Prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam gets its safety vessel

25 June 2008

Mumbai: The construction of the prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam, in Tamil Nadu, crossed an important milestone on Tuesday with the installation of its massive safety vessel, a critical component of the reactor.

The vessel, made of special stainless steel, is 13.5 metres in diameter, 13.5 metres in height and 43 metres in circumference, and weighs 160 tonnes. It was also the most difficult component to install.

The vessel, fabricated  by Larsen & Toubro, meets world-class specifications and has given a boost to the country's fast breeder reactor capabilities, according to Prabhat Kumar, project director of PFBR.

Atomic Energy Commission chairman Anil Kakodkar and Nuclear Power Corporation chairman and managing director S K Jain were also present at the occasion.

The PFBR, which will generate 500 MW of electricity, will use plutonium-uranium oxide as fuel and liquid sodium as coolant.

The safety vessel will prevent the liquid sodium in the main vessel from coming in contact with the reactor vault. The main vessel will be placed inside the safety vessel.