The Unit 2 of the Kakrapur Atomic Power Station (KAPS) in Surat district in Gujarat attained criticality — which in other words means the initiation of self-sustaining nuclear fission chain reaction in the reactor - in the early hours of Monday.
Announcing this, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL)'s Associate Director (CP&CC) AK Nema said: “The 220 MW KAPS-2 went critical at 2.22 am today, after undergoing a renovation and modernisation programme, encompassing En-Masse Collant Channel Replacement, En Masse Feeder Replacement and other safety upgrades. The task was completed three and a half months ahead of the schedule”.
According to Nema, the NPCIL, Nuclear Fuel Complex (manufacturer of coolest channels), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and various vendors and contractors contributed to the KAPS-2 attaining criticality.
“The approach to criticality was undertaken after adhering to all the stipulated regulatory requirements, and shall be followed by conducting various tests, connection to the grid, increase in power level to full power as per laid down procedures and regulatory clearances,” Nema said.
The KAPS comprises two units of indigenous 220MW (KAPS-1&2) Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR), which commenced commercial operations in 1993 and 1995 respectively. Two more units of 700 MW PHWRs (KAPP-3 & 4) are under construction.
The NCPIL currently operates 22 nuclear power reactors, including the 100MW RAPS-1, owned by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), with a capacity of 6780MW.
Additionally, eight reactors with a capacity of 6200MW are currently under construction in different parts of India, while work is underway for 12 more nuclear reactors with a capacity of 9000MW for which all administrative and financial sanctions have been received from the government.