L&T builds India's first 700 MWe steam generator for nuclear power plant

L&T Heavy Engineering has successfully flagged off India’s first nuclear 700 MWe steam generator for Kakrapar nuclear power plant of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) in Gujarat. The indigenously designed pressurised heavy water reactor (PHWR) is for the unit 3 Kakrapar power station. The first steam generator reached Kakrapar nuclear power plant on June 16, 2015. The second steam generator is scheduled to be dispatched on July 4, 2015.
 
A nuclear steam generator is one of the most critical safety Class 1 equipment in a nuclear island. It enables heat transfer from primary side heavy water to generate steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. Each steam generator weighs about 215 MT and is made of special low alloy quenched & tempered steel with nickel-iron-chromium alloy tubes and stainless steel internals.
 
M V Kotwal, president (heavy engineering) & member of the board, Larsen & Toubro, said, “The completion of first 700 MWe PHWR steam generator is a major milestone towards ‘Make in India’ vision. Success was achieved through relentless dedicated joint efforts by L&T & NPCIL engineers.”
 
The 3D multi-phase thermal hydraulic analysis and safety analysis including accidental conditions were designed in-house by L&T. The nickel-iron-chromium alloy U-Tubes were manufactured as a joint effort with Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), Hyderabad. The scope of work included indigenous development of critical internals including stainless steel grid support flats, mist extractors and special adhesives & fasteners.
 
L&T Special Steel and Heavy Forgings (LTSSHF), a 65000 sq. meter integrated facility at Hazira, meets the heavy forging requirements of critical sectors. It will supply forgings for future nuclear power plant projects. LTSSHF is a joint venture between L&T and NPCIL.