The welding of the main coolant pipeline at the upcoming third 1,000 MW atomic power plant at Tamil Nadu's Kudankulam got completed early this month, Russia’s integrated nuclear power major Rosatom said on Friday.
According to Rosatom, the welding of the main coolant pipeline which began in December 2022, was completed on August 5.
The main coolant pipeline combines the main equipment of the primary circuit, including the reactor, the steam generators, and the reactor coolant pumps. Considering high requirements for quality and operational conditions, the main coolant pipeline welding is one of the most complicated and important stages of civil and erection works at the power unit.
"It is the reactor coolant pipeline that carries the water heated in the reactor into the steam generators from which the generated steam goes into the turbine steam path, and the turbine generator generates electricity," Rosatom said.
The Russian company said the main coolant pipeline has a total length of about 140 m, the thickness of the pipe walls is 70 mm, and the total length of 28 welded joints is more than 87 m. Its design service life is 60 years in a tough environment.
During the welding of the main coolant pipeline which began in December 2022, a technology proposed by the Russian party was used, which made it possible for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) to reduce the operation time from 270 to 219 days.
Upon completion of the main coolant pipeline welding, "flushing with the open reactor" operations and the "hydraulic tests and circulation flushing of the primary circuit" stage will start, Rosatom added.
India's atomic power plant operator NPCIL has two functional 1,000 MW plants (Units 1 and 2) at Kudankulam, while four more (Units 3, 4, 5 and 6) are under construction. All the six units are built with Russian technology and equipment supplied by Rosatom.
Major equipment for building the third and fourth units have reached Kudankulam from Russia, while a sizable number of components for the fifth and sixth units are to come.
Mistake that benefits no one: World leaders react to Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs'
As US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," the world reacted sharply against the decision, with some calling it a "mistake that benefits no one" while others called it a violation of Washington's obligations under the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Indian pharmaceutical exports get reprieve from Trump’s reciprocal tariffs
Because of the importance of India’s pharmaceuticals to US healthcare, those exports will get a reprieve from President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariffs, according to the White House.
India stands less impacted by Trump tariffs than global peers: Industry
As US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs on dozens of countries, including India, industry experts said on Thursday that it appears India's export competitiveness to the US market stands far less impacted on a relative basis compared to global peers.
IAF pilot killed, another critical as Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Gujarat
An Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot lost his life, while another sustained critical injuries after their two-seater Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Gujarat's Jamnagar Airfield, the IAF confirmed on Thursday.
PM Modi emplanes for Thailand; to attend BIMSTEC summit
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emplaned for Thailand on a state visit to attend the 6th BIMSTEC Summit, with his visit also set to bolster bilateral relations between New Delhi and Bangkok.
Tripura CM stresses promoting NE states' potential to attract investment
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday said that the development of the communication process and system has generated a lot of investment potential, and therefore, more emphasis should be placed on promotion to attract investors in all the northeastern states.
Tripura has 94,723 Lakhpati Didis; 93,425 women to get similar status soon: Minister
Among the 4,75,582 Self Help Group (SHGs) members in Tripura, 94,723 women emerged as ‘Lakhpati Didis’ through their engagement in various enterprising units and 93,425 more women would be ‘Lakhpati Didis’ soon, Social Welfare and Labour Minister Tinku Roy said.
Bhavan’s Little Learners celebrate annual programme
The Bhavan’s Little Learners, Bordowali celebrated annual programme and organised prize distribution ceremony here at Agartala Rabindra Satabarshiki Bhavan on Wednesday.