Prototype fast reactor project on schedule

Venkatachari Jagannathan
05 September 2007

Chennai: The Rs3,492-crore 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) being built by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nagam Limited (Bhavini) is progressing as per schedule. (See: Powerful leap)

Come November, the reactor safety vessel will be lowered into the reactor vault. Fabricated by Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) at the project site, the safety vessel measures 13.4 metres in diameter and 13.4 metres high with a dish bottom.

Says Prabhat Kumar, project director, "For the first time in India, a reactor safety vessel has been fabricated at the project site."

The safety vessel for the 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) will be lowered into the reactor vault during the first week of November, 2007 at Kalpakkam. The vessel outer will be stacked with 0.1 mm thick mirror polish stainless steel plates that would act as the thermal insulation.

According to Kumar orders for all the major equipments has been placed and whatever remains will be bought as the project progress.

Critical components like main reactor vessel, inner vessel, steam generator and primary pipe will be received from L&T soon. The company will also assemble the reactor roof at the project site.