Vibrant Gujarat - Symposium Nuclear Energy: Technology, Safety & Environment

Proceedings Report:

Symposium on

“Nuclear Energy: Technology, Safety & Environment”

Date: 6th January 2014 Venue: Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University,

Gandhinagar

Organized by : Partners: Knowledge Partner:

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Contents Background ................................................................................................................................................... 3

Event Details ............................................................................................................................................... 4

List of Dignitaries .......................................................................................................................................... 4

Prof. P. K. Banik, Director General, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University ....................................... 5

Mr. G. Vaitheeswaran, Faculty, Department of Nuclear Energy, School of Technology, Pandit

Deendayal Petroleum University………………………………………………………………………………………………………5

Mr. S. K. Malhotra, Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic Energy, Chief Guest of the

Symposium………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………6

Dr. H. B. Raghavendra, Director – School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University……7

List of speakers – Technical Session 1………………………………………………………………………………………………….7

Mr. S. K. Malhotra, Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic Energy………………………………….7

Dr. M. Sai Baba, Associate Director, Resource Management Group, Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic

Research ................................................................................................................................................ 8

Mr. Indravadan Dulera, Reactor Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre .................... 9

List of speakers – Technical Session 2 ................................................................................................ 10

Dr.CVS Rao, Head – Plasma Diagnostics Division, Institute of Plasma Reasearch .............................. 10

Mr. L. K. Jain, Site Director – Kakrapar, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited ........................ 12

Mr. Ganesh Iyer, Jt. General Manager, Larsen & Toubro, Hazira Works ............................................ 12

List of speakers – Panel Discussion and Question & Answer Session ................................................... 13

Mr. A. Ravi Prasad, Adjunct Professor, Department of Nuclear Energy, School of Technology, Pandit

Deendayal Petroleum University ........................................................................................................ 15

Way forward ............................................................................................................................................... 15

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Background Nuclear power generation is driven by highly advanced technologies and precision based processes.

However, there is always a common school of thought that deployment of nuclear power is laced with

risks throughout the power generation system. This claim, although not entirely true, cannot be ruled

out of any significant discussions on nuclear power. Even small accidents at nuclear power reactors can

lead to massive negative implications in terms of human life, environment, costs of running the project

and the overall reputation of the country. The recent Fukushima Daiichi nuclear incident in Japan is just

another reminder of the scale of the malignant effects that a nuclear disaster can have.

India has acknowledged the importance of maintaining safe operations at nuclear power reactors and

hence all the reactors in the country adhere to strict safety standards. Nuclear power plants in India

operated by the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. have achieved about 386 reactor years of

experience in safe operation of nuclear power plants; and even nuclear effluents are strictly maintained

within the limits specified by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board. India’s three phase nuclear power

program is mostly indigenous and poised for even greater developments in the coming future.

In spite of the multiple security measures deployed for safer and cleaner generation of nuclear power,

there is a general consensus that any activity related to nuclear power is unsafe and having a

destructible tendency. There is a massive need to sensitize the public towards the benefits of nuclear

power and the safety measures undertaken during the entire process. Unless we are able to generate

significant public awareness about the advancements in nuclear power safety, the world will never be

able to fully appreciate the cutting edge technologies involved in this power generation process; and the

human talent and hard work that have gone into making nuclear power safe and sustainable.

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Event Details

Day 1 – 6th January, 2014

List of Dignitaries Name Organization

Mr. S. K. Malhotra Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic Energy (Chief Guest)

Prof. P. K. Banik Director General, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

Dr. CVS Rao Head – Plasma Diagnostics Division, Institute of Plasma Reasearch

Dr. M. Sai Baba Associate Director, Resource Management Group, Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research

Mr. L. K. Jain Site Director – Kakrapar, Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited

Mr. Indravadan Dulera Reactor Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Mr. Ganesh Iyer Jt. General Manager, Larsen & Toubro, Hazira Works

Dr. H. B. Raghavendra Director – School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

Mr. G. Vaitheeswaran Faculty, Department of Nuclear Energy, School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

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Prof. P. K. Banik, Director General, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum

University Welcome Address

Dr. Banik, in his welcome address stressed the importance of nuclear energy in India’s energy basket

and the need to generate more public awareness regarding nuclear safety. He highlighted the growth

story of the Department of Nuclear Energy within Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University and the role

being played by the department for the development of nuclear energy not just by training highly

talented students in the concerned field, but also by providing a platform for conducting sound research

in collaboration with both national and international organizations. Finally he once again warmly

welcomed all the participants of the symposium to engage in constructive discussions regarding the

advancements in nuclear power generation and the safety procedures employed therein.

