Srikumar Banerjee, the head of the Atomic Energy Commission, which is in the Department of Atomic Energy. Reactors to be constructed and developed during this period include 10 uranium-based PHWRs of 700 MW each, plutonium-based Fast Breeder Reactors, and thorium-based Advanced Heavy Water Reactors. All reactors will be indigenously developed. Additionally, the nuclear program also will comprise development of Light Water Reactors, with capacities in the range of 1,000 MW to 1,650 MW, which will be developed in technology partnerships with international companies. These reactors are likely to be constructed in proposed nuclear parks in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Gujarat.

In order to keep up with fuel demand, India is also focusing on developing its uranium resources. The country's estimated uranium reserves will be able to sustain a new nuclear power generation capacity addition of only 10,000 MW. NPCIL is performing exploration studies in the country and is scouting for assets overseas. Talks are in progress with Kazakhstan, the U.S., Russia, Mongolia, Canada, Namibia and Argentina to acquire uranium assets. India is also working on developing AHWR reactors, which will use thorium as the primary fuel. India accounts for 25% of the world's thorium reserves.

In a recent development, India has decided to place units 3 and 4 at RAPS under the India Specific Safeguards Agreement, in compliance with the nuclear deal signed with the U.S. and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) (Vienna, Austria) regulations. While the process has commenced, IAEA officials are expected to soon visit the site to make other arrangements. India had agreed to place 14 of its operating nuclear reactors under IAEA safeguards. With eight reactors already under supervision, the process of placing all 14 reactors under IAEA safeguards is expected to be completed by 2014.

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