Nuclear (Physics) Part-II

Kaiga power station is a nuclear power generating station situated at Kaiga near the river Kali in Uttar Karwar district of Karnataka. Its second unit of 220 MW was dedicated to the nation in March, 2000.

Presently it has four units of 220 MW capacity each working properly and among them, the fourth unit was started on 20 January, 2011.

In Kudankulam (Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu) two 1,000 MW pressurized water reactor (PWR-VVER) units based on Russian technology are being erected in phase one of the project. Additional four units are scheduled to be added as per the agreement signed between India and Russia in December, 2008.

At present, 2 units of 1000 MW each are operationalized here. Units 3 and 4 (1000 MW each) are expected to start commercial operation in 2024. Construction of units 5 and 6 commenced in June 2021 which is scheduled to be completed by 2026-2027.

Heavy water (D₂O), also called deuterium oxide, contains a larger than normal amount of the hydrogen isotope deuterium. It is used as moderator in the reactor to slow down the neutrons produced in fission so that the chain reaction can be sustained.

Many reactors also use Light water or normal water (H₂O), Graphite or Beryllium oxide as moderator. In India, mainly heavy water is used as moderator in nuclear reactors.

Heavy water (D₂O), also called deuterium oxide, contains a larger than normal amount of the hydrogen isotope deuterium. It is used as moderator in the reactor to slow down the neutrons produced in fission so that the chain reaction can be sustained.

Many reactors also use Light water or normal water (H₂O), Graphite or Beryllium oxide as moderator. In India, mainly heavy water is used as moderator in nuclear reactors.

Heavy water (D₂O), also called deuterium oxide, contains a larger than normal amount of the hydrogen isotope deuterium. It is used as moderator in the reactor to slow down the neutrons produced in fission so that the chain reaction can be sustained.

Many reactors also use Light water or normal water (H₂O), Graphite or Beryllium oxide as moderator. In India, mainly heavy water is used as moderator in nuclear reactors.

A fast breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor which produces electricity by the fission process. This type of reactor produces more fissile material that it burns.

A fast breeder reactor is a nuclear reactor which produces electricity by the fission process. This type of reactor produces more fissile material that it burns.

The Nuclear Power Corporation of India (NPCIL) is now in a position to sell "Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWRs) of 220 MW or 540 MW to other countries.

Tha statement was delivered by the chairman of Atomic Energy Commission, Mr. Srikumar Banerjee in 54th general meeting of International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna in 2010.

With a total installed capacity of 2000 MW, at present Kudankulam is the largest nuclear power station in India. Kaiga Atomic Power Station has four units. All of the four units are small-sized CANDU plants of 220 MW, therefore total installed capacity is equal to 880 MW.

Tarapur atomic power station has an installed capacity of 1400 MW. Kakarapar atomic power station consists of two 220 MW and two 700 MW pressurized water reactors with heavy water as a moderator (PHWR) therefore total installed capacity is 1840 MW.

All these nuclear power plants are operated by NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd).

Nuclear power is the fourth largest source of energy in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable source of energy. The percentage of nuclear energy in India's total energy generation was about 3% in the question period.

According to the data of 31 March, 2024, there are 23 nuclear reactors (excluding Rajasthan Atomic Power Station's Unit 1 of 100 MW, which is closed since 2004) commercially operational in India, whose total installed capacity is 8080 MW, which is only about 1.83% of India's total installed energy generation capacity.