The BHEl, Bhopal, here on Thursday observed the foundation day of its thermal manufacturing division with great zeal and fervour. On this occasion, DD Pathak, General Manager, Thermal, RB Patil, Additional General Manager, Thermal, and other senior officials were present.
Pathak in his address said that the thermal group was established in the year 1968 and started production from 1971. Since the beginning the group’s product range included steam turbine, nuclear turbine, condenser, HP heater and auxiliary heat exchangers for 30 MW, 110 MW, 120 MW and 210 MW thermal as well as hydro projects. The production of 236 MW nuclear turbines started in the year 1976 whereas manufacturing of steam turbine started in the year 1980.
The group supplied various products to the State electricity board and as well exported to libya, Malaysia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Oman and various prominent customers as NTPC, NPCIl. A large number of industrial heat exchangers have also been supplied to IFFCO, FEDO, Reliance, ONGC and IOCl. Steam turbines for 270 MW, 250 MW & 195 MW projects; live Steam Re-heater; Re-heater drain vessel, gland steam condenser for 500 MW PFBIR; large size water butterfly valve and from the new products some products got started in the later years.
During 1978-80 the group started manufacturing nuclear turbine for 236 MW project. The division also successfully designed condenser, MSR and turbine for Kalpakkam nuclear power project- 3 and 4. The successful design for 800 MW super set has been done for the first time.