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Coolan' f Iiannel with sealingplug of Madras Atomic Power

Station Unit-1

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

DEPARTMENTOF

ATOMICENERGY

ANNUALREPORT

1983-84

Atomic Energy Commission

Chairman(ex-officio)

Member for Financeand ex-officioSecretaryin the Deptt. of AtomicEnergy in financial matters.

Member

Dr. R. Ramanna

Shri P. K. Kaul

Dr. P. C. Alexander

Member

Member

Prof. S. Dhawan

Secretary,Department of Atomic Energy

Finance Secretary inthe Ministry of Finance,Department of EconomicAffairs.

Principal Secretaryto the Prime Minister,

Chairman, SpaceCommission and Secretary,Department of Space.

Shri C. R. Krishnaswamy Cabinet Secretary.Rao Sahib

Member Shri J. R. D. Tata Chairmen, Tata Sons Ltd.

Contents

it*'

Publicity, AlWn'm Energy",International Relations, Use of

R & D atBARC

General SurveyIndia's programme for theutilisation of atomic energy for itseconomic development made rapidstrides during 1983-84. The powerreactor (unit-1) at Kalpakkamdesigned, engineered and builtentirely by Indian scientists andengineers, attained criticality on July 2,1983 and was synchronised to the gridby the Prime Minister on July 23, 1983.India is thus one of the few countriesin the World capable of designing,building, fuelling and operating powerreactors entirely on its own. Thepower reactor (unit li) at Rawatbhataachieved record performance with anODeratina factor of 85.33 per centduring the year. In the latter half of theyear the heavy water plants atBaroda and Tutlcorin have beenproducing their targetted quantities.

Research and developmentactivities at the Shabha AtomicResearch Centre (BARC) movedforward contributing to the buildingup of the nuclear power programme ofthe country with significant spin-offsin the fields of space, defence,industry, agriculture and medicine.

Founded in 1957 as the AtomicEnergy Establishment at Trombay,BARC's activities cover_dwerse fieldssuch as physics.chemistry,engineering, metallurgy, reprocessing,fuel fabrication, waste management,

Reactor

radioisotopes, electronics,instrumentation, lasars. biology,agriculture, food technology,radiation medicine etc.

In tho field of research reactors,expertise from design to operationstago has been fully developed. Thecountry's 1 MW awimming poolreactor APSARA built in 1956,continues to be used for isotopeproduction and physics experiments.

The 40 MW CIRUS reactor,operating since 1960, has providedvaluable production, experimentationand training 'acuities. Commissioned in1961, ZERLINA — the zero energyreactor, was decommissioned in 1983after rendering useful service instudying new reactor concepts andcomponents.

The zero energy fast reactor assemblyPURNIMA was built in 1972 and ispresently under modification tooperate using uranium (233) fuel(PURNIMA II). It is expected tobecome operational in 1984. In

addition another mini-pool reactor,also containing uranium (233) asfuel, is under construction atKalpakkam, for neutron radiographyexperiments.

A new high flux indigenous reactorat Vrombay, called DHRUVA will becommissioned in 1984. DHRUVA is anelural uranium heavy watermoderated reactor of 100 MWdermal power and incorporatestjsveral new features including a newfuel concept.

Nuclear Since the inception ot atomic energyFIMI programme, R 4 D efforts haveresearch been directed towards achievingDevelop- self-reliance in meeting the fuel needsnwiil . of the reactors. The Uranium Metal

Plant at Trombay, which producedits first ingot of fuel in January 1959,was partially recommissionedduring the year.

Fuel elements and subassemblies forCIRUS reactor and metallic uraniumfuel clusters and other components forDHRUVA reactor were fabricated.Design and fabrication work for thenew plutonium rich carbide fuel wasundertaken at BARC. Developmentworn on .uranium (233) based fuelfabrication as well as R & D work inthorium utilisation was carried out.

FuelRepro-cMstng

The 30 tonne per year PlutoniumPlant built at Trombay in 1964, wasrecommissioned after some additionsand capacity augmentation. The100 tonnes per year Power Reactor'Fuel Reprocessing Plant built atTarapur in 1979 began reprocessingspent fuel from the Rajasthan Station.Work on the construction of a thirdreprocessing plant located atKalpakkam commenced.

Wast* The waste management facilities atManage- Trombay, Kaipakkam, Tarapur andment Rajasthan operated well during the

year. Work on waste immobilisationproject and solid storage surveillancefacility at Tarapur was In progress.

The Reactor Research Centre wasestablished in 1971 at Kalpakkam,Tamil Nadu, to carry out developmentof sophisticated breeder technology.The Fast Breeder Test Reactor isexpected to be commissionedtowards the end of 1984. This is a40 MW thermal sodium cooledreactor: It will generate about15 MW of electrical power, usingmixed carbide fuel developed andmanufactured at Trombay.Laboratories have been commissionedfor handling active materials,

reprocessing and separation ofPlutonium, sodium, materialsdevelopment, reactor engineering,electronics and instrumentation, andsafety research.

Work on the design of 500 MWePrototype Fast Breeder Reactorcommenced and preliminary reportsprepared.

Centra Work on setting up the Centre forfor Ad- Advanced Technology at Indorevancwl commenced on February 19, 1984 withTechno- the unveiling of a plaque by thelogy President.

The Centre will work on a variety ofadvanced and frontier technologieswhich have been engaging theattention of BARC, such asaccelerators, lasers and fusion. TheCentre will evolve designs for large highenergy accelerators, laser systems forfusion investigations and advancedMHO systems etc.

Techno- B A R C continued transferringlogy technologies for commercialTransfer production. During the year these

included low carbon ferroalloys,osmotic dehydration of fruits,microprocessor based PABX/PAX,automatic fraction collectors andsurface area measuring apparatus.

Product During the year, BARC exported 130Export, consignments of radio labelled

phosphates to Indonesia, Syria,Zambia and Tanzania. Radioisotopesand allied products were supplied alsoto the users abroad. 3 gamma chamberunits were exported to Burma,Singapore and Sudan.

A neutron spectrometer was designedand fabricated for installation' at theRutherford Appleton Laboratory, UKwhile a neutron polarisationanalysis spectrometer developed atBARC was installed at the KoreanAtomic Energy Research Institute.

VariableEnergyCyclotronCentre(VECC)

Magnetohydro-dynamics(MHD)Project

Radio-isotope*and Appli-cations

RadioPharma-ceuticals

ISOMEDPlant

RadiationMedicine

VEC, set up at Calcutta by BARC, isemerging as 2 national researchfacility with the major users beingscientists from universities throughoutthe country. An additional beamtransport channel and radiofrequencysystem were commissioned this year.

BARC, in collaboration with BHEL, hasbeen engaged on the development ofan experimental 5 MW MHD plantat Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, theconstruction work of which was largelycompleted. The plant is expected to bein operation in 1984.

BARC has been producing a variety ofradioisotopes for use in medicine,industry, agriculture and research.

The value of radioisotopes and relatedservices rendered during the yeartotalled Rs.1.90 crores with over46,000 consignments of radioisotopesand products being supplied withinthe country and abroad.

Radiopharmaceutical products fromBARC are being used in over 120medical institutions in the country. Itis estimated that 4 lakh patients in thecountry were benefited from these.products.

The ISOMED Plant commissioned in1974 continued to offer irradiationservices to the pharmaceuticalindustry and the hospitals.

The Radiation Medicine Centre atBombay offers various radioisotopicinvestigations including imaging ofbody organs. During the year, 12,000patients attended the Centre andradioimmunoassays were done on 6,000patient samples. R&D efforts andclinical trials for the characteriSGtion ofTB antigen were continued. TheCentre developed radioimmunoassaystor the detection of malarial andfilarial antigen.

Support In addition to the High Altitudeto basic Research Laboratory at Gulmarg*research National Research Laboratory atin nuclear Srinagar and Seismology Station atsciences Gauribidanur, institutions aided by

OAE like the Tata Institute ofFundamental Research and the SanaInstitute of Nuclear Physics, Calcuttaare engaged in research geared toachieve self-reliant base in nuclear

'science and technology. DAE alsosupported research and developmentwork in various disciplines related .toatomic energy in Indian universities andother academic institutions by givingproject-linked financial assistance andfellowships. The Department alsoprovided grants to institutions for the *development of mathematics. Duringthe year Rs. 1.3 crores wereallocated by DAE as grants-in-aid touniversities and institutions.

Training The Training School was started inBARC in August 1957 to developsufficient trained scientific andtechnical manpower. 117 traineesincluding 33 inplant traineesgraduated in August 1983 from the26th Course of the Training School.The School has thus trained over 3850scientists and engineers since itsinception. For the training of operationand maintenance personnel, aa Training Centre is also functioningat RAPS, Kota.

Nuclear As a result or consistent effortsPower towards self-reliance India is todayProgramme one of the few countries in the world,

and the only one among the developingcountries, to attain self-reliance in allaspects of nuclear power generation,starting from prospecting andmining of uranium to fuel reprocessingand waste management as well asPlutonium recycle. As the only viablealternative, in the foreseeable future,to fossil fuei based power, a target of10,000 MW for establishing thenuclear power generation capacityby the year 2000 has been set,constituting about 10 per cent of total

power generation capacity in thecountry at that time. The necessarycapabilities to attain this target havebeen built by the Department with thecooperation of industry. Indigenousdesign of 235 MWe pressurisedheavy water reactors (PHWRs.) has beenstandardised and these, along withindigenous 500 MWe PHWRs alittle later, will provide the backboneof the programme. Necessary inputssuch as uranium and heavy waterwill also be made available within thecountiy.

The nuclear power generationcapacity increased to 109S MWewith Unit I of MAPP beginningcommercial operation on January 27,1984. During 1983-84 the revenueearnings of Government from the saleof electricity from the nuclearpower reactors amounted toRs. 116.90 crores.

TarapurAtomic

Station

RajatthanAtomic

Station

TAPS completed 14 years ofoperation and achieved acumulative capacity factor of over50 per cent. The Station generated1554 million units of power upto theend of 1983, supplying 720 millionunits to Maharashtra and 706 millionunits to Gujarat. The first consignmentof enriched, uranium fromFrance was received in May1983. Concerted efforts are beingmade to indigenously manufactureand procure spare parts for theplant from alternative suppliers.

After generating 5872 million unitsof power since it began commercialoperation, Unit I of RAPS was shutdown in March 1982 due to coolingwater (light water) leakage fromits south end shield. Considerableoriginal work in problem identificationwas carried out to determine thenature and extent of the defectand related solutions

1915819858

20318

1M>84I SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL AUXILIARY & ADMINISTRATIVE

GROWTH OF MANPOWER

and investigations are beingcontinued to solve the problem.

Unit II of RAPS maintained itsreliable performance operating atabout 185 MWe and generating 863million units of power until December1983, thus meeting 18 per cent of thetotal power consumption ofRajasthan State. The Unit alsosupplied steam equivalent to 10 MWepower generation to the HeavyWater Plant, Kota.

Madras U n i t , o f M A P P attained criticalityAtomic o n jU |y 2, 1983 and was synchronisedPower to the grid on July 23..1983. The unitProject has performed very well and began

commercial operation from January27, 1984 steadily generating over200 MWe. Unit II of MAPP is nearingcompletion and is expected to becomeoperational early in 1985.

Narora Reactor and turbine buildings forAtomic U n | t | n a v e b e e n compiete whilePower those for Unit II are nearing completion.Proitct Construction of various facilities and

installation of equipment and pipingis progressing. The units are scheduledto be completed in 1987-88 and1988-89 respectively.

Kakrapur W o r | ( o n t n e 3 i t e infrastructure andAtomic procurement ano* fabrication ofP°w*r critical components is in progress.Project The two units are expected to be

commissioned in 1991 and 1992respectively.

H«wy Considerable progress was madeWater during the year towards attainingProgramme, self-sufficiency fn heavy water

which Is the moderator and coolantfor the Pressurised Heavy WaterReactors (PHWRs.) The heavy water .plants at Baroda and Tuticorin havebeen operating continuously for thelast five months. Most of the earlierteething problems encountered inthe heavy water programme havebeen overcome. The heavy waterplant at Kota is expected to

HwwyWaterUpgrading

NuctoarFuelComplex

complete its commissioning trials bythe end of October 1984. Work onnew heavy water plants at

-Thal-Varshet of 110 tonnes per yeareffective capacity, based onmonothermal ammonia-hydrogenexchange process and at Manuguru of185 tonnes per year effective capacitybased on hydrogen-sulphide waterexchange process, proceededaccording to schedule. Thecommissioning activities of theHeavy Water Plant at Talcher werehowever delayed mainly due topower cuts, erratic supplies ofammonia gas from fertilizer plantsand some technical problems.

Attempts are being made to makeammonia, based plants independent ofthe fertilizer plants. A pilot plant setup at Baroda will be trying a newprocess in this regard. Testing andcommissioning trials of this plantare nearing completion.

Heavy water upgrading plants havebeen designed and engineered byBARC. The first heavy waterand vacuum distillation plant was

(commissioned satisfactorily at RAPSin September 1982 and from the veryfirst month it exceeded design capacity.The electrolysis basedheavy water upgrading plant-has been operating satisfactorily atMAPP since March 1981. Work onthe design and setting up of newupgrading plants is progressing.

The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) atHyderabad continued to manufacture,fuel and zircaloy structural materialsfor nuclear power reactors.The value of production achieved forthe Fuels and Tubes Groups of NFCtill Decemer 1983 was combinedly ofthe order of Rs. 18.62 crores,NFC expansion phase I, aimed atdoubling the out put, has also beentaken up.

8

Atomic The Atomic Minerals Division (AMD)Mineral* continued its integrated surveys andDivision exploration for appraisal and

building up of uranium and othernuclear raw material resources.During the year the input inexploratory drilling was considerablyaugmented and fresh radioactivityanomalies were identified inparts of Karnataka, MadhyaPradesh, Meghalaya, HimachalPradesh, Uttar Pradesh,•Rajasthan as well as additionaluranium reserves in the SinghbhumThrust Belt of Bihar. As a result,total indicated and inferred reservesof about 73,000 tonnes of U.,06 havebeen established in different partsof the country.

Indian Registered in 1950, with anRare authorised capital of Rs. 1 crore,Earth* Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE)Limited has been operating a plant at

Alwaye, Kerala to process monazitefrom beach sands, two minor sandseparator plants at Manavalakuruchi, :in Tamil Nadu and Chavara, inKerala and a Thorium Plant atTrombay. IRE is also setting up atChhatrapur, Orissa, the Sands Complex(OSCOM). The Company is a majorexporter of rare earths and minerals.

During the year 1982-83, IRE's salesturnover was Rs. 16.47 crores,registering an increase of 21.5per cent. IRE made a net profit ofRs. 1.39 crores and earned foreignexchange worth Rs. 9.48 crores, anincrease of 34 per cent over theprevious year. The Company has beenpaying dividends to the Governmentfor the last two decades.

