India nuclear news and discussion

sanjaykumar · Post by **sanjaykumar** » 25 Jan 2009 09:14

http://www.worldenergy.org/documents/p001515.pdf

The key aspect lies in the following statement by the Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre (BARC): “The AHWR fuel cycle will be self-sufficient in 233U after initial
loading. The spent fuel streams will be reprocessed and thorium and 233U will then be
recycled and reused. There are also plans to recycle the actinides back into the reactor”.
This means that this is a 300 MWe self-breeder that has a critical mass of only about 600
kg of 233U

Prabu · Post by **Prabu** » 25 Jan 2009 17:56

So, we are on the right track !

India-Kazakhstan sign 5 nuclear pacts

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 25 Jan 2009 17:57

Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar, environmentalist Sunderlal Bahugna awarded Padma Vibhushan — PTI

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 25 Jan 2009 19:04

PNNL travels globe for nuclear detection research

Researchers at the national lab in Richland earlier worked on ways to detect radioactive xenon, which is released during nuclear explosions. Even in underground test blasts, when some radionuclides decay quickly and never seep up to the surface of the ground, some xenon will make its way into the atmosphere to circle the globe.
But xenon also can be detected from the operation of nuclear power plants and the production of medical isotopes.Now researchers are collaborating in the International Xenon Measurement Project to characterize background readings to learn more about what detection of xenon may indicate.

The work in Nepal will bring a new set of challenges, Bowyer said. Poverty is extreme and researchers expect electricity to be turned off at night, so they'll need a system to power equipment for 24-hour xenon measurements. Some supplies, such as helium, will have to be shipped from India, making it an expensive trip despite the poverty of the area.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 25 Jan 2009 22:11

Any news on the proton accelerator that was being built for sustaining Thorium based reactors?

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 27 Jan 2009 00:58

Pranab to control the 'nuke button' till PM recovers

New Delhi: A day before Prime Minister Manmohan Singh got admitted into AIIMS for his heart-bypass, he signed a document delegating the vital Nuclear Command Authority powers to External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. Besides, the PM appointed Mukherjee as the Finance Minister till he is fully recovered to take the charge back.

Contrary to reports, the so-called nuclear button was handed over to Pranab as soon as the decision to go for surgery was taken by the PM. However, the decision to put Mukherjee as head of Finance was taken after discussions with Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 27 Jan 2009 02:37

link

Another mature nuclear power in the neighborhood, India, has pursued a similar approach to Iran’s. After its first nuclear test in 1974, India tried to persuade the world that the test was for peaceful purposes, with little success and few penalties.

Crude psy-ops trying to link India with Iran.

The fact is that the characteristics of the test were that of a PNE (Peaceful Nuclear Explosive). PNEs are actually mentioned in the NPT treaty text. NNWS have a right to be provided with such if they request.

India didn't weaponize till Rajiv Gandhi ordered it, a decade later.

And those 'few penalties' include wide ranging sanctions that are still in place, 3 decades+ later

Philip · Post by **Philip** » 27 Jan 2009 13:25

Chinese nuclear deterrence policy spelt out in a white paper in the intl. nuclear thread.Comparisons with India's needed.Link here.

http://www.fas.org/blog/ssp/2009/01/chinapaper.php

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 29 Jan 2009 04:00

India risks losing its nuclear ally in Washington

renukb · Post by **renukb** » 29 Jan 2009 09:31

Gerard wrote:India risks losing its nuclear ally in Washington

India must tell Barak Obama, that "nuclear nonproliferation" can happen only when other nations including India itself, achieves conventional weapons warfare parity. Until then, "nuclear nonproliferation" is a pipe dream.

If forced, India should buy enough Uranium and test a megatonne nuclear bomb.

ramana · Post by **ramana** » 30 Jan 2009 02:24

CDAC's Success Story

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 30 Jan 2009 03:15

India to sign IAEA inspection agreement on Monday - diplomat

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 30 Jan 2009 03:17

Russian nuclear-powered warship visits Indian port

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 31 Jan 2009 01:38

‘France willing to reprocess uranium for India’

France has indicated its willingness to consider taking back uranium for reprocessing if India is not in a position to reprocess the entire amount.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 31 Jan 2009 21:19

India to seal IAEA agreement on Feb 2

SSridhar · Post by **SSridhar** » 01 Feb 2009 17:27

Kalpakkam Fast Breeder Reactor will be ready next year

After over two decades of work, India's first nuclear reactor that will breed more fuel than it consumes will be ready next year, say senior officials at the Kalpakkam nuclear complex 80 km from here.

The heavily-guarded complex is a hive of activity now as the 4,000-odd experts who are designing and building the 500-MW prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) can finally foresee when it will be ready.

If all goes well, the Rs.35 billion (Rs.3,500 crore/$700 million) project promoted by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (Bhavini) will become the crowning glory for the experts past and present at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) at the complex that already houses four nuclear power reactors.

