News Excerpt:

India’s second home-built 700 MW nuclear power reactor at Kakrapar in Gujarat achieved its first criticality, the start of the controlled fission reaction setting the stage for its gradual move towards producing electricity for commercial purposes.

About the project:

• The project’s units with a capacity of 700 MWe each are the largest indigenous nuclear power reactors to be built by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL).
• These reactors are pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs), which use natural uranium as fuel and heavy water as coolant and moderator.
• They have many advanced safety features, including among others a steel lining from the floor to the wall and a passive decay heat removal system to cool the fuel core.
• KAPP 3 and 4 (2x700 MW) are located at Kakrapar in Surat district of Gujarat, adjacent to the existing reactors KAPS 1 and 2 (2x220 MW).
• While these reactors have been designed, constructed, commissioned, and operated by the NPCIL, the supply of equipment and execution of contracts have been by Indian industries/companies.
• Presently, the NPCIL operates 23 reactors with a total capacity of 7,480 MW and has nine units, including KAPP-4, with a capacity of 7,500 MW under construction.
• In addition, 10 more reactors with a total capacity of 7,000 MW are in pre-project activities. These are expected to be completed by 2031-32.

What is a Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)?

• A pressurized heavy water reactor is a type of nuclear reactor that makes use of heavy water as its coolant and moderator. 
• Heavy water contains an isotope of hydrogen called deuterium. 
• Deuterium absorbs fewer neutrons than hydrogen, which is extremely important as nuclear fission reactions require neutrons to carry out their chain reactions. 
• The heavy water is kept under pressure which increases its boiling point so that it can operate at high temperatures without boiling.
• Heavy water is rare, and extracting it from ordinary water is expensive. 
• Although it comes at an increased price, it doesn't require the uranium fuel to be enriched like in some other nuclear reactors. 
• This greatly decreases the expense for heavy water because uranium enrichment requires separate facilities and extensive processes.

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB):

• The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board was constituted in 1983, by exercising the powers conferred by the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 to carry out certain regulatory and safety functions under the Act. 
• The regulatory authority of AERB is derived from the Rules and Notifications promulgated under the Atomic Energy Act and the Environment (Protection) Act, of 1986.
• Mission: The Mission of the AERB is to ensure the use of ionizing radiation and nuclear energy in India does not cause undue risk to the health of people and the environment.

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL):

• It is a Public Sector Enterprise under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Government of India. 
• The Company was registered as a Public Limited Company under the Companies Act, 1956 in September 1987.
• It has the objectives of operating atomic power plants and implementing atomic power projects for the generation of electricity in pursuance of the schemes and programs of the Government of India under the Atomic Energy Act, of 1962. 
• NPCIL also has equity participation in BHAVINI, another PSU of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) which implements the Fast Breeder Reactors program in the country.
• Operating Performance:
• Generation by all units of NPCIL in the financial year (FY) 2022-23 was 45855 MUs.
• In addition, 1127 MU of infirm power (means electricity injected into the grid before the commercial operation of a unit or block of the generating station) was also generated during the year.