Uranium Registered in 1967, with anCorpora- authorised capital of Rs. 15 crores,lion of the Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.,India Ltd. undertakes mining and milling of

uranium ores on magnetite andcopper concentrates as by-products.UCIL also produces sulphuric acidmostly for its own consumption.

Under UCIL expansion programme,the plant at Rakha for uranium recoveryfrom copper tailings was commissionedin February 1983. Project report forsetting up another uranium recoveryplant at Mosabani has been finalised.The new Bhatin mines project isexpected to be completed in aboutthree years. Project reports forNarwaphahar and Turumdhihprojects are under preparation.During 1983-84, the production ofuranium concentrate was highestsince the commencement of operationsin 1968. The overall capacityutilisation in terms of production ofuranium concentrate was 97.7 percentand the quantum of ore mined andand processed was higher than theprevious year.

UCIL earned profit during 1982-83and contributed to the exchequerRs. 57.47 lakhs by way of taxesand duties etc.

Electronic* The Electronics Corporation ofCorpora- India Ltd. (ECIL) was incorporated inWon of 1967 with an authorised capital ofIndia Ltd. Rs. 10 crores to take up commercial

production of nuclear electronicinstruments, components andequipment developed by BARC andTIFR. Later the Corporation diversifiedits production and established itself invarious field such ascommunication instrumentaton,nuclear and consumer electronics.

ECIL maintained steady progressduring 1983-84 in major thrust areas.The production of the most powerfulIndian built computer system-332 hasbeen stabilized.

During the year 1982-83 EClL'sproduction was Rs. 60.47 crores anda net profit of Rs. ai3 croreswas earned.

Nuclear During 1983-84 the Department'sSafaty plants continued their good safety

record. The safety status of theplants remained under continuous

NUCLEAR POWER 76.7PROGRAMMEB i ATOMIC MINERALS

DIVISION & UCIL• I NUCLEAR FUEL

COMPLEX• HEAVY WATER PLANTS• NUCLEAR POWER

PROJECTS• FUEL REPROCESSING• WASTE MANAGEMENT

RESEARCH AND 19.8 OTHERSDEVELOPMENTH BHABHA ATOMIC

RESEARCH CENTRES | REACTOR RESEARCH

CENTRE• VARIABLE ENERGY

CYCLOTRONH AID TO OTHER^ INSTITUTIONS

SUPPORT SERVICES &ADMINISTRATIONINDUSTRY & EXTENSIONPROGRAMME

ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES 1983/84 <,»

Inter-nationalRelation*

plants remained under continuousreview by the Safety ReviewCommittee. An Atomic EnergyRegulatory Board was establishedduring the year to carry out certainregulatory and safety functionsenvisaged in the Atomic Energy Act.

India was once again designated tothe !AEA Board of Governors as

one of the globally most advancedstates in the technology of atomicenergy including the production ofsource materials. India continued tocooperate with other countries,particularly developing countries, inpeaceful uses of atomic energy.

Subsequent chapters of this Reportdetail the activities and performanceof the Department during 1983-84under Nuclear Power, R & D, PSUsand Other Activities.

10

Nuclear Power

MAPS Unit-I commissioned and declared commercial; RAPS Unit-llperformed verywell; Baroda and Tuticorin heavy water plants in continuous operation; Heavy WaterPlant, Kota reaching operational stage; fuel requirement for FBTR initial criticalitycompleted; A fast rock and mineral powder pelletising technique developed.

Power Projects EngineeringDivision

Tarapur Atomic Power Station

TAPS has completed 28 reactoryears of commercial operation.The station generated 1554 mil-lion units upto December 1983,exporting 720 million units toMaharashtra and 706 million unitsto Gujarat. The capacity factorduring this period was 50.06 percent where as cumulative capacityfactor since commencement ofcommercial operation has been50.04 per cent,

Both the units of TAPS have beenoperating around 160 MWe.

The generation during the year isexpected to be marginally lowerthan the target due to equipmentproblems, rescheduling and re-fuelling outages of both units.Unit I established a new recordfor continuous reactor operationof 156 days in 1983.

Consequent upon the signing of

an agreement with France inNovember, 1982 for the supply ofenriched uranium fuel to TAPS,the first consignment of 19.5 ton-nes was received in May 1983.Efforts are continuing to procurespare parts for the station fromalternative Indian and overseassources.

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station

RAPS Unit II performance duringthe year was very good. The unitoperated at a power level of about185 MWe. It also supplied pro-cess steam equivalent to 10 MWegeneration for commissioning ofthe Heavy Water Plant at Kota.

The unit generated 863 millionunits with a capacity factor of59.4 per cent during the year uptoDecember 1983.

Unit I of RAPS had generated 5872million units of electricity since itscommercial operation till 4thMarch, 1982 when it was shutdown following detection of lightwater leakage from one of its end

shields. Repair work on the endshield continues. The leak beingin a highly radioactive area, com-plex and remote tooling had to beestablished including mock upsfor training of personnel. So farthe lattice tube of the, end shieldin the suspect location has beencut and removed and ultrasonictests of the bore have been car-ried out. Investigations continueto determine the nature and ex-tent of the defect and the repairprocedures that would be required.Various technical measures re-commended by the Technical As-sessment Committee set up inMarch 1982, for improvement inthe performance of the station areunder implementation.

Madras Atomic Power Project

Unit 1 of MAPP attained criticalityon July 2, 1983 and was synchro-nised to the grid by the Prime Mi-nister on July 23, 1983. The unitbegan generating 200 MWe withinonly five months and had genera-ted 211 million units upto Decem-ber 1983. It has gone into com-

11

mercial operation with effect fromJanuary 27, 1984.

The second unit of MAPP is in thefinal stages of construction. Allmajor equipment has been instal-led and commissioning of varioussystems is on hand. This unit isexpected to be commissionedduring 1984-85.

Narora Atomic Power Project

Reactor and turbine buildingsfor the Unit I were completedwhile for Unit II these, buildingsare nearing completion. Pipingwork is in progress. About 40 percent of piping work of Unit I and18 per cent of Unit II has beehcompleted.

Three reactor headers were deli-vered to the site of which twohave been erected. Both endshields for NAPP Unit I weredelivered and erection is in pro-gress. Calandria for Unit I isnearly completed and is expectedto be shifted to the site verysoon.

Induced draught cooling towers,primary heat transport purificationbuilding, waste management plant,upgrading plant for heavy waterand other miscellaneous structuresare under construction. Switch-yard has been completed and mostof the electrical equipment havebeen Installed at site. The twounits are scheduled to be comp-leted in 1987-88 and 1988-89respectively.

Narora Atomic Powar Plant

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project

Tenders for tne main plant civilworks and manufacture of structu-ral steel members for the buildingswere finalised and work ordersissued. About 52 per cent of theprivate land required for the po-wer station has been acquired.Excavation work for reactor andturbine building has started.Facilities such as access roads,telephone and wireless communi-cation, construction power andwater supply, temporary offices,warehouses, etc. have been estab-lished. Work on the internal roadsin the power station area is in pro-gress. Construction of houses inthe township has commenced and

sufficient number of houses wouldbe ready for occupation by theyear end.

Procurement of long delivery itemshas been initiated. Contracts formanufacture of end shield, calan-dria and PHT pumps have beenawarded. Procurement action formajor equipment has also beeninitiated.

Heavy Water Projects

Nangal

The Heavy Water Plant at Nangalis based on electrolysis for pre-enrichment and low temperaturehydrogen distillation for final en-

12

richment. Due to a reduction inthe availability of power and thepower restriction necessitating ashut down from September 1982to July 1983, this plant suffered aproduction loss during the year.

Baroda

The Baroda Plant has been in con-tinuous operation since November1983 after modification to the ex-tent possible, improving its perfor-mance. The time taken for effec-ting these modifications as wellas rectification in respect of theproblems of leakages developedwere longer than anticipated andthe down time of the plant wasextended. curther due to pro-blems in the ammonit plant, therewas also a limitation in the availa-bility of the synthesis gas beingsupplied to the Heavy Water Plant.The frequent stoppages and rest-arts due to these causes affectedthe equipment adversely. Theseproblems have been successfullysolved.

The erection work on the pilotplant for water-ammonia exchangefor transfer of deuterium fromwater to ammonia being set upnear the Baroda Heavy WaterPlant was completed and thetesting and commissioning activi-ties are nearing completion.

Tuticorin

The Heavy Water Plant at Tuticorinhas been in continuous operationsince November 1983. The exten-ded power cut imposed by theTamil Nadu Electricity Board du-ring a substantial part of the year

Heavy Water Plant, Baroda

affected the operation of the plantadversely. Several modificationsrequired to overcome productionconstraints were completed whilesome more are likely to becompleted in a phased mannerbefore the end of 1985. After along period of shut down, restartof the plant was affected by tech-nical problems — a common fea-ture for chemical plants of thistype similar to fertilizer plants. Thesetting up of a finishing sectionbased on vacuum distillation isproceeding on schedule and willbe completed by June 19B4.

Talcher

Due to power cut imposed on theFertilizer Corporation of India andconsequent non-availability ofsynthesis gas and utilities for longdurations, the commissioning acti-vity of the Heavy Water Plant atTalcher was severely affected.Some deficiencies have been iden-tified in the plant during limitedtrials. Modifications to overcomethem have been planned and arebeing incorporated in a phasedmanner. If the modifications proveeffective, the internal constraints

13

of the plant would be removed andsubject to availability of an unin-terrupted and adequate supply ofother utilities from the fertilizerplant, it would be possible to com-mission the plant before the yearend.

Kota

The Heavy Water Plant at Kota hadearlier demonstrated the capabili-ty to attain enrichment effect. Theplant was further tested duringthe year operating equipment andmachinery handling tonnage quan-ties of hydrogen sulphide gas forthe first time in the country. Sincethe plant has demonstrated asatisfactory performance, it isnow proposed to bring under ope-ration the other units ol the piantalso in a phased manner. It isexpected that the entire plantwould be operational by the endof the year. Problems encounteredduring trials with regard to certainequipment and machinery "wererectified while work is in progresswith regard to some others. Theplant operation, so far, was res-tricted to an enrichment upto 60per cent in the final enrichmentsection. From the present assess-ment, it is clear that achieving thedesign concentration is feasible.Further enrichment will be attemp-ted after building, up the systemsinventory.

Thal-Vattlttt

The work on the 110 tonnes peryear plant At Thal-Vaishsi, Maha-rashtra, being set up through theRashtriya Chemicals and Fertili-zers, has made considerable pro-

gress. Orders have been placedfor most equipment. The fabrica-tion of items of machinery andequipment at various shops andsite activities are progressing sat-isfactorily. The plant is expectedto be commissioned by 1987.

Manuguru

The detailed engineering of botrthe main plant and tne captivepower plant of the 185 tonneHeavy Water Plant being set up atManuguru, Arcdhra Pradesh, hasreached an advanced stage. Or-ders for a number of critical andlong delivery items like the towersand their internals have beenplaced and manufacture of to-wers and some equipment has al-ready commenced. Orders forthe fabrication and supply of manymore items including packageunits will be placed very soon.Site grading, tower foundationsand construction of houses havealso made significant progress.The plant is expected to be com-missioned by 1988.

Additional Project

It is proposed to set up an addi-tional Heavy Water Plant of 110tonne effective capacity based onammonia-hydrogen exchange pro-cess. The feasibility report in thisregard was completed and a de-tailed project report was prepared.

Nuclear Fuel Complex

The Nuclear Fuel complex (NFC),

Hyderabad manufactures fuels andzincalloy structural materials forPHWRs type power reactors.

Fuels Group

By December 1983 about 47.4tonnes of natural uranium fuel wasmade. This completed fabricationfor the initial load upto MAPP-II aswell as reload requirement ofRAPP-I, RAPP-II and MAPP-I forthe year. Production of 22-elementbundles for Narora-I will be takenup shortly. Automation of powderfeeding and lubrication off compac-ting presses and additional processcontrol measurements in assemblyarea are among the improvementstaken up during the year. The firstconsignment of 19 tonnes of hexa-fluoride from France was receivedin May 1983 and till December1983, 13.5 tonnes of (UO2) powderwas produced and 19 fuel assem-blies containing 3.04 tonnes ofUO* were made. The Uranium Ox-ide Plant, also made U3O6 forBARC. In the FBTR facility 88 steelsub-assemblies were completed.Thus the requirement of first corefor FBTR at Kalpakkam for initialcriticality and for flux mappingwere completed with the processand fixtures developed with fullyindigenous know-how. The FBTRfacility is also producing this yearabout 1.5 tonnes of thoria pelletsfor research and development ex-periments. At the Zircalogy Fabri-cation Plant complete requirementof flow and guide tubes for MAPP-II have been made. In addition cal-andria tubes and 200 coolant tubeswere produced for MAPP-i.

1 tonne each of Zr-4 rods, sheets

14

and fuel tubes were being suppliedto the Federal Republic of Ger-many during the year. At theSpecial Materials Plant, 7000 kgs.of pure magnesium granules wereproduced by the end of 1983 forthe internal requirement of theDAE. The plant continued to pro-duce ultra pure materials likepotassium tantalum fluoride, sele-nium, indium, zirconium powder,gold potassium cyanide etc. forelectronic and other industries.The value of production in theFuels Group until December 1983was Rs. 9.92 crores.

Expansion Programme

NFC Expansion Phase I meant todouble the output of natural ura-nium fuel for the power reactorswas taken up in two parts. Thefirst part consisting of expansion

of the Uranium Oxide and CeramicFuel Plants and partly ZircaloyFabrication plant, which had beenalmost completed by Dec. 1983.Production trials are in progress.In the second part, expansion ofZirconium Oxide Plant, ZirconiumSponge Plant and common facili-ties will be taken up. Consultantshave been appointed and finalisa-tion of equipment layout is- in pro-

Dwwtopnwnt of component* for FBTN•MarnMlM.

gress. Civil works are likely tostart in the last quarter of 1984.With this, sponge production ca-pacity will be doubled.

Process Development

With the aim of economising cau-stic soda consumption and tocontain pollution caused by thedifficult handling of products inthe conventional equipment, a con-

, tinuous fluidised bed causticfusion unit, completely enclosed,has been developed on a pilotscale. Detailed design for plantscale equipment is under prepara-tion. A hot co-extrusion techniquewas developed to extrude 38 mmdia. solid stainless rods with mildsteel as the core material. Equip-ment for acid dissolution was de-signed and commissioned to dis-solve 8 mm mild steel core at anaccelerated rate.

This import substitution will resultin a substantial foreign exchangesaving.

Tubes Group

in the Tubes Group, production ofseamless stainless steel tubes andseamless ball bearing tubes con-tinues to meet existing orders.