Mr. G. Vaitheeswaran, Faculty, Department of Nuclear Energy, School

of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University About the Symposium

Mr. Vaitheeswaran next gave a brief introduction of the symposium and the need to organize such an

event in today’s times. He emphasized the clear importance of nuclear power in the world’s power

generation mix to meet the continuously rising global demand of energy. Nuclear power being a highly

clean source of energy, Mr. Vaitheeswaran called it the fuel of the future and stressed the need to

resolve key existing issues in the nuclear energy sector through constructive dialogue and discussion.

Finally, he thanked all the guests, eminent scientists, researchers and all concerned stake holders for

attending the symposium; and called upon the participants to make full use of this strong platform to

discuss the advancements in nuclear technology both from a short term as well as long term point of

view.

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Mr. S. K. Malhotra, Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic

Energy, Chief Guest of the Symposium

Inauguration Speech

Mr. S. K. Malhotra, the chief guest of the symposium delivered the inauguration speech to set the tone

of the symposium, sharing his ideas in his trademark articulate and humorous manner. He began by

highlighting the damage being caused to the environment due to incessant human activities and the

climate change cycle being observed as the result of this damage. In such a scenario, he advised the

need to promote cleaner and environment friendlier fuel options, with renewable energy clearly being a

front runner.

Speaking on the need to have more symposiums like this one, Mr. Malhotra also spoke at length about

the general fear psychosis that people generally have when it comes to nuclear power. He said that

radioactivity is indeed a harmful phenomena for living beings, however it is only the harmful part which

is highlighted to the general public, which is indeed disappointing. He highlighted the role being played

by radioactivity in important sectors such as healthcare, without which, human beings wouldn’t have

enjoyed such excellent disease prevention and curing technologies.

He then gave a brief summary on India’s nuclear energy program and the currently operating reactors in

India. Using a number of humorous examples and statistics, he stressed how nuclear power generation

was even safer than power generation from coal or hydroelectric power generation, simply because of

the immense safety measures employed in nuclear power generation. He explained how highly

regulated the nuclear power industry in India was, and even the measures that were being taken to

dispose nuclear waste.

Next Mr. Malhotra articulated on the major precautions that should be taken during nuclear power

generation to maintain the risk as low as possible. He said it was important to be able to control the

neutronic activity within the reactor and to be able to remove heat from the reactor as safely as

possible. These broad steps, combined with the guarantee that no radioactive leaks occur from the

reactor, go a long way in ensuring safe and environment friendly operations of nuclear reactors. He said

that five levels of safety were always followed in nuclear reactor operations, which is one of the basic

reasons why nuclear power generation is one of the safest processes in the power generation sector.

The importance of ADS technology in nuclear safety was also highlighted by the chief guest during his

address.

Mr. Malhotra then enumerated the three main principles of nuclear commerce from India’s point of

view namely: 1) Ensuring the supply of nuclear fuel 2) Reprocessing of nuclear fuel and 3) Continuation

of our three phase nuclear program; and highlighted their importance in the country’s development.

Finally, using some anecdotes, Mr. Malhotra emphasized how the Uranium – Plutonium – Thorium

program was important for strong and indigenous development of nuclear power in India; and how

public awareness needs to be continuously generated regarding the same. He concluded by officially

declaring the symposium open and wished the event a grand success.

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Dr. H. B. Raghavendra, Director – School of Technology, Pandit

Deendayal Petroleum University

Closing Remarks

The closing remarks of the inaugural session were given by Dr. Raghavendra who thanked all the

members of the organizing committee for putting up such a grand event only through their dedication

and hard work. He also thanked all the partners and supporters of the event; and finally all the

participants who had come to attend the seminar with total enthusiasm.

