Categories
India News

Kudankulam N-plants to get new sensors

LUCH has launched production of a wide range of thermocouples of different measurement capacities depending on the material used to manufacture sensors and the case…reports Asian Lite News

Indian atomic power operator, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) will install new sensors supplied by Russia’s integrated nuclear power major Rosatom at its two running reactors in Tamil Nadu’s Kudankulam.

According to Rosatom, an agreement has been signed with the NPCIL to supply thermocouples for four power units in Kudankulam.

The new sensors designed for thermal control of nuclear power plant process equipment will replace the old ones in the internal reactor control systems of the Units 1 and 2 in Kudankulam.

High-accuracy resistance thermocouples are a critical element of the in-reactor control system, and their stable functioning ensures safe operation of nuclear reactor equipment.

These thermocouples are primary temperature measuring transducers designed to measure the temperature of the coolant in the “hot” and “cold” string of the main circulation pipeline under conditions of external influencing factors, Rosatom said.

The thermocouples are produced by LUCH Scientific Production Association, part of Rosatom.

LUCH has launched production of a wide range of thermocouples of different measurement capacities depending on the material used to manufacture sensors and the case.

In total, the enterprise will supply 200 units of resistance thermocouples labelled TSPT 5963. This modification is characterised by high stability of operation and has metrological characteristics at the level of leading world manufacturers.

The thermocouples are produced in stainless steel cases with fastening and sealing units, with polyamide or metal heads, as well as with flexible extension cables, said Konstantin Kabachny, Chief Metrologist.

Refuelling in July

The Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Company (Tangedco) wants the refuelling at Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) to take place in July instead of March.

The Tamil Nadu power utility will petition the Central power ministry regarding the same.

The Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) has allotted 1152 MW power for the state of Tamil Nadu per year. However, the Nuclear plant is shut down for two months from March leading to a shortage in power supply from the plant. In Tamil Nadu, March is a season of peak summer, and shutting down during this period leads to shortage of power for the state. This has led to the Tangedco officials taking this issue up with the higher authorities of Central power ministry who are in charge of the plant.

Meanwhile, the Southern Regional Power Committee (SRPC) meet will be held in Chennai on July 14. Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telengana, and Puducherry will participate in the regional power committee meeting.

Sources in the Tangedco told that the department would communicate with the Central power ministry on the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP) regarding the change of refuelling work from March to July and from next year onwards in the months of June and July. This is due to the fact that Tamil Nadu would like to have a relaxation in the peak summer by the month of June and July.

Notably, the Southern States accounted for all-time peak demand for power in the month of April 2022 with the demand shooting up to 60,876 MW. The installed capacity of Southern states has increased from 1,15,165 MW to 1,18,313 MW in a year.

ALSO READ-FANR approves 2022 operational plan of Barakah n-plant