Wira wrap and apMt afMotr fuel bum***

Cupro-nickel extrusion and extru-sion of OHFC copper rods were.carried out towards defence re-quirement. Also, 302 tonnes ofstainless steel tubes and 1125 ton-nes of ball bearing tubes wereproduced upto December 1983.At the Tool Room of Tube Plants,a furnace for heat treatment ofliner tubes required for KAPP-I andII nas oeen designed and fabrica-ted at NFC. Using this furnaceliner tubes are being successfullyheat treated. Production of pureand coin silver tubes was success-fully attempted. This has resultedin substantial saving offoreign ex-change. It also increases indige-nous capability for production ofhigh speciality seamless tubes.The value of production achievedin Tubes Group by the end of 1983was of the order of Rs. 8.7 crores.

Environmental Upkeep

During the year no effluent was letout to the environment. Existingsolar evaporation ponds were lin-ed with special high density poly-thane lining to ensure zero leakage.

Atomic Minerals Division

The Atomic Minerals Division con-tinued-its integrated survey andexploration for appraisal and buil-ding up of uranium and. othernuclear raw material resources tosupport the country's neciear powerprogramme.

Survey and Exploration

During the year an area of 46,760sq. km. was covered by airoorne

15

gamma-ray spectrometric andmagnetic surveys in Uttar Pradesh,Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra andAndhra Pradesh utilising indige-nously fabricated instruments.Airborne survey was supplemen-ted by a wide variety of remotesensing applications and techni-ques comprising study of aeria!photographs (9,480 sq. km.), Land-sat Imageries (48,360 sq, km.),multispectra! scanning and studyof infra-red photographs and com-puter processing of the landsatdata (480 sq. km.).

An area of 12,250 sq. km. wascovered by reconnaitory-radiomet-ric foot survey and more than2,700 route km. were covered byjeep-borne scintillometer survey.Besides, an area of 723 sq. km.was covered by detailed geologi-cal mapping, contouring, radonemanometry and solid state nu-clear track detection surveys invarious parts of the country.Hydrogeochemical survey by col-lecting well and stream water sam-ples were completed in about 8,000sq. km. from different areas like Expi^.t^y drilling for uranium

Shivalikt.Ore, grading by scintillation arc at Jajawal mines (M.P.)

Anantnag and Srinagar districts ofJammu and Kashmir, Tehri, Saha-ranpur, Nainital and Almora dis-tricts of Uttar Pradesh, Jodhpur,Alwar and Udaipur districts ofRajasthan and in the Kameng dis-trict of Arunachal Pradesh andEast Sikkim district. Geophysicalinvestigations like electro-magne-tic, magnetic, gravity and SP sur-veys were also carriued out in partsof Rajasthan and Karnataka todecipher the favourable structi/resand locate uranium bearing mine-ralisation.

As a result of these efforts newuranium anomalies were locatedat Jamiri (Arunachal Pradesh),Philongdiloin (Meghalaya), Danaur,Agar and; Jawaladevi (Uttar Pra-desh), near Lipti (Madhya Pra-desh), Dholan (Rajasthan) andnear Idugundi, Molesol and Bir-gadde in Karnataka. These ano-malies are being investigated.

Exploratory Drilling

A little over 49,000 metres ofdrilling was carried out at about

Gamma ray logging ol a borehole.

16

17 different prospects in variousparts of the country thereby reac-hing a new peak performance inthe achievement of exploratorydrilling.

A number of target locations weredrilled for exploration of uraniumin the igneous and metamorphicterrains in the country. As a resultof these efforts, total indicatedand inferred reserves of about73,000 tonnes of uranium oxide(U3O8) have been established indifferent parts of the country. Be-sides, new potential areas and ex-tension of known belts where freshreserves could be identified infuture have also been delineated.

Exploratory UndergroundDevelopment

A total of 575 m of the exploratoryunderground development werecomploted during the year atBodal in Rajnandgaon districtand at Jajawal in Sarguja districtof Madhya Pradesh as well as atAstotha in Hamirpur district ofHimachal Pradesh. This helpedin better understanding of thenature of ore bodies and increa-sing the confidence level of thedata deciphered from the sub-surface drilling.

The underground developmentmine for uranium at Bodal (M. P.)won the first prize given by theDirector General of Mine Safety,Western Region for the best metal-liferous mine in dust suppression.

Niobium-Tantalum andBeryllium Investigations

An area of 1,054 sq. km. in partsof Kamataka, Bihar, Madhya Pra-desh, Andhra Pradesh and Orissawas surveyed for location of freshreserves of these minerals, inci-dental to prospecting and assess-ment, a few tonnes of niobium-tantalum concentrates were re-covered during the year fromBihar, Karnataka and MadhyaPradesh.

Thorium and Beach SandInvestigations

On a request from Indian RareEarths Ltd. to ascertain the reser-ves of monazite, ilmenite andother heavy minerals, 96.6 hecta-res of area down to a depth of7.5 m were investigated in theeastern extension of Block-ll ofIRE in Panmana-Pandarathuruthuarea, Chavara Coast, Quilon dis-trict, Kerala, Augerhole drillingaggregating 4,284 m in a total of717 holes were completed whichgenerated nearly 2,780 samples.Estimation of individual heavyminerals in each of the compositesamples, blockwise and depth-wise were carried out and finalreport has been submitted to IRE.Evaluation of heavy mineral poten-tial down to a depth of 8 m along1 km stretch of coast betweenMarkandi-Sana-Ekasingi, Ganjamdistrict, Orissa were also comple-ted during the year.

Investigations in theLaboratories

In the Physics Laboratories, 20,461

samples were assayed radiometri-cally for oxides of uranium andthorium contents and berylliumcontent by photoneutron method,in addition to monazite equiva-lent assays. A total of 56,530 min bore holes, shot-holes/probeholes were gamma-ray logged and9,517 m of bore hole cores wereradiometrically assayed. Shield-ed probe logging of trenches, pitsand mine faces aggregated 4,774m. Bulk ore grading of 12,730tubs was also carried out. ThePhysics Group carried outfabrication and modifications ofinstruments and analysis of databy computer. One computer sys-tem-TDC332 (ECIL) was installednot only for processing of air-borne magnetic and radiometricdata but also for other scientificactivities. A low energy gamma-ray spectrometer using high puritygermanium planer detector alongwith a multi-channel analyser wasset up and is being used for dise-quilibrium studies. Currently usedair-borne gamma-ray spectrome-ter was also modified by incor-porating pressure and tempera-ture sub-systems.

Chemistry laboratories carried out52,860 determinations for differentelements. Two mobile geochemi-cal vans were deployed in areasof Rajasthan and Madhya Pradeshto give a quick feed-back of analy-tical data for geochemical sur-veys.

The mineral technology laborato-ries carried out work in providingassistance for recovery of niobiumand tantalum to various field units,

17

mineral seggregation and benefi-ciation tests on the ore fromBodal, hydrometallurgical investi-gations for uranium recovery fromuraniferous field samples, bacte-riological studies for uranium reco-very and pollution control studieson industrial effluents, and adsorp-tion studies of uranium on claysand hydroxy-ferric oxides.

AMD scientists have achieved asignificant breakthrough in theirexperimentation for pollution con-trol of effluents of hydrogen sui-phide based heavy water plantsby bacterial treatment at Kota.The initial sulphide content of theeffluents ranging from 13 to 60ppm in the feed were broughtdown to limits below detectionwithin four hours of treatment.Further experiments are underway to refine the process and ar-rive at the optimum technical re-

quirements

X-ray fluorescence laboratory de-veloped a simple and fast rockand mineral powder-pelletingtechnique, in addition to the deve-lopment of analytical techniquesfor estimating trace elements inmagnetite using a rhodium X-rayiube. High concentrations of yttriumand other rare earths were identi-fied in mineral concentrates ofAheri pegmatites, Chandrapur dis-trict, Maharashtra and significantamount of rubidium and caesiumin the tailings from columbitetan-talite recovery plants of Marlagal-la, Mandya district, Karnataka.

Collaborations with other

organisations

The Division continued to collabo-rate in scientific investigations'with sister organisation, Central

and State government depart-ments, public sector undertakings,universities etc. Under this pro-gramme, bore holes drilled at dif-ferent places were gamma-raylogged. Technical assistance byextending the analytical facilities,was given and training impartedto trainees and research scholarsof a number of organisations.

AMD is also collaborating withthe Technology Transfer Group ofBARC, in the setting up of plantsfor beneficiation of casslterate con-centrate In Bastar district of Mad-hya Pradesh, to be subsequentlyutilised by the State Government.

AMD has also rendered assistancein geological and seismotectonicevaluation of various reactor sitesjn Southern and Northern regions.

18

Research andDevelopment

Bhabha Atomic Research

Cantre

DHRUVA

The 100 MW thermal researchreactor being built under R-5 pro-ject at Trombay, was named"DHRUVA" by the President Gia-ni Zail Singh on September 29,1983. Construction of the reactoris almost completed. Progressivetesting and commissioning of theheavy water, process water andsea water coolant systems are inprogress. Nearly three-fourth ofthe initial fuel charge is ready.

The reactor is expected to becommissioned during 1984.

Nuclear Physics

In the course of neutron diffrac-tion study of isostructural nitridesa new polariser was discover-ed. Laser Raman scattering stu-dies on semi-metals were alsoinitiated. A new model for orien-tational relaxation in molecular

DHRUVA reactor and FBTR naaring commissioning, mixed carbide fuel fabrica-tion started; Beryllium Metal Plant and Aluminising Plant commissioned; special-ferroalloys production technology transferred for production; m dyelaser with tun-ing facility set up; superconducting wire fabricated and metallic, glasses produced;an auger microprobe and a laser beam welding machine commissioned; A coppervapour laser, a versatile electron beam welding machine, artificial kidney anddiagnostic assays for malaria and filar/a developed; jute mutant re/eased and label-led phosphates exported; a master plan for the Centre for Advanced Technologyunderway; five more heavy water upgrading plants to be set up; the MHD plantto be operational soon; better beams from VEC produced, Superconducting Linacdeveloped at TIFR; a packet broadcasting network set up; new binary and pulsarsdiscovored; coenzyme coated graphite electrodes developed. Country's firstsuccessful bone marrow transplantation performed at TMC; cancer diagnosis facilityextended to rural areas; ahybridoma laboratory established; promising studies onanti-leprosy vaccine.

liquids was developed and usedto explain Raman scattering dataon polar liquid methyl iodide. Aversatile computer code to studypolymers and polymer solutionshas been developed. A new me-thod was used to measuresimultaneously the mass, chargeand kinetic energy of fission frag-ments in thermal neutron inducedfission of uranium (235). Thevariance of fragments mass andcharge distribution and their de-pendence on the fragment kineticenergy were measured providingspecific information on the nu-cleon exchange mechanism in thefission process.

The medium energy heavy ion ac-celerator (MEHIA) project pro-gressed according to schedule.The 5.5 MeV Van-de-Graaff acce-lerator was recotr.missioned andutilized to study several nuclearreactions. Several experimentswith the alpha particle beam fromVEC were carried out.

and Rutherford backscatteringtechniques were pursued for pro-duction of Schotkey films andstudy of diffusion of metals. Iso-tope separator was used forisolation of isotopes, speciallyIron (57) for Mossbauer studies.

Neutron Physics

The uranyl nitrate solution fuel-led, beryllium oxide reflected,homogeneous reactor experi-ment Purnima II with uranium(233) fuel is in advanced stageof construction at Trombay. Thereactor designed to have a verylow critical mass of less than 500gms of uranium (233) is expectedto become operational in 1984.The Purnima II critical experi-ments will be useful in optimisingthe design of the uranium (233)fuelled Neutron Source Reactorbeing set-up at RRC. Effectivenessof beryllium as a neutron multi-plier in fusion reactors was inve-stigated.

Ion implanation, laser annealing Pioneering work has been done

19

in the ferroic crystals research.Four new ferroelastics were dis-covered. A protein crystallogra-phy laboratory was set up. Re-search work on the structures ofthree snake venom proteins hasbeen initiated recently.

Plasma Physics

A 200 Joule pulse power system(REB-200) being used to generateand study gigawatt pulsed relati-vistic electron beams, was deve-loped earlier. Currently develop-ment work is in progress to scaleup the energy to 5000 joules(REB-5000) and beam powers to10 watts. The coaxial plasmagun was studied for its perfor-mance and plasma density andtemperature are being measured.A fast discharging energy storagecapacitor bank has been used topo'wer an 'electric gun'. A largerand more powerful capacitor bank

- facility is being set up to streng-then the research programme onhigh density high temperaturedeuterium plasmas.

Theoretical Physics

The effects of finite laser band-width on the cooperative reso-nance fluorescence and the opti-cal double resonance spectrawere evaluated. A purely quan-tum mechanical model for opticalbistability was developed. A verygeneral Hartree-Fock variationalformalism was developed for manyelectron atoms.

Ananlytical solutions have been' developed for charged particle

transport equation. A multi-groupintegral transport code CLIMAXfor PHWR lattices was completed.A three dimensional finite diffe-rence diffusion theory code wasmodified to include triangularmeshes. Regular fuel managementservice was provided for TAPSand RAPS.

Spectroscopy

The research programme on highresolution spectroscopic studiesof rare earth atoms and ions wascontinued. Analysis of a numberof special materials needed inelectronics, reactor and semicon-ductor technology was carriedout. New optical emission andX-ray fluorescence methods weredeveloped for trace analysis inmaterials. A nitrogen laser pum-ped dyelaser with tuning facilitywas set up.

A trigger circuit was fabricatedand is being tested to excite nitro-gen laser.

Chemistry

Investigations on the removal ofradioactive organic iodides bynormal and silver-exchangedmolecular sieves were completed.From systematic studies on ironstate transitions were evolved. Aphoto-chemical method was deve-loped for the separation of euro-pium from rare earth concentrates.

A variety of high purity and spe-cial materials were prepared andsupplied to the users. Small scalesynthesis of gallium phosphide

from its elements was success-fully demonstrated. A new elec-tronic transition was observed inhigh pressure electrical transportstudies carried out on lanthanum.A number of special oxides withhigh positive coefficient of ther-mal conductivity at high tempara-ture were prepared. Develop-ment work on materials for hy-drogen storage identified certainmaterials which are superior tothose used before. BA-60 M He-modialysers (artificial kidney) andBilirubin strips for diagnosis ofinfectious hepatitis were develop-ed. These are undergoing furtherclinical tests.

Ananlytical Chemistry

Some analytical jobs carried outduring this year are neutron acti-vation analysis of three new inter-national reference standards fromU.S. Goelogical Survey and ato-mic absorption spectroscopic an-alysis of samples. Detailed geo-chemical and petrological studieson the rock sample from 'DakshinGangotri', Antarctica revealed itssimilarity to samples from penin-sular India. A non-destructivetechnique for quick identificationof molybdenum stabilised steelsSS 316 is being patented. A sur-face area analyser was fabricatedand tested. A system for the ex-traction of argon gas from geolo-gical specimens was developed.