List of speakers – Technical Session 1

Evolution of Nuclear Reactor Technology and Safety

Name Organization Topic

Mr. S. K. Malhotra Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic Energy

Indian and International Best Practices in Public Affairs for Nuclear Energy


Fast Breeder Reactor Technology


Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Technology

Mr. S. K. Malhotra, Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic

Energy

Topic: Indian and International Best Practices in Public Affairs for Nuclear Energy

Mr. Malhotra started off with a summary on the growth of nuclear power in the world so far, and the

constant obstacles and hurdles being faced in the same. He explained how nuclear power is often

misunderstood and confused by the general populace and also the role played by external factors in the

same. He then highlighted some of the contributions that nuclear energy makes to the overall

development of the society in the fields of agriculture and healthcare, but which go unnoticed to the

world at large. Statistically, he showed how nuclear power had an ambitious growth story from the early

1970s to mid 1980s which was hampered by the shock of the Chernobyl accident in Russia.

When the world started coming out of this shock and nuclear power was on the rise once again, the

Fukushima disaster took place which once again led to the world getting risk averse in dealing with

nuclear power. He then showed the role that BRIC countries will play in the development of nuclear

power in the coming future. However, he highlighted that many people in developing countries around

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the world have very little knowledge of nuclear energy and only know it by the unfortunate accidents

associated with it.

Finally, Mr. Malhotra summarized the role of effective communication in sensitizing the society towards

the importance of nuclear power; and making the society understand how safe and effective nuclear

power can prove to be in the near future. He stressed the need for an attractive R&R policy or CSR

measures along with the usage of sound communication methods to make the world more aware and

knowledgeable about the safe nature of nuclear power. He concluded by highlighting some of the

initiatives taken by the Department of Atomic Energy towards generating nuclear energy awareness

amongst not only the educated class, but also amongst young school children and the general public on

the whole.

Dr. M. Sai Baba, Associate Director, Resource Management Group,

Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research Topic: Fast Breeder Reactor Technology

Dr. Sai Baba started his presentation by giving a glimpse of the importance for cleaner and greener

energy to have sustainable development in the future. With the help of interesting statistics, Dr. Sai

Baba showed the rates at which electricity demand and consumption in the world are growing and the

effects that various energy generation techniques have on the environment.

He then gave an introduction of the process of nuclear fusion and the breeding process in nuclear

reactors. A detailed description of the three phase closed fuel cycle program was also given by which he

stressed the cutting edge technologies being used at each stage of the process.

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Dr. Sai Baba then talked at length about the Fast

Breeder Reactor (FBR) technology and its status both

in India and worldwide. Here, he mentioned that FBR

could be the first totally indigenous technology for

India. R&D issues in the development of the FBR

program were also covered during the discussion. The

Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research is amongst

the prestigious institutes that are responsible for the

development of nuclear power in India, and Dr. Sai

Baba, representing such an august center, gave a brief

about the center’s vision and goals that they intend to

achieve in the coming future.

The various aspects in the design, manufacture and testing of various components of a FBR were also

discussed during the presentation. Advancements in the studies on fuel cycles, fuel reprocessing,

sodium fire safety and erection of the reactor assembly were also discussed at length. Dr. Sai Baba

pointed out that reactor care should be taken as per the geo – political location of the reactor and blind

comparisons with other regions shouldn’t be made during the same.

Finally, he summarized the need for India to successfully implement the FBR program and the various

companies involved in the same. Dr. Sai Baba ended his presentation by once again stressing the need

for various stakeholders of the nuclear power generation process to work together towards achieving

the single aim of development and promotion of cleaner and safer nuclear energy.

Mr. Indravadan Dulera, Reactor Engineering Division, Bhabha Atomic

Research Centre Topic: Advanced Heavy Water Reactor Technology

Mr. Indravadan Dulera started off his presentation by explaining the current nuclear energy scenario

and the need to develop further advancements in the field of nuclear power generation. He highlighted

the Indian case and the reasons why India can and should follow its three phase nuclear power program.

The importance of advanced reactors to meet India’s energy requirements was highlighted in this

context.

