Work on Rawatbhata atomic plant begins

Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd’s second pair of indigenously designed 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) — RAPP-7 & 8 (Rajasthan Atomic Power Project 7&8) — achieved first pour of concrete on Monday at Rawatbhata.

Atomic Energy Commission chairman Srikumar Banerjee and NPCIL chairman Shreyans Kumar Jain were present on the occasion. Banerjee gave the command to pour the concrete by pressing the button on the control panel of the concrete pressure pump. Soon the M45 grade concrete began pouring in the foundation of what would be the emergency core cooling system of the new reactor building.

The concrete is being poured at the rate of 90 cubic metres per hour and at a controlled temperature of 19 degree Celsius. To monitor the temperature, ice is being mixed with the concrete.

The First Pour of Concrete (FPC) is an important milestone in the construction of a nuclear power project and signifies the start of the construction (zero date).  The reactors are scheduled to be completed in 2016-17. On their completion, 1,400 MW capacity will be added to the Northern Electricity Grid, of which 700 MW will be allocated to Rajasthan.