Water Chemistry

Work on the Water and SteamChemistry Laboratory, being set

20

up at Kalpakkam made significantprogress. Experimental work wasdone to understand corrosion be-haviour of materials of Interestto nuclear and thermal powerplants. Assistance was renderedin solving problems related towater chemistry to nuclear andthermal power plants.

Research work in the field of co-ordination chemistry of metal ionswas carried out to evaluate thespecific reagents for the determi-nation of-metal ions of interest.Electrochemical studies on seawater applied to desalination werealso carried out.

Radiochemistry

Californium isotopes were iden-tified in a reaction at VECC. Theyield of short lived technitiumisotopes in the thermal neutroninduced fission of uranium andPlutonium was studied. Work onSixth Plan project for engineeringscale experiments for sol-gel pro-ces, is nearing completion. Theinternal gelation route was suc-cessfully adapted for the prepa-<ration of Th O* microspheres onlaboratory scale. A facility wasset up for analysis of impuritiesin helium cover-gas in the FBTRfuel pins. Uranium (233) basedfission chambers were developedfor monitoring of power in FBTR.

Chemical Engineering

Work on the production of certainspecial materials was continued.Assistance was provided to In-

dian Rare Earths in setting up aplant at Alwaye for the recoveryof helium front monazite, basedon a process developed in BARC.The feasibility of recovering he-lium from fertilizer and steeiplants is being studied. Nitricacid containing 40 per cent nitro-gen (15) was produced in the Ni-trox Pilot Plant. From this acidnitrogen (15) labelled compoundswere prepared and supplied tovarious institutions for researchin agriculture. The sulphur hexa-fluroide pilot plant was operatedto optimise the process parame-ters and the product was used inBARC and other organisations fordevelopment work. A proposalfor transfer of technology for industrial scale production is nowunder consideration.

RadioisotopesProduction

The activities in the area of pro-duction of radioisotopes and theirapplications in industry were in-tensified during the year.

150 consignments of superpho-sphate, nitrophosphates, pyropho-sphates, etc. labelled with radio-phosphorous were supplied foragricultural research. These in-cluded 130 consignments to Indo-nesia, Syria, Zambia and Tanza-nia.

Self-luminuous compounds andtritium gas-filled light sourceswere supplied to the defence unitsfor extensive field trials. Someof these sources have been ap-proved for large scale produc-

tion. Activated zinc sulphide lumi-nous compound was preparedand supplied for luminous dialpainting.

34 tritium targets were suppliedto users in the country. Consign-ments of fission product isotopeswere dispensed for reasearch ap-plications. About 300 consign-ments of radiation sources for usein medical applications and nu-cleonic gauging were supplied.Low-level alpha, beta and gammasources for various uses werealso supplied.

Radiopharmacautical productssuch as ready-to-use invivo pro-ducts, radioisotope generators,kits for generator produced radio-pharmaceuticals and radioimmu-noassay kits were supplied. Thesesophisticated diagnostic agentsare being regularly used in over120 institutions. The current yearshowed a 40 per cent increase intheir utilisation over the previousyear. Four lakh patients in thecountry are expected to have be-nefited from these advanced dia-gnostic procedures. Two trainingcourses on radioimmunoassayand its clinical applicationswere conducted. A part of theRadiopharmaceuticals Laborato-ry at Vashi, New Bombay hasbeen commissioned for the pro-duction of radioimmunoassay pro-ducts and quality control of radio-pharmaceuticals. The RegionalCentre for Dispensing and Distri-bution of Radiopharmaceuticalsat Kidwai Memorial Institute ofOncology, Bangalore is to becommissioned soon. Work on theCentre at the Institute of Nuclear

2\

Medicine and Allied Sciences, NewDelhi, is also in progress and isexpected to be commissioned bythe end of 1984.

Carbon(14) and tritium mediumlabelled compounds were sup-pliec for research in bio-sciences.The preliminary work at the label-led compounds laboratory pro-ject site has commenced. R & Dwork for the preparation of phos-.phorus (32) labelled nucleotiaeswas undertaken and a few trialbatches of phosphorus labelledATP were prepared and suppliedfor evaluation. The project reportfor the setting up of a laboratoryfor the production of phosphorus(32) labelled nucleotides is underpreparation.

The sale value of radioisotopesand related services renderedtotalled Rs. 1.90 crores. Over46,000 consignments of radioiso-topes and related products weresupplied to users within the coun-try and abroad.

Applications

Radiotracec investigations werecarried out at the works of cau-stic soda manufacturers for thedetermination of inventory of mer-cury in electrolytic cells withoutshutting down the plant. A seriesof experiments were carried outat the works of a manufacturer ofchemical plant equipment to studythe breakage function of coal andlimestone in ball mills usingsodium (24) radiotracer. In thefield of isotope hydrology, facili-ties for measurement of environ-mental stable isotopes and radio-

isotopes were set up under aUNDP assisted project. Samples'of water were analysed using thisequipment.

Isomed plant continued to offerirradiation services to manufactu-rers of medical products, hospi-tals and the pharmacautical indu-stry. A variety of medical productswere sterilised at the plant. Co-balt-60 loading of the plant wasupgraded to 250 kilocuries. Thefirst IAEA/UNDP regional (RCA)industrial training-cum-demonstra-tion on radiation sterilisation of me-dical products was held at BARCduring September 1983.

A silt density gauge for dredgingoperations at the Mangalore Portwas developed. A radioisotopesmoke alarm system was commis-sioned at National Archives ofIndia, New Delhi. A portable bat-tery operated static charge meterunit was fabricated and suppliedto the Defence Laboratory, Jodh-pur. A gas leak detector unit wassupplied to R.R.C., Kalpakam. Aspecial feature of this unit is anaudio-visual indication in theevent of the leak exceeding theset limit. A pocket size solid-statedosimeter with LCD display wasdesigned, fabricated and tested.The performance of the unit wasalso successfully tested to extendits use to electron beam dosime-try. Seven gamma chamber unitshousing kilocurie cobalt-60 sour-ces were supplied during the yearincluding 3 units exported toBurma, Singapore and Sudan. 66radiography cameras were suppli-ed to va'rious users for non-des-

tructive testing.

Expert advice and specialisedservices were rendred in the fieldof non-destructive testing.

A radiation based process for theproduction of polyacrylamide, animportant industrial polymer, wassuccessfully finalised in collabo-tion with Shriram Institute of Indu-strial Research, New Delhi.

Biology & Agriculture

Research on crop improvement bymutation was continued. Promis-ing cultures of pigeon pea, moongbean, jute, wheat etc. developedat Trombay were evaluated by anumber of national agencies. Ahigh fibre yielding jute variety.'MAHADEV was officially releasedin Orissa. The pigeon pea variety,Trombay Vishakha-1, a moongbean variety TAP-7 were notifiedby the Ministry of Agriculture. Theproduction of seeds of these twowas taken up by the PunjabraoKrishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, Maha-rashtra. Trombay Vishakha-1 wasalso identified by ICAR for the AllIndia Coordinated Programme onPulses. Black gram variety TAU-1and early maturing pigeon peavariety TAT-10 was identified forpre-release trials in the Vidarbharegion of Maharashtra.

The soil chemistry and fertilizerefficiency of the new low-cost ni-trophosphate fertilizer, ENPEX,was evaluated and found to be a

22

• V

highly effective source in the twomajor soil groups of India.Irradiation of red palm weeviladult males with a dose of X-raysinduced about 90 per cent sterilitywithout affecting survival, but agamma radiation dose required toinduce the same level of sterilitycaused excessive mortality. Ex-posure of beetle and potato tuberworm males to blumea erianthaoil vapours caused mating inhibi-tion. Search for uses of hormonemimicking substances in insectpest control was continued. Re-search in cloning genes was con-tinued.

A system for genetic manipulationof nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria(blue-green algae) is under deve-lopment. The finding that nitrateof ammonium drastically inhibitssodium uptake, could help in en-hancing the efficiency of rice-cyanobacteria associations in sa-line environments. Effects for zincand molybdenum on sorghum andmaize seedings were analysed.

Biochemistry and FoodTechnology

The R&D work in food science andtechnology included screening ofenvironmental chemicals fortheir mutagenic and carcinogenicpotentials and metabolic disordersand investigations on basic as-pects like enzymatic and microbialspoilage in perishables. It wasobserved that deficiency of thyroidhormones resulted in severe im-

pairment of developing brains.Irradiation for bulk processingcould keep samples free of bac-terial load upto 8 months.

Bio-organic Research

Studies on purification, characte-risation and evaluation of biologi-cal activity of natural productsisolated from plants were continued.The acute toxicity of Tylophoraalkaloids was evaluated. Threealkaloids were isolated from thecommon fig tree and a new secoalkaloid and a new minor alkaloidwere isolated from tylophora as-thmatics plants. One of the phy-salins antitumour activity in testsystems was isolated in large am-ounts for its detailed evaluationat the National Cancer Institute,USA. Bioassayed extracts fromten plants were found to possessinsect juvenile hormone (JH) ac-tivity and isolation of active prin-ciples is in progress. A new chro-mene was isolated from a plantsource whose anti-JH activity isbeing studied. Extracts of plantswere also tested for insecticidalactivity. Black pepper extractshave been found to be moderatelyactive. Work on development ofbetter varieties plants through tis-sue cultures was intensified. Syn-thesis of metagenic substanceswas carried out and their imrta-genicity is being studied.

Medical Research

It was found that chlorpromazlne

(20 mg/kg body wt.) causessensitisation of an animal tumouron a fractionation schedule of radi-ation exposures. This drug pro-tects animals from radiation-induc-ed lethality, skin erythema and footdeformity, thus encouraging its usein human clinical trials. Othersimilar drugs synergistically re-duced tumour growth. Experimen-tal work was done on using redblood cells as drug carriers. In-vestigations were carried out onthe uptake and removal of throriumin rats.

Research schemes related to ra-diobiology and occupational healthwere carried out. Chromosomeaberration analysis of human popu-lation residing in the normal andhigh background _ radiation areasof Kerala coast was continued.Samples from occupationally ex-

' posed individuals from differentDAE units were chromosomallyanalysed.

Radiation Medicine

More than 12,000 patients attendedthe Radiation Medicine Centre forradioisotopic investigations includ-ing imaging of various body or-gans. Radioimmunoassays weredone for about 6000 patient sam-ples. The Centre acquired a sophisti-cated on-line computer for conduct-ing fast dynamic studies. During theyear ultrasound examination ofthyroid, abdominal and pelvic organswere done as a complementaryprocedure to radionuclide imaging inmore than 1000 patients, therebyenhancing the diagnostic efficacy.

Treatment of thyroid cancer andhyperthyroidism with radioiodinewas carried out. R & D efforts andclinical trials for detection of T.B.antigen and T.B. antibodies werecontinued for characterisation ofT.B. antigen, which is essential foridentifying specific antigens formycobacterium tuberculosis. TheCentre is engged on developingnuclear techniques for detectionof malaria and filaria. The Centredeveloped radioimmunoassays fordetecting malarial and filarial anti-gens. Work was initiated to screenpatient sera for detection of anti-gens/antibodies specific to myco-bacterium leprae.

Nuclear Fuel

The Uranium Metal Plant at Trom-bay was partially recommission-ed and production of uranium me-tal ingots started. A process forextracting uranium from the aque-ous hydrofluoric acid solutionobtained in the hydrofluorinationstep was developed. A new chemi-cal for the extraction of copper asa by-product is being studied.Performance of UCIL equipment•J Qurda, Rakha and Mosabaniwas evaluated. Laboratory studiesare in progress to improve the re-covery of different mineral con-centrates. Effort is continuing toimprove the process performanceof Byproducts Recovery Plant ofUCIL. Investigations on optimisingthe performance of Khetri CopperConcentrator of Hindustan CopperLimited were carried out. A flow

sheet was developed for recoveryof wolframite from Oegana ore ofRajasthan. Fuel elements and sub-assemblies required for CIRUSReactor were fabricated. Metallicuranium fuel clusters, and a num-ber of aluminium and zircoloy com-ponents were fabricated for theDHRUVA Reactor. Two prototypecontrol blades were fabricated forTAPS. Superconducting wire withniobium-titanium alloy in a ma-trix of copper was fabricated.Thorium oxide elements are beingfabricated for experimental workto be carried out in Switzerland.

Metallurgy

Zirconium based metallic glasseswere produced and their proper-ties were investigated. Propertiesof a number of materials wereinvestigated.

Technology for the production ofspecial ferroalloys was success-fully developed and transferred toindigenous manufacturer. A de-monstration plant for processing 2tonnes/year of tin is being set upat Raipur.

Improvements in the process ofchloridising roasting of nickel-copper sulphide concentrate weremade. Laboratory process for rareearth-silicon alloy was scaled up toproduce larger quantities. Detailedmicrostructural and electrochemi-cal studies were carried out onthe stress corrosion cracking ofInconel 600 and Incoloy 800.Basic studies on sintering anddevelopmental work on magnesiainsulators for MHD applicationswere carried out.

Radiometallurgy

Examination of prototype fuelbundles of DHRUVA reactor irra-diated in CIRUS reactor indicatedthat this fuel would have gooddimensional stability. Surveillancetests show that the pressure ves-sels of TAPS reactors would re-main in good condition till the endof their operational life. Under anIAEA Coordinated research pro-gramme, investigations were madeon neutron embrittlement of ad-vanced pressure vessel steels.Testing of uranium-plutonium mix-ed oxide fuel for thermal reactorswas continued. Fabrication of mix-ed carbide fuel for the FBTR atKalpakkam has been started.Development work on Uranium-233 based fuel fabrication hasbeen continued.

Reactor Analysis& Studies

A computer code for estimatingdifferent system dynamics underloss of coolant accident conditionin a nuclear power plant was deve-loped. Code for estimating tempe-rature transients in fuel pins afterLOCA, was also developed. Tran-sient response of the shutdowncooling system was studied andthe mathematical model for RAPSPHT system was tested in real time.As a part of the nuclear steam ge-nerator development programme, aseparator test facility and steamgenerator test facility are beingdeveloped. A new method was pro-posed for generation of spectrumcompatible earthquake accelero-gram. The program was tested

24

BARC designed, 4 metrediameter. Space Simulation Chamber installed at ISRO,

with simple inputs. As a part ofthe dynamic analysis of turbineblades, the natural frequency ofblades was analysed. Thermalhydraulic analysis of the PHT sys-tem of NAPP was done and sui-table modifications for the feedertube fixing have been suggested.The safety implications of an un-usual occurance at TAPS suddenbypass of one of the steam gene-rators, were investigated in detail.

Experimental Reactor Physics

Experimental work was done atCIRUS, TAPS, MAPS-! and in thelaboratory for measurement ofoperational and surveillance para-meters and for developing mea-surements methods in the areasof noise analysis for use in powerreactors. Use of microprocessorswas developed for on-line acqui-sition and analysis of operationaldata on power reactors and in thelaboratory. One such system wasused during an approach to criti-

cal ity of MAPS-I.