Mr. Dulera explained that four types of advanced reactors are being developed by the Bhabha Atomic

Research Centre (BARC) namely: 1) Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) 2) Compact High

Temperature Reactor (CHTR) 3) Innovative High Temperature reactor (IHTR) and 4) Molten Salt Breeder

Reactor (MSBR)

Each of these four reactors were explained in great detail over the course of the presentation from the

point of view of their design, goals, included safety features, process flow diagrams, components of the

reactors and major areas of development. The description of each reactor was technically very

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exhaustive and covered even the minute design and operational features of each of the four reactors.

Mr. Dulera also pointed out few of the opportunities for further research in the development of each of

these reactors and asked the young research community to look at each of these opportunities as newer

challenges and find ways to overcome these challenges.

Finally he concluded by remarking that thorium is perhaps the most important fuel from a nuclear point

of view and the AHWR was being developed as a demonstrator for the industrial scale thorium fuel

cycle. He also pointed out that India and the huge talent pool of Indian scientists was working towards

the development of high temperature reactors and MSBRs and this should help India’s nuclear power

program tremendously in the years to come.

List of speakers – Technical Session 2

Evolution of Nuclear Reactor Technology and Safety

Name Organization Topic


Fusion Technology and its progress


Indian PHWR Technology, Safety and Operational Experiences


Academic Institutions’ preparedness for the technical man power supply for the anticipated growth in Nuclear Industry

Dr.CVS Rao, Head – Plasma Diagnostics Division, Institute of Plasma

Research Topic: Fusion Technology and its progress

Dr. CVS Rao started his talk with a detailed introduction and discussion on the nuclear fusion process

including the mechanism of the process and the differences between nuclear fusion and fission

processes. He gave an idea of the scale of fusion reactions and highlighted how these reactions occurred

in stars such as the Sun.

Much of Dr. Rao’s talk centered on the most advanced device in toroidal confinement which is named as

Tokomak by the Russians. He gave an exhaustive and detailed description of the Tokomak including its

design, features, advanced characteristics and the progress so far in global Tokomak development.

He summarized the current global as well as Indian program for Tokomak development and research in

a very lucid and illustrative format. The scale of the size and engineering complexity of the Tokomak, as

shown by Dr. Rao through illustrative pictures, was enough to astound the audience throughout the

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presentation. The Plasma Burning process along with issues and challenges in the same were also

highlighted.

A summary of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) then followed with Dr. Rao

presenting the global support garnered for ITER development along with the support from the R&D

sector to build the complex components of the ITER. The Indian contribution to the ITER development

was highlighted along with the probable Indian fusion roadmap for a better and nuclear power friendly

future.

To sum up, Dr. Rao stressed on the importance of using best quality material for safe and effective

development of nuclear projects such as the ITER. He remarked that structural properties of the raw

materials need to be continuously studied and modified, and awareness generated about the same.

Mr. L. K. Jain, Site Director – Kakrapar, Nuclear Power Corporation of

India Limited Topic: Indian PHWR Technology, Safety and Operational Experiences

Mr. L. K. Jain from NPCIL started his presentation by giving an introduction of the Pressurized Heavy

Water Reactor (PHWR) technology including the fission chain reaction and the ways in which the

reaction is controlled inside the reactor. Power generation in the PHWR and various components of the

PHWR were explained through illustrative diagrams and process flow diagrams. He then gave an

overview of the various nuclear power plants in India including special focus on the Kakrapar power

station.

In the next section of his talk, the extensive safety features employed in nuclear power plants were

detailed along with illustrative diagrams. Safety features like these definitely need to be highlighted to

change public opinion regarding nuclear power plants and Mr. Jain did an excellent job by including this

part in his presentation.

Mr. Jain finally illustrated various PHWR experiences in his presentation along with statistical details

showing the safety records and various safety methods adopted by the NPCIL. He then concluded his

operational – experience oriented talk by showcasing some of the awards and accolades won by the

Kakrapar nuclear plant over the course of its operation.

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Mr. Ganesh Iyer, Jt. General Manager, Larsen & Toubro, Hazira Works Topic: Academic Institutions’ preparedness for the technical man power supply for the anticipated

growth in Nuclear Industry

Mr. Ganesh Iyer kicked off the last technical presentation of the symposium by giving an statistical

overview of nuclear power generation all around the globe; and the further developments planned in

this sector globally. He expressed confidence in the development of the sector in India and around the

world, due to an increasing awareness and a combination of essential supporting factors in the right

mix.

