Unit 7 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Project- 7 & 8 Reaches Criticality

#AtomicEnergy #Criticality #RawatbhataNuclearPowerProject #NuclearFission

September 2024 : In a significant step forward for India’s nuclear energy ambitions, Unit-7 of the Rajasthan Atomic Power Project-7 & 8 (RAPP-7 & 8, 700 MW each) achieved a significant milestone on September 19, 2024, at 9:42 pm, by reaching criticality. This achievement is particularly notable as India continues to balance its growing energy needs with its commitments to reducing carbon emissions. This achievement follows the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board's (AERB) clearance for the First Approach to Criticality.

Reaching criticality in a nuclear reactor refers to the point at which a sustained and controlled nuclear fission chain reaction begins. At this stage, the number of neutrons produced by fission events is equal to the number of neutrons lost through absorption and leakage, resulting in a stable level of power output. This is a crucial milestone in the reactor's operational cycle, as it marks the transition from the construction phase to the operational phase. Achieving criticality is essential for the reactor to start generating heat, which can then be converted into electricity, thereby contributing to the overall energy supply. Safe management and precise control during this process are vital to ensure the reactor operates within designed safety parameters.

The RAPP-7&8 project, with a total planned capacity of 1400 MW, adds to the existing six operational units at Rawatbhata, which contribute 1180 MW to the grid. RAPP-7 is expected to commence power generation later this year, with RAPP-8 slated for the following year. NPCIL currently operates 24 reactors with a total capacity of 8180 MW and has eight units, including RAPP-7, with a capacity of 6800 MW under construction. An additional ten reactors, totalling 7000 MW, are in the pre-project stage, projected to be completed progressively by 2031-32.

The successful achievement of criticality at RAPP-7 not only strengthens India's energy security but also highlights the progress made in the field of nuclear power generation, reinforcing the country's position as a leader in nuclear technology.

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