Reactor Engineering

Theoretical and experimental in-vestigations on heat transfer innuclear reactors were carried out.Computer code development andtest irradiation for fuel performanceanalysis are being continued. Afacility for testing of heavy waterreactor coolant pumps and a testfacility for testing bellow seal val-ves were commissioned. Work onthe installation of recirculatingpump and associated piping forthe integral thermal facility beingset up to test fuelling machines,was completed; Some equipmentfor 2 MW inpile loop was also pro-cured.

As a part of R & D work in thoriumutilisation, a test assembly of pluto-nium-thoriurn mixed oxide fuelpins was designed for irradiation

in CIRUS reactor. Further develop-ment of computer codes is beingdone. Feasibility of irradiatingthorium fuel in DHRUVA reactorhas been studied.

Flexibility of piping was analysedfor power reactors and heavywater projects. Stress analysis wasperformed for RAPS endshieldfeeder piping. MAPP suppressionpool and DHRUVA reactor outletfeeder were analysed for free vibra-tion. Vibration of turbine bladesand bearings and ground vibrationscaused by rotating machines wereanalysed.

Acceptance testing of the fifthfuelling machine head for MAPPwas completed. A test set up forsoft sealing plugs was developedand nickel plated seal discs were

tested.

Effect of pellet clad gap reductionin TAPS Fuel on fuel performancewas studied. Design of a fuel as-sembly with lower heat rating wascompleted.

One loop for NAPP shut off rodsystem was installed and commis-sioned.

Safety Evaluation

Reactivity effect, heat productionand radiation shielding aspectswere evaluated for irradiation ofsamples in reactors. Necessaryreactor safety assessments weremade for the installation of a coldneutron source in CIRUS reactorbeam hole. A central water holefacility was created in APSARAreactor for higher neutron flux

25

level without increasing reactorpower. This will be beneficial inirradiating samples to produceradioisotopes.

Control Engineering

The complete control equipmentfor MHD magnet was installed andis being commissioned. A voltageand frequency controlled, voltagefed high frequency inverter sys-tem was commissioned. A currentfed inverter was also fabricated.Non contact flow measurementswere carried out on various pipelines at TAPS. A number of can-ned motors- were fabricated. Four30 KVA, 1KHz solid state invertersystems along with microproces-sor based temperature controllerunits were fabricated for vitrifica-tion of high level radioactivewaste. A telecryption machine wasdeveloped to encode and decodesecret telex messages. An accesscontrol system was developed tocheck the authority of an individualseeking entry to a restricted area.The transfer of knowhow and

efforts for setting up the produc-tion facility for space grade solarcells at BHEL, Bangalore, wascontinued. One hundred cells withhigh output were supplied to theDepartment of Space. VHF linkbetween Trombay Fuel Reproces-sing Plant and PREFRE, Tarapur,was commissioned. The generalpower circuit schematic for the1500 V DC Chopper Project forIndian Railways has been finalised.The complete control system foracquiring and tracking of stars bythe 100 tonne optical telescope atIndian Institute of Astrophysics,Bangalore was designed andfabricated. A microprocessor bas-ed channel temperature monitoringsysem was designed, fabricated,tested and installed at MAPP. Thefabrication of operators' consoleand the wiring and testing of indi-vidual microcomputer system unitsfor the computer control of fuelhandling system for NAPP hasbeen completed. Design and fabri-cation of shut-off rod mechanismand adjuster rod drive mechanismfor NAPP was completed. A TDC-

Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

312 computer based gamma scan-ner system for pre-irradiation qua-lity assurance for TAPS MOX fuelpins was also designed and fabri-cated.

Reactor Operations

The experimental reactor ZERLINAwas decommissioned. The fuelelements of APSARA reached themaximum burn up level and remov-ed from the core. Arrangementsare being made to return the irra-diated fuel elements to UKAEA.The control elements ofAPSARA reactor were replaced tosuit its 'Reload II' fuel. The vacuumtube electronic components of thereactor are being replaced by solidstate devices. To eliminate humanerror in reactor operation, interlockkeys were provided for some ofthe safety related valves in theprimary coolant system of CIRUSreactor.

Heavy Water

Based on the successful operatingexperience of Heavy Water Upgra-ding Plants at RAPS and MAPS,setting up of five more similar up-grading plants have been taken up.All the downgraded heavy waterfrom CIRUS reactor was process-ed in the reconcentration plant atBARC to obtain reactor gradeheavy water. Evaluation of the per-formance of the heterogenouscatalyst for hydrogen-water ex-change developed earlier wascontinued.

Fuel Reprocessing

The initial phase of operations ofthe PREFRE Plant at Tarapur was

26

completed by reprocessing thespent uranium oxide fuel from theRAPS. The Trombay PlutoniumPlant was successfully re-commis-sioned. This plant will reprocessspent metallic uranium fuel fromCIRUS and DHRUVA reactors.Construction work on the repro-cessing plant at Kalpakkam hasbeen started.

Health Physics

Healh physics surveillance wascontinued at various installation ofDAE. Special health physics sur-veillance was provided duringcommissioning and operating pha-ses of Trombay Plutonium Plantand during decommissioning ofZERLINA reactor. Radiation expo-sure records for workers and en-vironmental releases for all DAEunits were compiled and stored ina micro-computer. A total of about3000 radiation workers from Trom-bay, RAPS, MAPS and UCIL weremonitored. The exposure levels inall the cases were well below theprescribed limits. The results ofenvironmental survey at Tarapur,Kota and Kalpakkam indicate thatradioactive contamination and radi-ation dose are much less than themaximum allowable limits. A safetycode was released for the benefitof all employees of BARC. AnIAEA research conract, on 'humannutrition' was completed. Under anIAEA project investigations werecarried out on the role of sedi-ments in accumulation and trans-port of radionuclides in waterways.A' system for in-vivo counting ofuranium in workers was commis-sioned at NFC, Hyderabad. An-

other monitor was fabricated forinternal moniormg of thorium inIRE workers at Alwaye. *

Radiological protection

A countrywide radiation safety pro-gramme is being implemented.Under IAEA research contracts,evaluation of radiation doses totransport workers resulting fromthe transport of radioactive mate-rials was performed and a spectro-photometric mehod for free radicaldosimery was developed. A phan-tom was designed to measure thedistribution of doses in skeleton,lung, and soft tissue. The skeletonwas simulated by aluminium cap-sules and lung by cork.

Waste Management

Waste Management facilities atTrombay, Kalpakkam, Tarapur andRajasthan were satisfactorily ope-rated. Construction of the WasteManagement Facility for DHRUVA

reactor at Trombay has been com-pleted. Work on the augmentationof waste management facilities atTrombay and Tarapur and on newplants at Kakrapar and Narora isprogressing. Work on setting upan experimental waste burial sta-tion in a geological formation wassanctioned. Two different depthsat Nundydoorg mines of BharatGold Mines Ltd. have been select-ed.

Electronics

A project for interconnecting miniand microcomputers by a networkfor sharing programme, data andcostly peripherals has been started.Major developmental activitieswere initiated on 8 and 16 bitmicro systems, Network Commu-nication Controller, System Soft-ware and Networking OperatingSystem Software. An Intel 8086microprocessor based system has

Microprocessor controlled scanning Auger Microprobedeveloped at BARC

2 /

been completed. Considerable im-provements have been incorporat-ed in the PRIME and PDP compu-ters. A number of electronic sys-tems were completed and deliver-ed for Project DHRUVA. Three fis-sion counters for FBTR and onecriticality monitor for plutoniumPlant were fabricated and tested.A gamma level switch for HeavyWater Plant, Kota and a LPRM forTAPS were fabricated and tested.A number of sophisticated elec-tronic devices for radiation moni-toring, nuclear safeguards andmedical applications are beingmade.

Instrumentation

A microprocessor based ScanningAuger Microprobe for nuclearmaterial development programmewas fabricated whch is being com-missioned at RRC, Kalpakkam. Asoft X-ray appearance potentialspectrometer for study of rareearths, is under development incollaboration with Bombay IIT. Ahighly sensitive mass spectro-

meter for findng the age of rocksand a new mass spectrometer fornitrogen-15 analysis, which is alsouseful in agricultural research,were developed. Facilities are be-ing set up for growing dielectricand other types of crystals forlasers, laser devices and infrareddetectors. Superconducting mag-nents for nuclear research weremade. Superconducting Wigglermagnets for synchrotron radiationsource are being designed. Stirlingcycle cryogenerator for productionof liquid nitrogen was developed.A system with liquid methane at110° Kelvin was designed for thecold neutron source at CIRUS re-actor. The Aluminising Plant forvacuum coating of the 2.3 m dia-meter mirror of the new telescopeat Kavalur Observatory, has beencommissioned.

A new versatile electron beamwelding machine has been deve-loped. A 6 KW, 150KV partialvacuum welding machine wasmodified and used for variouswelds. To develop the computer

A combustion plasma facility In operation at Trombay

control of various electron beammachines, the existing analogueversions of electronic control cir-cuits are being modified to digitalmode.

A large ultra high vacuum systemhas been designed for carryingout experiments on gravitation byTIFR.

A neutron spectrometer of a noveldesign has been designed andfabricated. It will be installed at theSpalfation Neutron . Source (SNS)of the Rutherford Appleton Labo-ratory, UK, in 1984. A neutron pola-risation analysis spectrometer de-signed and built at BARC hasbeen installed at the Korean Ato-mic Energy Research Institute(KAERI), Seoul along with micro-processor-based control and dataacquisition electronics.A laser beam welding machinewas commissioned and is beingutilised for special fabricationwork.

Lasers

Basic design of a 4 beam 1 terra-watt laser was completed andfabrication of some of the subas-semblies started. One oscillatorwas assembled and tested for per-formance. Theoretical study of un-stable travelling wave ring resona-tors was also completed and theresults suggest methods of impro-ving the' oscillator performance.Fabrication of two amplifiers is in .progress. A copper vapour laserwas designed, fabricated and ope-rated successfully. This laser wassucessfully used to pump a tunable

28

BARC developed plasma cutting torch

dye laser and the frequency of thelaser was stabilized. Experimentson laser produced plasma werecontinued.

Reliability Evaluation

Reliability Evaluation Laboratorycontinued to offer instrumentstesting and calibration servicesto industries and institutionsmainly located in the western zoneof India. A number of instrumentsof various kinds were tested ac-cording to various specifications.

Computer

The BESM-6 computer has beendecommissioned and the Honey-well-400 computer is being phas-ed out. The PDP 11/34 computerwith attached three dimensionalgraphic system and the twoPRIME 450 computers continuedto be fully utilised. Four NorskData' 540 computers were receiv-ed. A 96 channel microcomputerbased PABX was developed, and

the knowhow transferred to Cen-tral Electronics Ltd. An automaticcontrol system for a neutron spec-trometer was designed. A 640channel window annunciator datalogger for use in RAPS has beenbuilt. An Intel 8086 based compu-ter system is being designed forNAPP. A Video Digitiser whichcan transmit a picture of A4 sizein about a minute using standardtelephone lines has been deve-loped. '

Variable Energy CyclotronCentre, Calcutta

The Variable Energy Cyclotron atCalcutta is emerging as the major

national accelerator for basic andapplied research in nuclear andallied sciences. Better beams oflonger durations were delivered tothe user groups including scientistsfrom universities and researchcentres. A major improvement onthe cyclotron sub-systems was thecommissioning Of the radiofre-quency system utilising a less ex-pensive oscillator tube. An addi-tional beam transport channel wascommissioned for experiments andsophisticated beam optics for thischannel was developed. The ana-lysing magnet was installed andaligned in its proper location. Thecyclotron operation was steppedup to 96 hours per week on round-the-clock basis. The detectorlaboratory has developed 4 mmthick silicon-lithium detectors.

39 Mtv alpha team (merging out in air.

29

Nuclear Research Laboratory,Srinagar

An 80,000 curie Co-60 PANBITirradiator was installed and it isbeing utilized for sterilization ofmedical products for hospitals andfor producing economically viableradiation-induced wood-plastics.Pollution studies of Dal Lake werecarried out. The study shows thathuman activity in and around thelake have significantly altered thetrace element profiles in the lakesediments. The geochemistry ofKashmir is also being studied toreconstruct the climatic history ofthe valley.

High Alttiude ResearchLaboratory, Gulmarg

The existence of several celes-tial gamma-ray sources wasshown by data study. Separationof the two types of radiations pro-duced by very high energy cosmicrays was also achieved. An atmos-pheric Cerenkov telescope is be-ing set up at Gulmarg to carry outsurveys for galactic and extra-galatic sources of high-energygamma rays in the northern he-misphere. The telescope will beused for studying in detail severalpromising gamma-ray sources forthe first time in the country.

Seismology

The Gauribidanur Seismic Arraycontinued to monitor all seismicevents resembling undergroundnuclear explosion. One indigen-ously fabricated seismometer was

installed in Trombay to detect seis-mic tremors with sources in about100 kilometers. The rockburst mo-nitoring system established at Ko-lar Gold Field as a collaborativeproject with Bharat Gold Minesconsiderably reduced false alarmsin the mining areas.

MHD

The Department of Science andTechnology has instituted a R & Dprogramme for coal-based MHDpower plants. This programme isbeing executed by BARC in colla-boration with BHEL. An experi-mental MHD plant at a level of 5MW thermal for developing scienti-fic data and design capabilities forlarge plants is being set up atTiruchirapalli. It is expected thatthe plant will be operational during1984. Two experimental rigs forstudies on combustion plasmasand seeded inert gas plasmas areoperational at BARC, Bombay.

Inside view of Beryllium Pilot Plant

These are beng used for investiga-tions on MHD phenomena.

Beryllium Production

The Beryllium Metal Plant consist-ing of Beryllium Pilot Plant andBeryllium Machining Facility wascommissioned. During the trial ope-rations vacuum hot pressed beryl-lium blocks and copper berylliumalloys were produced for spaceand nuclear applications.

Centre for AdvancedTechnology

A Centre for Advanced Techno-logy, being set up at Indore wasinaugurated by the President onFebruary 19, 1984. The Centrewill be developed to undertakeresearch in frontier areas of highenergy accelerators, lasers andfusion. A master plan for develop-ment is underway. Some of theland has already been acquired.

Energy Utilisation Studies

Work on setting up a MultistageFlash Desalination plant is in pro-gress. The Desalination Experi-mental Facility (DEF) was operat-ed to study the performance ofvarious components. An electric-ally driven mini Reverse' Osmosisunit was demonstrated. Work onthe fabrication of 10 Cu. m/dayR.O. desalination plants to be sup-

30

plied to a few State Governmentsis progressing.

Fabrication of process equipmentand module components for theproposed pilot plant of 20 cu. mper hour hydrogen plant is in pro-gress.