"The project is interestingly poised. Civil construction is nearing completion. Most of the reactor components are at the site and deliveries of other equipment are expected soon," IGCAR Director Baldev Raj told IANS.

Measured in terms of physical progress - including component manufacturing - around 40 percent of the project work is complete with an average increase of around 2.5 percent every month.

Officials are hopeful of getting the necessary clearances from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) this month to erect the main vessel and other equipments.

Last June, the huge safety vessel (200 tonnes, 13 metres in diameter and 13 metres in depth) was lowered into the reactor vault.

"Normally safety clearances are in a sequence; first for the site followed by clearances for concrete pour, erection of major equipments and reactor commissioning," IGCAR's reactor engineering group director S.C. Chetal told IANS.

As the project itself is first of its kind in India clearance for lowering of the safety vessel was obtained first.

Bhavini's project director Prabhat Kumar, who literally oversees the project's progress through the glass wall opposite his seat, told IANS: "Around Rs.1400 crore (Rs.14 billion) has been spent till date. This year we have exceeded even the revised estimates of Rs.725 crore (Rs.7.25 billion)."

Orders have been placed for equipments worth around Rs.32.50 billion (Rs.3,250 crore) and purchase orders worth Rs.2.5 billion (Rs.250 crore) will be soon issued.

Reeling off the equipment that has been received - safety vessel, main vessel, thermal insulation, thermal baffle, five sodium pumps, four argon buffer tanks, grid plate and others - Kumar listed the items to be received, such as inner vessel, roof slabs for the reactor building, compressed air system and nitrogen supply system.

Around 175 tonnes of solid sodium in 98 tankers have been imported from France and out of that 75 tonnes have been transferred to the sodium tanks.

"Next fiscal we will get two steam generators, heat exchangers, sodium pumps, similar panels," he added.

Civil works to house power generation equipment like turbine generator and facilities like sea water pump house, sea water intake and others have started and by this March switchyard, auxiliary power and outfall structures will be ready.

Confident that the reactor would start generating power some time in 2010, Kumar added a rider: "There may be some surprises as the project is the first of its kind in many ways".

He added: "Each and every weld point in reactor equipment has to be inspected and safety certified. It is dangerous to ease fabrication and welding processes."

The officials, however, fall silent when asked about rise in project cost due to rising prices of steel, cement and other raw material. "The Bhavini board has to consider the revised cost estimates first," is all they say.

Prabu · Post by **Prabu** » 01 Feb 2009 19:28

Great news indeed. Is this will be out of safe guards ? Any views, Guru's ?

SSridhar wrote:Kalpakkam Fast Breeder Reactor will be ready next year

Nitesh · Post by **Nitesh** » 01 Feb 2009 19:31

Yes it will be out of safeguards.

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 01 Feb 2009 19:35

No IAEA safeguards.

See
The importance of Kalpakkam

The declaration of a no-fly zone above Kalpakkam up to an altitude of 10,000 feet and within a radius of 10 km comes as no surprise to the strategic community, as the key atomic energy installation has been identified by India as a non-civilian facility and will, therefore, not open for international safeguards.

Regardless of whether the plutonium reprocessed in Kalpakkam is part of the weapons programme, the ongoing breeder technology activity makes the facility an important component of India's long-term energy security.

Mohan G · Post by **Mohan G** » 01 Feb 2009 20:07

Gerard wrote:Russian nuclear-powered warship visits Indian port

Am I missing something?

Yes, the protests. Where are the leftists, environmentalists, and others ?

Trade unions, parties protest USS Nimitz visit

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 01 Feb 2009 22:38

Areva to sign Indian nuclear deal this week: French minister

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Feb 2009 02:12

Cirus reactor to be put into ‘maximum use’ prior its end

p_saggu · Post by **p_saggu** » 02 Feb 2009 02:42

What does the term shut down the reactor encompass?
Is the reactor vessel taken out? Is the building itself closed? I don't think they will just remove all fuel and put the facility under lock and key, exactly what is done when a reactor is decommissioned?

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Feb 2009 02:56

Kudankulam first reactor work nearing completion

The containment dome of the second reactor building, seen through the barrel-hole of the first reactor building of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project in Tamil Nadu.

ShauryaT · Post by **ShauryaT** » 02 Feb 2009 04:58

Gerard wrote:Cirus reactor to be put into ‘maximum use’ prior its end

What were we doing with it till now

and where is the replacement?

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 02 Feb 2009 06:11

India to sign nuclear safeguards agreement in Vienna today

ajay_ijn · Post by **ajay_ijn** » 02 Feb 2009 21:56

India and IAEA sign nuclear inspections deal
The agreement will enter into force once India notifies the Vienna-based IAEA in writing that it has ratified it. It was not immediately clear when that would be.

