- Unit 7 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (RAPP) at Rawatbhata, Chittorgarh, has achieved a critical milestone by reaching criticality.
- It marks the start of controlled fission reactions and moving from the construction phase to the operational phase.
- The Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) had previously cleared Unit 7 for its first approach to criticality.
- RAPP-7 is 3rd in a series of 16 indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) of 700 MW each.
- Units 3 and 4 of the Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in Gujarat became critical in 2020 and 2023, respectively, prior to RAPP-7.
- RAPP-7 is expected to start power generation later this year.
| Indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors The PHWR technology started with the construction of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS-1) in collaboration with Canada in the 1960s. After Canada’s withdrawal in 1974, India indigenized the technology and continued construction with locally produced components. PHWRs use natural uranium, enabling efficient fuel utilization and self-reliant technology development in India. PHWRs use pressure tubes instead of large pressure vessels, distributing pressure across many smaller tubes, which enhances safety. The core is surrounded by water, providing natural cooling in severe accident scenarios. The Indian 700 MWe PHWR incorporates a Passive Decay Heat Removal System and a steel-lined containment to reduce risks in case of coolant loss. |
Dig Deeper: Compare PHWR with Fast Neutron Reactors.