The 1 tonne day pilot plant atTrombay for production of ele-mental phosphorous was subject-ed to a continuous month-longdemonstration run for transfer ofphosphorous technology.

Central Workshop

Central Workshop continued de-sign, development and fabricationof special equipment arid mecha-nical components required forvarious units of DAE.

Technology Transfer

A Technology Transfer Cell hasbeen set up for the transfer of allthe technological knowhow fromBARC to outside agencies for com-mercial exploitation.

The technologies transferred were.(1) Low Carbon Ferro Alloys, (2)Osmotic Dehydration of Fruits, (3)Microprocessor Based PABX/PAX,(4) Automatic Fraction Collectorsand (5) Surface Area MeasuringApparatus.

BARC patent on refractory gradecarbon blocks was asigned to twoagencies

R e a c t o r Research C e n t r e ,K a l p a k k a m

Research and development pro-grammes at the Reactor ResearchCentre, Kalpakkam are devoted tothe indigenous design, construc-tion and operation of liquid metal-cooled Fast Breeder Reactors(LMFBRs). In addition to the FastBreeder Test Reactor (FBTR),which is in the final stagos of con-struction, work has been under-taken on the design and develop-ment of a Prototype Fast BreederReactor (PFBR) of 500 MWe cap-acity.

FBTR

All the components and equipmentfor FBTR were received at site andmost of them have been installed.

40 MT Large rotating plug of the reactorvessel ol FBTR.

Control rod drive mechanisms(CRDMs) were received, air testedand are ready for installation. Pip-ing work is in progress. Installa-tion and commissioning of controland instrumentation equipment isprogressing simultaneously. Leaktesting of the reactor containmentbuilding was carried out. Leakrate was found to be well withinthe specified value. Core subas-semblies have been installed inthe reactor vessel.

Work has commenced on the fab-rication of the stainless steel cladPlutonium carbide-uranium carbide(PuC-UC) fuel pins for the firstcore loading. Commercial gradesodium has been purified to reac-tor grade for charging into thesecondary sodium circuit. Com-missioning of the auxiliary systemshas been completed. Preparationof commissioning procedures andtraining of personnel is in progress.The overall physical progress ofthe project, is about 97.5 per centand first criticality is planned forthe end of 1984.

500 MW Prototype FBR

The Working Group constituted bythe Department for preparation ofthe preliminary design and feasi-bility reports for PFBR has recom-mended a 500 MWe sodium-cooledfast breeder reactor to be set upbefore the year 2000. Preliminarydesign of the nuclear steam sup-ply system of the prototype reac-tor has been completed. Ths de-sign of the main components andiayout has been made and preli-minary cost estimates, project

31

schedule and details of infrastruc-ture requirements, and links withother projects have been workedout. The R & D requirements forthe PFBR have been assessed.Technology development for thislarge reactor will be completedwith the participation of Indianindustry.

Reactor Engineering Laboratoryfor Sodium Technology

The Reactor Engineering Labora-tory was established to un-dertake development of sodiumtechnology and testing of com-ponents and instruments of FBTRand PFBR. About 100 tonnes ofcommercial grade sodium forFBTR was. procured from indi-genous sources. • This sodiumwas treated and purified upto oxy-gen content less than 2 ppm.Two CRDMs were tested for

their satisfactory performance.One is undergoing tests in sodium,simulating the reactor conditions.Rupture discs required for thesteam generator circuit weremanufactured and delivered toFBTR Construction Group. Theliquid metal seal for the large ro-tating plug for FBTR was fabri-cated. The seal consists oftwo stainless steel tube, one in-side the other containing low mel-ting eutectic of tin-bismuth. Ex-tensive trials were carried out foreffective tinning and the sealswere successfully tested with he-lium under vacuum.

Metallurgy

The programme of base line datageneration and characterisation ofmaterials for fuel cladding andcomponents of FBTR and the eva-

FiMHJng maclilna

luation of candidate materials forPFBR made significant progressduring the year. Valuable insighthas been gained into the behaviourof structures of 304 stainless steelwelded by manual metal arc, bycomparing the fatigue lives. Frac-ture studies of austenitic stainlesssteel aged at different combina-tions of time and temperature sho-wed the advantages of using pre-cracked specimens for charpy im-pact testing vis-a-vis conventionalcharpy impact testing. Corrosionstudies conducted on the pittingresistance of type 316 stainlesssteel weld metal aged at high tem-peratures have shown the benefi-cial effect of nitrogen addition inthe weld metal. An ultrasoundbeam equipment was designed andfabricated for applications such asprecise thickness and residualstress measurements. Design ofa shielded cast for transportationof irradiated subassemblies fromFBTR storage bay to the Radio-metallurgy Laboratory, through an .underground trench, was also beencompleted.

Radiochemistry

The Radiochemistry Laboratorywas commissioned for radioactivi-ty work and chemical studies withPlutonium have commenced. The.inert gas recirculatiorP system forproviding high purity environmentin the hot cells is under fabrica-tion. With a view to understandingthe phenomenon of third phaseformation during the extraction ofPlutonium in reprocessing plants,,studies are being carried out toestablish the critical concentra-tions above which this happens.

32

Precision in the isotopic analysisof boron has been enhanced con-siderably by means of a new pro-cedure. For monitoring hydrogenin liquid sodium, two on-linemeters were designed andtested. These and the oxygen andcarbon meters developed earlierare being subjected to long termtests in sodium loops.

Fuel Reprocessing Laboratory

This Laboratory has been engagedin the development of equipment,process instrumentation and spe-cial hot-cell techniques for repro-cessing fast reactor fuels. Thechemical laboratory was commis-sioned for handling active material,for the development of heavymetal dissolution, separation ofPlutonium and uranium etc. Theconcrete cells were com-missioned for operations initiallywith uranium, under conditionssimulating those for reprocessingof irradiated fuel. Two new typesof solvent contractors-horizontalbaffle and multi-pulsed column,were developed. A bank of cen-trifugal contactors was also fabri-cated.

Computer models were developedfor extraction and stripping flowsheets for uranium-plutonium sys-tems. Laboratory studies on directdissolution of uranium mono-carbide followed by oxidation oforganic acid so formed have givenencouraging results.

Safety Research

Release characteristics of fissionproduct iodine in fires involving

Sodium heated steam generator for FBTR.

primary sodium were studied usingsodium spiked with radioiodim.Laboratory scale experiments forthe benign digestion of sodium inwaste matrix were successfullycompleted. In the area of fuelcoolant interactions, techniquesfor melting UO2 under sodiumwere developed. Non-invassiveaccurate liquid level monitors us-ing ultrasonic techniques were

designed and installed at some ofthe units of the Department. Eva-luation of the interface effects inShield-tissue systems was alsodone and based on this studymodification of the current radia-tion standards has been proposed.A non-destructive method of es-timating water content in concretewas developed. A detailedanalysis of the data generated

33

1-1

.* . -"«/ #..-

1. Madras Atomic Power Station-1 with switchyard 4.

2. Heavy water plant, Kota

3. Uranium metal ingots

4. Centreless grinding of thorium oxide pellets

5. Fast Breeder Test Reactor, Kalpakkam

Inset: lowering of reactor vessel

100 MW thermal research reactor

DHRUVA with control room

1. UHV compatible components daveloped at BARC

2. BARC developed alumintsing plant at Kovalur

3. Moong pulse mutant developed at BA.RC

in the studies on the use of rareearth oxides in concrete reactorshields was carried out to com-plete the IAEA research contractwork. A state-of-the-art reviewwas carried out on fission productrelease and transport followingloss of coolant accidents in waterreactors. A microcomputer basedsimulator is being built for train-ing the staff for handling any emer-gency involving the release ofradioactivity to the environmentfrom nuclear facilities.

Materials Science

Research on materials of relevanceto the fast reactor programme werecontinued . Experimental investi-gations of the behaviour of hydro-gen and helium in metals and sur-face irradiation damage to mate-rials were made. A thermal desor-ption spectrometer has been fab-ricated for detailed studies of therelease of helium from metal sur-faces and near-surface regions.Super-conductivity of europiummolybdenum sulphide was investi-gated under high pressures anddown to very low temperatures. Ahelium-cadmium laser for lightscattering studies was made andcommissioned. The fabricationand assembly of a 2 MV tandemaccelerator and a 400 K»V heavyion implementation facility are inprogress.

Instrumentation

In addition to developing specificinstruments, design of completeinstrument systems for various pro-

jects was undertaken. Project re-ports were prepared for the con-trol and instrumentation systemsfor Neutron Source Reactor atKalpakkam, computerisation of in-strumentation for heavy waterplants and noise analysis and ul-trasonic monitoring systems.

Work on KARP commenced

Construction work on the Kalpak-kam Reprocessing Plant (KARP)commenced during the year. Ar-chitectural and structural design1

for the major facilities of this pro-ject has begun.

Tata institute ofFundamental Research

The core activity of TIFR is thefundamental research in mathe-matics, astrophysics and otherbasic sciences. The Institute hasalso been engaged in the researchand development in the advancedareas of electronics, computerand material science. In" theseareas projects of national relevanceare undertaken. National Centrefor Software Development andComputing Techniques (NCSDCT),the Homi Bhabha Centre for Sci-ence Education (HBCSE) and theBasic Dental Research Project aresome other activities of TIFR. Re-search is also carried out underthe aegis of the Institute at RadioAstronomy Centre and Cosmic RayLaboratory, Ootacamund, the un-derground laboratory KGF, theBalloon Facility, Hyderabad andApplications of Mathematics andRadio Astronomy Centre, Banga-lore.

Mathematics

In the School of Mathematics,work was continued in the tradi-tional areas of algebra, algebraicgeometry, lie groups, numbertheory, geometry and topology,analysis and combinatorics. Con-tributions resulting from an in-depth study of some of SrinivasaRamanujan's work and of Eulerwere made during the year.

Theoretical Studies

The School of Physics has boththeoretical and experimental gro-ups.' In the Theoretical PhysicsGroup, research activities in awide spectrum of topics in highenergy physics, condensed mat-ter and statistical' physics, andnuclear physics are carried out.As in other laboratories over theworld, this group in TIFR is deeplyengaged on the 'topic of the de-cade' — the Grand Unificationtheories and the related topics ofbaryon number violation, chargenon-conservation, quantum chro-mo-dynamics, evaporation of mes-ons from quark-gluon plasma etc.There have been studies underlow-temperature physics, phasetransitions, physics of semiconduc-tors, surface physics, percolationtheory and strongly coupled elec-tron lattice systems. Elementaryexcitations in Peierls Systems andDirected Percolation and AnimalProblems have been the topics ofconsiderable current interest inthe group.

The interests of the TheoreticalAstrophysics Group range from

34

cometary and planetary physics tosolar physics, stellar evolution,pulsar instabilities, hydro-dyna-mics of supernova collapse, accre-tion disks, quasars and quantumcosmology. The discovery of themillisecond pulsar PSR 1937-214has prompted several theoreticalinvestigations. As a logical con-sequence of the gravitation lensand screen concepts, the novalsuggestion has been made that theabnormal optical brightness aswell as the apparent superluminalseparation of VIBI radio com-ponents of the quasar 3C273 aredue to an intervening massive butfaint galaxy.

Experimental Physics Groups

The Bubble Chamber Group hascontinued studies on hadronicallyproduced charm particles usingthe facilities available at the CERNaccelerators.

There is an attempt to search fornew particles suspected to existby a member of the Group. Acosmic ray experiment in collabo-ration with the University of Guja-rat is being planned towards thispurpose to be carried out atAhmedabad.

Good progress has been achievedin Space Shuttle Spacelab cosmicray experiment by the Institute'sCosmic Ray and Solar Physic*Group. A system for SpacelabData Acquisition is being develop-ed.

The High Energy Cosmic RayGroup addresses itself to the pro-

Flight modal of cosmic ray iMtamwntAnuradha lor space shuttlt — ipacilab 3 mission of NASA.

blems in elementary particle phy-sics, high energy physics, cosmicrays and high energy astrophysics.The proton decay experiment atthe Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) whichis one of the crucial experimentsfor the test of the unification theo-ries was continued. Plans for amuch larger scate second phaseexperiment with improved resolu-tion have been finalised and anew underground laboratory at adepth of about 2300 metres in thesame mines is under construction.The KGF air shower experimentin which a large air shower arrayis operated at the surface of themine in conjunction with the detec-tors at different depths under-ground and which has been inoperation for almost a decade now,has revealed an interesting trendin the behaviours of ultra highenergy subatomic p f 'tides muonsin air showers. As a follow-up ofthis experiment and to extend theobservations to higher energies, anew larger scale air shower arrayhas been installed surroundingthe new surface laboratory that

has been built at the KGF. Thearray wili be operated in conjunc-tion with large area detectors at adepth of about 1200 metres.The Ultra High Energy GammaRay telescope operating throughthe detection of night air ceren-kov radiation at Ooty, revealedshe extremely interesting possibi-lity of existence of micro-burstslasting a few milliseconds, in thepulsed gamma ray emission of theCrab Nebula. Institute's GammaRay Astronomy Group has a jointcollaborative experiment with twolaboratories in Moscow, USSR,namely Lebedev Institute of Phy-sics and Moscow Physical Engi-neering Institute. The experi-ments were conductsd by balloonflights.

As part of the continued study ofthe spatial and spectral distributionof diffuse cosmic soft X-ray back-ground, a thin window propor-tional counter soft X-ray telescopewas launched on a Rohini 560rocket from the Sriharikota com-plex on August 11, 1982. Thisrocket flight has been extremelysuccessful and the data, underanalysis, will provide very valuableinformation on several aspects ofthe diffuse soft X-ray backgroundin regions not covered in the ear-lier flights. The Guest Observerprogramme offered by NASA onthe Einstein X-ray Obse-^tory,has been efficiently used for highspectral resolution observations onRSCV n binary sigma CrB enab-ling for the first time the precisemeasurement of its coronal tem-perature to be 6.3 million Kelvin.A new AM Her binary H2003

35

225 (period : 3 h 42 m) was discove-red. A long-term periodicity of300 days has been suggested inthe X-ray emission from the blackhole candidate Cyg X-1. As asequel to the 75 cm Infrared Tel-escope which was successfullyflown from Hyderabad, a new onemetre aperture infrared telescopehas been developed. Opticalcounterparts of 85 of the 88 'unid-entified' sources of the EquatorialInfrared Catalogue Number 1(EIC-1) were identified and theirP and R magnitudes estimated.In addition 19 of the yet unidenti-fied 75 EIC-1 sources were identi-fied with sources in the BD cata-logue.

A fast survey of relatively strongradio sources was carried outduring the year with the OotyRadio Telescope in a region ofthe sky which was not coveredearlier by other observers in the

metre wave band. Interplanetaryscintillation technique was usedto study the detailed structure ofsources picked up from the OotyOccultation lists. Nine new pul-sars in the fields of supernovaremnants were discovered and thepossible relations between pulsarsand supernova remnants are be-ing studied. A declination scan-ning technique has been develop-ed to map extended fields 2° x 2°,with the Ooty Synthesis RadioTelescope (OSRT) which hasstarted operating fully upto 1.2km. base line. The on-line com-puter PDP 11/24 for the OSRT hasalso been commissioned.