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 03 Feb 2009 20:28

Adding 1660 MW more by this year

Kailash · Post by **Kailash** » 03 Feb 2009 20:29

Areva arrives

They are building 2 reactors in India - source

putnanja · Post by **putnanja** » 05 Feb 2009 04:06

NPCIL signs pact with Areva for setting up reactors

fair-use excerpt posted :

...
According to an NPCIL statement, the pact provides for the “engagement of NPCIL and Areva in discussions for preparing the contract and related details for setting up two to six 1,650 MWe (mega watt electric) new-generation European Pressurised Reactor (EPR) units, including life-time fuel supply for these reactors.”

“This is the first commercial step to end India’s nuclear isolation,” the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Mr Prithviraj Chavan, said at a conference organised to sign the deal. Mr Chavan said two reactors will be built at a proposed nuclear park at Jaitapur, Maharashtra, which could be expanded to include four more.

“Many more sites will be announced by the Government soon, with six to eight reactors in each,” he said, adding there are plans to build more reactors with “friendly countries”, including the US, France and Russia.
...

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 05 Feb 2009 07:39

India to use Kazakh uranium as fuel for nuclear its reactors

darshhan · Post by **darshhan** » 05 Feb 2009 08:21

Can we discuss India's nuclear doctrine on this forum?

Rahul Shukla · Post by **Rahul Shukla** » 05 Feb 2009 10:12

India not to sign CTBT even if US insists: Pranab (India Today)

India has said that it will not sign Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) or Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) even if the Barack Obama administration presses it to do so.

Vipul · Post by **Vipul** » 05 Feb 2009 23:00

India to stockpile nuclear fuel: Anil Kakodkar.

India will now develop its own stockpile of nuclear fuel to fulfil its energy needs, taking advantage of the guarantees given in the
Indo-US civil nuclear agreement, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said on Thursday.

"The fuel supply guarantee is in the inter-governmental agreement, the fuel supply agreement and the nuclear reactor agreement. On top of it, we will develop our own stockpile of nuclear fuel," Kakodkar told during an interaction with members of the Merchants Chamber of Commerce.

Noting that the physical size of the N-fuel inventory was small, he said, "in the agreement, we have built in a right to store a lifetime of fuel stockpiles. This is embedded as a legal guarantee on thorium. In reality, how much we will stockpile will be for us to decide."

Asked what he meant by a lifetime, he said it depended on the type of reactors being used. "Heavy Water Reactors (HWR) can be run for 30 years by replacing components. The Advanced HWRs we are designing will have a life of 100 years."

Kakodkar, who was speaking on 'Perspectives on Evolving Nuclear Power Programme', said while 4,000 MW of N-power was being produced in the country, taking this to 10,000 MW by 2020 would not be an issue by recycling thorium as fuel with three-stage technology.

ajay_ijn · Post by **ajay_ijn** » 06 Feb 2009 16:15

Kailash wrote:Areva arrives

They are building 2 reactors in India - source

are we having any license production and offset type things in aquisition process?. cost seems to be high, 10 billion for two 1600 MW reactors.

Neela · Post by **Neela** » 06 Feb 2009 18:22

Was trying to get some info on the Japanese Nuclear industry.

The feeling that I get is that Japan seems to be very reluctant to deal with India directly!
Politically , I don't think much has changed since Pokhran II . What this basically means is that for Japan, brown skin and anything Nuclear don't go together!

Nov 2008 article:

http://www.zeenews.com/Nation/2008-11-2 ... 4news.html

He also said Japan was keenly waiting to work with India in this field but it may not be in the near future as India has to commit itself to disarmament

.

After some analysis of data publicly available, it has come to light that the Japanese supply a lot of components to the leading players

The alliances are as follows:

Toshiba-Westinghouse group
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-Areva group
Hitachi-General Electric group.

Conceit!

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 07 Feb 2009 05:37

Russia to Supply India With First Uranium Since Nuclear Ban

Gerard · Post by **Gerard** » 07 Feb 2009 05:39

India to Commission First Commercial Fast Breeder Nuclear Reactor by 2010

Raj Malhotra · Post by **Raj Malhotra** » 07 Feb 2009 10:19

Can somebody explain the significance of 500mw PFBR vs 300mw AHWR? thanx

Arun_S · Post by **Arun_S** » 07 Feb 2009 10:32

In nut shell, PFBR is the most difficult reactor aspect of 3 stage fuel cycle, AND the second step in the 3 stepped process because even after acquiring same rights as other advanced nuclear countries, India does not have the same right to import enriched Uranium or even plutonium to directly jump to the 3rd step (aka AHWR). So India is still back to the same square as before MMS penned the love song of Bush that IUSCN agreement is to light up with nuclear power the hut of Leelawati and Kalavati

Carry on smarting under the sun while other ride the buggy you pull. India gets what it deserves.

--------------------------
Added later: Forgot to mention that AHWR is a much simpler reactor that is technologically not much different from Indian first stage PHWR. And yes a reactor type very similar to AHWR is already announced to be imported by DAE from Canada under the name Advanced-CANDU (ACR). (IIRC 2 ACRs for net 2GWe capacity was in news few weeks ago).
Wiki: Advanced CANDU Reactor