After showcasing the various focus areas in nuclear power generation, he moved on to the major part of

his presentation which was a discussion of the technological and scientific challenges being faced by the

nuclear industry and the ways in which academia can help in this regard.

A number of engineering and welding challenges were illustrated and the ways his organization

successfully overcame these challenges were also explained. In his final section on institutional

preparedness, Mr. Iyer summarized the various focus areas that need to be taught to young personnel

entering the nuclear industry and the ways to modify the curriculums to suit these challenges. Mr. Iyer

concluded by demonstrating some of the illustrative steps that can be taken to bridge the gap between

academia and industry; and hoped that both these sectors would work closely to chart India’s successful

nuclear energy future.

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List of speakers – Panel Discussion and Question & Answer

Session

India’s Nuclear Energy: Prospects and Challenges

Name Organization

Mr. S. K. Malhotra Head – Public Awareness, Department of Atomic Energy (Chairman of the Panel)






The final segment of the event was an open house question – and – answer session with a number of

relevant questions being asked by the audience to the distinguished panel, related to their

presentations as well as India’s general nuclear energy prospects.

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The session started with a discussion on fuel cells and their importance as a future source of energy,

albeit not a very major source, but yes as an important source of energy. The next question was

regarding the microfusion – fission propulsion system and its feasibility in space. The panelists then

highlighted the role of ISRO and BARC in conducting research in the concerned field. Questions related

to software used in designing of reactors and technical questions related to nuclear fusion and fission

processes were also answered spontaneously and very adeptly by all the panelists.

The major topic of discussion during this session was related to the participation of private industry

players in India’s nuclear power generation sector and the reasons for a majority participation still being

seen from the public sector companies. The panelists highlighted the fact that as per the atomic energy

act, less than 50% participation is only allowable from the side of private players in terms of ownership

of nuclear power plants in India. One of the major reasons for such regulations is the safety and security

issues related to nuclear power plants and nuclear fuels.

Even NPCIL doesn’t own any nuclear fuel and even spent nuclear fuel could be used as a source of

energy by groups with evil intentions, if not taken care of properly. Hence the basic conclusion of this

decision was that private players are always welcome to participate in the nuclear energy sector, if not

necessarily in owning the power plants, but definitely in the development and advancement of the

nuclear power sector in India.

The panel session thus proved to be a very informative and educative one. The enthusiastic participants

got a golden chance to interact openly with such knowledgeable panelists and both parties made fully

effective and exhaustive use of the same.

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Mr. A. Ravi Prasad, Adjunct Professor, Department of Nuclear Energy,

School of Technology, Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University

Vote of Thanks

The vote of thanks for the seminar was delivered by Mr. A. Ravi Prasad who thanked each one of the

speakers for taking out their time to share their knowledge during this symposium. He enumerated the

activities being conducted by the parent organizations of each of the speakers in conjunction with

Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University and the way it was benefitting the students of the institute. He

concluded by thanking all the organizers for their support throughout the organization of the event and

all the participants for ensuring the grand success of this symposium on Nuclear Energy: Technology,

Safety & Environment.

Way Forward

The one day symposium turned out to be a strong platform for researchers and industry players to come

together and discuss the issues, challenges and way forward in the development of India’s nuclear

energy program. Each of the speakers demonstrated the advancements being conducted in the field of

nuclear power generation and the safe ways to take these developments forward.

Government & private sector should join hands to educate the society more about the safe and

environment friendly applications of nuclear energy, not just as a fuel but also in the other public

welfare domains such as agriculture and healthcare

Government should examine & take steps on the current public awareness methods and should also

find out ways to increase their efficiency.

Government should undertake initiatives to educate the masses on the importance & necessity of

nuclear energy to meet India’s future energy demands

Younger research fraternity should be encourage by the society to develop innovative solution to

the challenges in the development and operation of technological wonders such as the AHWRs, ITER

and the Tokomak

The private sector should be encouraged to participate more in the development of nuclear energy

on a PPP basis, so as to leverage their technical knowhow and availability of capital

Industries and academia should work in collaboration to reduce the general gaps in demand and

supply of skilled manpower

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