One of the successes of NuclearReactions Group has been thediscovery of a new channel forobserving resonances associatedwith inner shell excitations in mol-ecules paving the way to the studyof hitherto inaccessible molecules

100 cm far infrared balloon borne telescope ready for launch

and radicals of astrophysical im-portance.

The Group is entrusted with theresponsibility of setting up thebeam lines for the pellestron acce-lerator. A beam bunching systemis also being developed.The Nuclear Spectroscopy Groupis also associated with the settingup the Pellestron Project. Thesuperconducting Linac is beingdeveloped in the Group.

The helium (3)-helium (4) dilutionrefrigerator is fully operations.. Itis now routinely used for magne-tic measurements down to 22 mk.Entirely new phenomena of thecompetition between valence fluc-tuations and magnetic orderingand their possible coexistencehave been demonstrated forthe first time in tin dopedcompound. EuPdaSi2 which hasprofounfl implications in the basicunderstanding of the valencefluctuations in rare-earths. A new

.class of magnetic substances com-prising of rubidium, iron and sili-con/boron has been discoveredwhose properties defy conven-tional explanation in terms of exis-ting theories of magnetism.

In the Solid State Physics Groupstudy of rare earth compoundshas led to important results onvalence fluctuating systems. Ad-dition of small sized atoms suchas boron and silicon was found tocause very interesting changes inthe valence of europium in com-pound EuPd.-i and gave rise tocharge ordering at low temperatu-res.

36

A peculiar oscillation in ultraso-nic attenuation as a function oftemperature has been observedin ferroelectric compound KH«Po4.Such an oscillation has not beenreported earlier. An arc furnacewith splat cooling was set up. Itwas used to produce mate-rials in amorphous form. A highpressure hydrogen gas reactorwas set up to form and study met-alhydrogen systems. Hydrogenabsorption was observed in che-mical LaNi,- and some other testsamples. A micro-processor hasbeen developed with necessaryhardware and software to operatein conjunction with the Mossbauermultichannel analyser to speed updata processing on the centralcomputer installation. The sub-micron YIG microstructure has.been synthesised. A major ac-hievement has been in the suc-cessful preparation of co-enzyme-coated graphite electrodes. Theseelectrodes have excellent electro-chemical properties and appearpromising for use as anodes inbiochemical fuel cells.

Considerable progress has beenmade towards setting up the 500MHz FT NMR National Facility atthe Institute. The Molecular Bio-logy Group has shown that in thefruitfly Drosophila melanogaster,acetylcholinesterase, an enzymecritically important in neural func-tion has a tetrameric hydrophobicstructure In its membrane boundfocm in the brain. A new modelof regulation in brain hexokinasecapable of explaining disparateobservations on the kinetic andregulatory properties of this enzy-

me has been proposed.

The Hydrology Group has set upa station at Thural thermal springfor measuring radon with a viewto test its usefulness fpr predictingearthquakes.

In the area of Speech and DigitalSystems research, results publi-shed this year vindicate thespeech recognition strategy pro-posed by this laboratory earlier.A number of experiments aimedat a better understanding of theparameters relevant for recogni-tion of various types of speechsounds were successfully tried out.Very large digital systems deve-loped by the laboratory for elec-tronic switching and air trafficcontrol type of applications, wereaccepted for field use. These arenow under commercial produc-tions.

The Solid State Electronics Groupworks in the areas of silicon de-vices, device materials, amorphoussemiconductors and Group Ill-Vcompounds. A high power (20watts), argon ion laser was pro-cured, installed and made functio-nal for laser annealing experi-ments. Studies are being made toselectively recrystalltse polysiliconlayers to fabricate devices onamorphous substracts. The state-of-the-art technology for the con-structions of linear microwaveelectron tubes has been developedby the Microwave EngineeringGroup of the Institute, and usedfor building a 4 MeV linear acce-lerator for radiographic non-des-tructive test applications. Studies

have been initiated to extend theutility of such equipment for radio-graphic medical (cancer) therapy.The computer network experiment(COMNEX) conducted by theNCSDCT in collaboration with theSpace Applications Centre, Ah-medabad and TelecommunicationsResearch Centre, New Delhi hassucceeded in setting up a packetbroadcasting network connectingearth stations in Ahmedabad,Bombay and Delhi. New algori-thms were developed in the gra-phics and VLSI design areas.

A suitable site for carrying outultrasensitive experiments onsome aspects of the gravitationalforce, has been located in the vici-nity of the Gauribidanur SeismicArray of BARC in Karnataka. Thedesign of the vibration-free deepwell laboratory and instrumenta-tion for the experiment are in pro-gress.

The search for anti-particlesamong the primary cosmic raysusing nuclear emulsions flown tohigh altitudes has led to the detec-tion of four cases of anti-protonsand one possible example of ananti-titron nucleus.

Saha Institute of NuclearPhysics

The research activities of theSaha Institute of Nuclear Physicsspan several disciplines. The In-stitute has in addition a postM.Sc. teaching and training pro-grammme. It also provides re-search facilities to a large numberof students leading towards theirPh.D. degrees^

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Experimental Nuclear Physics

The decay schemes of rhodium(99) and rhodium (100m) produ-ced by trie proton beam of theSINP cyclotron were studied. Theelectron capture decays of twonaturally occuring radioactive iso-topes lanthanum (138) and tellu-rium (123) were also measuredaccurately with a high-resolutionHPGe X-ray detector.

On-line and off-line experimentswere carried out using the alpha-particle beam of the VEC. Elasticand inelastic scattering of 30 MeValpha particles were studied oncarbon (12), magnesium (24),silicon (28), tellurium (130) andgold (197). In-beam gamjrna-spec-troscopic studies were made onenriched zinc (64) and gold (197).Life-time measurements of cobalt(57) and iron (57) were also made.The alpha-beam time-structure ofVEC has been improved.

The positron annihilation techni-que was used to study the annea-ling behaviour of defects produ-ced by bombardment of 30 MeValpha particles from VEC in mo-lybdenum and nickel specimensand by neutrons in molybdenum.Developmental work carried outby the Experimental Nuclear Phy-sics group comprised preliminarydesign and fabrication of a linearinduction accelerator, a high-voltage static inverter of 3.4 KW,a multiwire proportional, counter,flow-type gas counter systemsand gas jet transport system forvery short lived activities. A newelectrostatic generator is being

installed for carrying on resear-ches with neutrons.

Atomic, Molecular and Solid StatePhysics

The experimental activities of thisgroup were centered around anisotope separator, two mass-spectrometers (secondary ion andinhomogeneous), a 300 KV ionanalyser, facilities for NMR study,X-band spectrometer for ESR stu-dies developed in SINP, Moss-bauer spectroscope, spectroscopyin the ultraviolet (UV) and visibleregion, microwave spectroscopyand cryogenic facilities.

An ultra high vacuum system wasattached to the collision chamberof the secondary ion mass spec-trometer and the variation of alu-minium ions at nearly 10"8 torrpressure under fast cadmium ionbombardment was studied. Tem-perature dependence of the sputtering yield of gallium arsenide,the angular distribution of sput-tered silver atoms during ion bom-bardment and the morphology ofsputtered surfaces were investiga-ted. The fast ion beam from themass separator was used in thesestudies. The inhomogeneous mass-spectrometer was used to studyatomic collision in gases. The 300KV ion analyser is presently beinginstalled. The 30 MeV alpha-beamfrom the VEC was used to bom-bard tantalum foil for radiationeffect studies.

Paramagnetic triplet state in para-nitroacetophenone molecufe wasdetected by ESR studies. Struc-

tural phase-transitions in manga-nese and zinc fluotitanate hexa-hydrate systems was studied bymeans of Raman scattering. Moss-bauer technique was used to in-vestigate charge transfer proces-ses in inorganic layered cyanidesand in intercalated ferrocene.Characteristic absorption bandsin the ultra violet and visible re :

gions were observed and the dif-fused reflectance spectra of claycomplex and sintered oxides arebeing studied. Microwave spec-trum of Cis 2-fluorophenol wasobserved and analysed in parti-cular frequency range and state.Similar study for 'Cis 3-fluorophe-nonol has been completed.

The Molecular and Solid StatePhysics Group comprises a strongteam of theoreticians concentra-ting on various aspects of many-body theory, phase-transitions,surface properties , magnetismetc.

The gauge variational method wasextented upto the fourth order tocalculate the diamagnetic sus-ceptibility of carbondioxide mole-cule. The homogeneous broaden-ing of NMR line was calculated.Renormalisation group and extra-polation results of exact simula-tion were used to solve a direct-ed self-avoiding walk (SAW) mo-del of linear polymers in externalfield containing monomers havingdipole moments. For magneticpolymers a new nearest neigh-bour interacting Ising model on aSAW lattice was treated by theMonte Carlo method and by anapproximate theory. A scaling

38

theory and a computer simula-tion programme were also deve-loped for the study of fractureproperties.

Magnetic properties of planar (2D)ferromagnet and antiferromagnetwere studied by the correlatedeffective field theory including the

' effects of crystal field anisotropy.Antiferromagnet was better expla-ined whereas for • ferromagnetsrandom phase approximation pro-duced good results close to thecritical temperature. Also one-dimensional Ising model in thepresence of crystal field was ex-actly solved for any spin. Itsagreement with experimental re-sults was found to be excellent.

Bioscience

X-ray structure and conformationnal analyses of adrenergic drugmolecules and their derivativeswere also carried out with a viewto understanding the mechanismof drug action at molecular level.In the study of electronic andconformational aspects.of biolo-

, gically active compounds thecomplete conformational analysisof several GABA-inhibitors wasperformed. An interesting non-

• collagenous component with ahigh tyrosine content has beenpurified. Its role in fibrillogenesisof collagen is being studied.

In the studies on DNA structureand function, rates have beenworked out for branch migrationof DNA-strands.

In another study the deformationin the DNA double helix due tosuperhelicity was shown to beconfined in a specific regionhaving the lowest temperaturein a number of different DNAmolecules.

The role of poly (ADP-ribose)polymerase in the repair of MNN-G induced damages in DNA wasstudied. Existence of irreducibleerror-prone repair in ultravioletirradiated V-79 cells was confirm-ed from the mutation and cellu-lar studies and under X-irradiationan error-probf fast repair activity,was identified.

18.6 MeV alpha particles from VECwere used in bombarding a va-cuum dried thin lipid film. Variousquantitative effects were studied.

Plasma Physics

During the year a hot plasma pro-ject using a toroidal tokamakdevice was approved by the Coun-cil of the Institute. The machineparameters are .now being finali-sed in consultation with an interna-tional company.

To obtain prior experience in dia-gnostics of hot plasma a smalllinear machine has been designedfor fabrication by the SINP Group.

Nuclear Chemistry

In radiochemisry, ion-exchangeand solvent extraction techniqueswere used to devise simplemethods of separation in diffi-cult systems of interest. Titaniumphosphate was synthesized and

used as an effective inorganic ionexchanger for the separation ofzircqnium (95)-nipbium(95), U-UXetc. Organic ion exchangers werealso utilised in the separation ofvarious oxidation states of sulphur.A polymer based photosensitizersystem, which may have potentialapplication in solar energy con-version, is being developed andthe effect of clays on suitablephotoinduced electron transferprocesses is under investigation.

Instrumentation

An all solid-state frequency stan-dard was developed. It utili-ses a new technique of charge-drive in a series of multi-pliers togenerate in few stages severalhundred milliwatts at 50 and 500MHz from a 5 MHz standard. Themethod of charge-drive utilisedto generate narrow well definedfractional sine wave of collectorcurrent needed for efficient highorder frequency multiplication inVHF/UHF band was analysed.This method was shown to beequally applicable to highly effi-cient class-C amplifier operation.

A new phase-correcting systemwhich remarkably reduces theVCO phase-noise over the entireoscillator feedback loop-band-width with respect to the cleanreference was developed. Incontract to the conventional systern, it allows much wider loop-bandwidth without sacrificing theadvantage of low settling time. Abeam' current integrator has alsobeen developed and tested for

39

satisfactory performance.

An interfacing net work was deve-loped to route the detector signalslocated in the scattering chamberin VECC to the proper ADC'swhich are used in the PDP-11based data acquisition system.

A three transistor limiter circuitwas developed to shape scien-tillation counter pulses to asquare shape having 2 nanose-cond rise and fall times and aflat top which makes possible theattainment of a fast coincidenceresolving time of 0.6 nonosecondswithout taking recourse to pulse-height and/or rise-time compen-sation.

A single photon source was alsodeveloped and the singlephotondetection characteristics of pho-tomultiphers have been studied indetails.

A control circuit for the hot cathodeionisation gauge type RCA 1949or equivalent Bayard-Alpert typehas been developed for measure-ment of high vacuum down tomillionth of atmospheric pressure.A 20 volt peak to peak highlylinear ramp generator havingvariable slope up time and variab-l e amplitude has been develop-ed with linear integrated circuitsfor use in the microwave spectro-scopy laboratory.

Theoretical Physics

The Theoretical Physics Grouphas an extended activity coveringseveral broad areas of researchlike nuclear structure and reac-

tions, intermediate-energy physics,high-energy and elementary parti-cle physics, physics of macromo-lecules, statistical physics, plasmaphysics and general physics andquantum mechanics. Detailed in-vestigations were carried out onthe topics of fundamental naturesuch as the meqhanism responsi-ble for nuclear reactions involvingtransfer of light particles and hea-vy ions with or without statisticalannihilation, quark-antiquark inperturbative QCD, solvable fieldtheoretic models etc. The Groupexpects to complete some of itsinvestigations very soon.

Tata Memorial Centre

During the year the Tata MemorialCentre, comprising of Tata Memo-rial Hospital and Cancer ResearchInstitute, continued its activitiesin the areas of diagnosis, treat-ment and research in cancer, em-barked upon newer methods oftreatment by performing the coun-try"s first successful bone marrowtransplantation, intensified train-ing and educational activities, es-tablished and consolidated a ruralbase and augmented basic rese-arch activities.

Tata Memorial Hospital

_Over 10,000 new cancer patientswere registered and about 15,500surgical, 26,000 pathology and65,000 radiology procedures werecarried out. The Pain Clinic,commissioned during the year,will take care of patients receivingtherapy for pain relief. A Modu-lab was also commissioned in

1983. It will provide facilities tomonitor patients in the post ope-rative intensive care unit particu-larly the complications associatedwith cardio-vascular system. Avery large comprehensive CriticalCare Unit is now being organisedwhich will become operational bythe end of 1984.

New methodology in cancer treat-ment is being tried in varioustypes of cancers particularlyblood cancer. At the Centre was

. also successfully conducted thecountry's first bone marrow trans-plantation in a nine year old girlwith an acute myeloid (white bloodcell) leukaemia in remission. Thishas opened up a new chapter inthe treatment of leukaemias inIndia. A Bone Marrow TransplantCentre is going to be commission-ed shortly.

Controlled clinical trials in acutelymphatic leukaemia, acute andchronic myeloid leukaemias areunder way and the preliminary re-sults are encouraging.

Breast preservation in cancer inselected patients by sophisticatedsurgical and radiation techniqueshas been successfully carried but.Combination of various modalitiesot treatment such as surgery, ra-diation and chemotherapy in thetreatment of cancer particularly intesticular cancer, bone and ad-vanced breast cancers have im-proved the. results.

A Tumour Marker Laboratory esta-.blished in 1982, <was activelyinvolved in the detection'and as-sessment of response of tumours

40

Bone marrow transplant patient receiving sterile food.

to treatment. The laboratory alsoengaged on clinical research andin due course will produce mono-clonal antibodies specific for diffe-rent cancers. Steriod receptorstudies in breast and other can-cers were initiated.

A community rural cancer diag-nostic scheme, initiated last yearin Barsi, Solapur district of Maha-rashtra continued its activities inconducting rural camps. Effortsfor early diagnosis have thus beenextended in an organised way tothe rural areas.

Tata Memorial Hospital conducteda continued training programme invarious disciplines in oncology ex-tending over a period of six mon-ths.

The Centre has been recognisedas an advanced post-graduateteaching complex.

Cancer Research Institute

The Cancer Research Institute hasbeen focusing attention on can-cers which are associated withlife style. Preliminary studies un-dertaken have shown a high inci-dence of cancer of the upper yas-tro-intestinal tract in blue collarworkers as compared to whitecollar workers and the possibleassociation being excessive tobac-co usage among blue collar wor-kers. Experiments are underwayto reduce the tar nicotine contentof bidi smoking. Preliminary fieldtrials with filter bidis indicatedgood response and acceptability.

Investigations are being carriedout to determine immunologicalstatus of oral cancer patients us-ing sophisticated techniques. To-bacco, the main ingredient of che-wing pan, was shown to containnitrosamines which are potent car-cinogens. It was also found thatchilly, under certain conditions,may promote the induction ofliver tumours by known carcino-gens. The peripheral blood T-lymphocytes of Hodgkin's patientswere found to be incapable ofundergonig clonal proliferation inresponse to PHA which is a mito-gen. It was shown that clonal ex-pansion of the cells is dependenton the availability of T-cell growthfactor — lnterleukin-2 (IL2).

Studies conducted at the Instituterevealed that T-cells, which play adominant role in induction of im-mune response, are not a homo-genous population but consist ofsub-sets of cells having differentfunctions. The overall immuneresponse depends on the relativenumber of these cells, particularlythe suppressors and helpers.Studies are underway to find outif the protein (M. W. 37K) could beused as a biological marker to dia-gnose leukaemia.

The Institute has been working oncell membrane differences in nor-mal and leukaemic cells usingcon-A, a plant lectin which bindsto cells at a specific binding site(receptor). Studies are underwayto investigate the role of differentcon-A binding proteins in thephagocytic function of the cell.Binding of drugs to plasma protein

41

is known to modulate their phar-maco-kinetics and efficacy. Plas-ma protein patterns are subjectedto tremendous variations in Indianpopulation due to widespread mal-nutrition and infections. Usingradiolabelled drugs and electro-phoresis of plasma proteins, it wasshown that bleomycin, a popularanti-cancer drug, shows higherbinding to gamma-globulins (anormal plasma constitutent). Whencovalently bound to gamma-glo-bulin and injected in laboratoryanimals, the drug showed prefe-rential localisation in the lungs.This observation may providesome explanation for the lung toxi-city of the drug usually manifestedin the form of interstitial fibrosis.Nuclear Magnetic Resonance(NMR) has become an important

non-invasive technique to diagnoseearly cancers.in the body. TheInstitute has been working on itsgeological basis.

Drug resistance, acquired or natu-ral, is a major problem in cancerchemotherapy. Its mechanism isyet very poorly understood. TheInstitute has undertaken to studythese problems with reference toadriamycin and bouverdin drugswhich are used in the treatment ofcancer. Further bone marrow de-pression has been the outcome ofaggressive chemotherapy. Theexperiments are .underway to tac-kle this problem by performing au-tologus bone marrow transplant.The methodology has been work-ed out. Bone marrow cell lines ofthe myeloid has been developed

during the last one year. It willfacilitate research on cellulargrowth and differentiation.

During the period, the Institute es-tablished the Hybrjdoma La-boratory to prepare highlyspecific monoclonal antibo-dies. So far 100 clones have beenprepared against leukaemic cells(myeloblast). Four clones areproducing antibodies that exhibitconsiderable specificity againstmyeloblast. It is being exchangedwith other international groupsworking in the field. Further stu-dies on anti-leprosy vaccine havebeen promising. The vaccine hasproduced persistent enhancementin the protective immunity inpatients as well as healthy suscep-tible subjects.

42

Public SectorUndertakings

IRE attained a record turnover of Rs. 16.47 crores and earned foreign exchangeworth Rs. 2.92 crores; work on OSCOMproject is in advanced stage; UCIL earneda profit of Rs. 38.07 lakhs before tax adjustment; a record production of uraniumconcentrator achieved; Uranium Recovery Plant at Rakha Commissioned; ECIL net-ted a profit of Rs. 2.13 crores; steady progress maintained in major thrust areas.

Indian Rare Earths Ltd.

During the financial year endingon March 31, 1983 the Com-pany attained a record salesturnover of Rs. 16.47 crores whichexceeded the previous year'sturnover by Rs.,2.92 crores repre-senting an increase of 21.5 percent. Profit after tax amountedto Rs. 1.39 crores. The Companyhas also attained record foreignexchange earnings of Rs. 9.48crores- a 34 per cent increase, ascompared to the previous year'sfigure of Rs. 6.25 crores. This per-formance of the Company is parti-cularly significant in the context ofvarious constraints such as severeand prolonged power-cuts, decli-ning quality of raw sand due tonatural causes and water salinityproblems. The Company has beenconsistently paying dividends tothe Government for the last tw.odecades. The dividend paid dur-ing the year 1982-H3 was Rs.15.88 lakhs.

Production

On the production front, the Com-pany was faced with the severeproblems of high salinity of waterand unprecedented power cuts inthe states of Kerala and TamilNadu leading to the' closure of thefactories when 100 per cent cutwas enforced. However, the valueof production of the products pro-duced by trie Company was higherthan the previous year's figures.Despite severe constraints, thecapacity utilisation of Rare EarthsDivision was 77.1 per cent andMinerals Division 73.2 per cent.

Orissa Sands Complex (OSCOM)Project

Construction work on the projectis in its advanced phase. Workon the floating of Dredge & WetConcentrator is completed. TheDredge Plant has been commis-sioned and trial runs are in pro-gress. Similarly most of the civilworks have been completed anderection of plant and machinery

is in progress. Work on commu-nications and other systems in anintegrated manner is in progress.Slippage in delivery schedules byfabrication contractors has affec-ted the schedule. Nevertheless,steps are being taken at variouslevejs to expedite the completionof the project.

Research and DevelopmentActivities

Research and development activi-ties have centred-on diversificationin the Rare Earths Division andefforts are also being made in theMinerals Division, especially indeveloping zirconium derivatives.Some efforts have already been

made to diversify the productrange on a small scale by produc-ing compounds of individual rareearths, zirconium chemicals andzircon based products. The Com-pany has launched schemes to goin for large scale diversification in

43

the field of separation of highvalue rare elements from mixedrare earths, which is an area ofpotentially great significance tothe Company. Research and de-velopment efforts are also con-centrated on cost reduction mea-sures and saving in fuel cost byusing low sulphur heavy stock oilinstead of furnace oil.

Future Plans and Outlook

The over-all outlook for the com-ing year is encouraging as de-mands for Company's major pro-ducts like ilmenite and rare earthschloride in the export market isfirming up. Demand for the Com-pany's products (tri-sodium phos-phate, rutile and zircon) is alsosteady in the domestic market.The wet circuit at Chavara Plantis expected to improve the reco-very of minerals such as rutile andzircon. Raw sand availability inthe long term for the mineral sepa-

ration plants at Chavara and Mana-valakurichi has been a cause ofconcern.

Uranium Corporation ofIndia Ltd.

Financial Performance

The income of the Company in-creased to Rs. 10.47 crores in1982-83 from Rs. 9.63 crores in1981-82. Profits for the year be-fore adjustment was Rs. 38.07lakhs. The Corporation's contri-bution to the exchequer is appro-ximately Rs. 57.47 lakhs on ac-count of taxes and duties etc.

Production Performance

Production of uranium concen-trate during the year 1982-83 washighest since the commencementof operations in 1968. The over-all capacity utilisation in terms ofproduction of uranium concen-trate has been 97.7 per cent andthe amount of ore mined and pro-cessed was higher than the pre-vious year. The grade of ore minedalso improved. The capacity uti-lisation of the mine was 83.4 percent and that of the mill in termsof ore processed was 88.1 percent. Comparable figures for theprevious year were 82.4 per centand 85.7 per cent respectively.Uranium mineral concentrate pro-duced at the Surda Uranium Re-covery Plant was 27.5 per centmore than that of the previous yearand production from the RakhaUranium Recovery Plant whichcommenced from February 1983

44

Concentrating table in operation at Uranium Recovery Plant at Hokha.

and from the piiot plant at Mosa-boni was more than double. Pro-duction of magnetite as by-productincreased by about 50 per cent as-compared to the previous year.The production of molybdenumconcentrate was almost the sameas that of previous year while thatof copper concentrate was lessmainly due to lower feed grade.

Expansion Programme

Uranium Recovery Plant from cop-per tailings of Rakha Copper Pro-ject of Hindustan Copper Ltd. wascommissioned for production inFebruary 1983. The project re-port on setting up Uranium Reco-very Plant adjacent to the copperconcentrator of Hindustan CopperLimited at Mosaboni has beenfinalised. The work at BhatinMines Project has been progres-sing satisfactorily and is expectedto be completed in about 3 years.The detailed project report forNarwapahar and Turamdih pro-jects is expected to be ready dur-ing this year. Preliminary actionfor acquisition of land etc. hasalready been initiated.

Facilities for continuous ion-exchange studies were created inthe R & D laboratory with a viewto take up investigations on oresfrom new projects.

Elsctronics Corporation of

India Ltd.

Production and income for theyear 1982-83 reached Rs. 60.47crores and Rs. 58.25 crores res-pectively. The Corporation earn-ed a net profit of Rs. 2.13 crores.The working results of the Corpo-ration for* the year 1983-84 in theareas of production, income andnet profit are expected to beRs. 73.35 crores, Rs. 75.01 croresand RS...2.34 crores respectivelyinspite of more than 20 percent in-crease in wages of all employees.

Participation in Atomic EnergyProgrammes

During 1982-83 the ECIL suppliedRs. 2.05 crores worth of Instru-mentation and Systems to variousnuclear power projects as well as

to FBTR, NFC, BARC and AMD.During the year 1983-84 the Cor-poration propose to supply instru-mentation and systems worthRs. 2.72 crores for nuclear powerprojects and other atomic energyprogrammes. For MAPP Kalpakkamthe Corporation indigenously desi-gned, manufactured and suppliedthe complete Instrumentation andcontrol systems. Conforming tostringent international standards,these systems play a crucial role invarious reactor functions.

For the FBTR some of the supp-lies made so far include instru-mentation systems for steam gene-ration, sodium leak detection aswell as primary and secondaryprocess instrumentation.

Large Computer System-332, MiniComputer Systerns-316 and 8-bitMicro Computer Systems weresupplied to NFC, BARC, PPEDand AMD.

Steady progress in major thrustareas was maintained by ECILduring 1982-83. The productionof System-332, the most powerfulIndian built computer, has stabili-sed. Several orders for System-332 were received and more arein the pipeline.

The Corporation made good pro-gress in computer based controland communication systems suchas Data Acquisition System, Tele-metry and Telesupervisory Sys-tems, Store and Forward TelegraphSystem, Automatic Message Swit-ching, Message RetransmissionSystem etc. The Corporation has

45

also been given a lead role in en- ushering of the Super-16 and M- major role which the Corporationgineering and- supplying Telex 68000 based 16-bit micro compu- will play in supplying antennae,Exchanges. ters into the market, augurs well. satellite receivers, exciters etc.,

In the field of control systems, will pave the way to enter the lowThe outlook for the period 1983-84 the Corporation has already got cost earth station market,is very encouraging for ECIL. The enough orders on hand. The

46

Other Activities

Directorate of Purchase &Stores

During 1983, the work of theDirectorate of Purchase & Storesincreased in all its sphere of acti-vities. The flow of indents in res-pect of Rare Materials Plant,BARC, Kalpakkam Fuel Reproces-sing Plant, BARG, in addition toKakrapar Atomic Power Project,Heavy Water Projects — Manu-guru and Thal-Vaishet increased.The two part tendering system inrespect of major purchases for allprojects and units has been formu-lated and introduced.

During the year 1983-84, the Direc-torate concluded purchase con-tracts for procurement of equip-ment and materials worth Rs. 156crores as against the purchasecontracts worth Rs. 120 croresduring 1982-83. This year too,DPS effected substantial savingsby proficient handling of negotia-tions and securing commercialterms to the best advantage of theDepartment with the suppliers inIndia and abroad.

India once again designated to IAEA's Board of Governors, a grant-in-aid of Rs. 1.3crores provided for nuclear research, a total tonnage of 5000 metric tonnes hand-led by DPS.

During the year 1983, about 6000consignments received by sea,air, parcel post, rail and road werecleared. In addition, 119 trans-portation contracts were conclu-ded. A total tonnage of 5000 MTwas handled.

There was considerable increasein the material handling activitiescompared to previous years. Thetotal number of live items handledduring the year under report.were nearly 4.94 lakhs. The num-ber of stores transactions hand-led by DPS Stores Units by wayof receipts/issues amounted toRs. 10.63 lakhs approximately.The total tonnage of equipment/materials handled was to the ex-tent of nearly 1.72 lakh tonnes.Among the special consignmentshandled were 42 upgrading colu-mns packed departmental^ atTrombay and despatched to RAPPand MAPP, two massive seg-ments of steam generator forFBTR each measuring 7 m widthx 16 m length supplied by BHEL,and 12 over dimensioned consign-

ments weighing a total of 450 ton-nes transported to Narora duringthe year. Construction of theFuelling Machine Head PackingBay was also completed.

Three new Stores Units were es-tabiished at Kakrapar AtomicPower Project, Heavy Water Pro-ject, Manuguru and Rare MaterialsPlant, Mysore. Computerisationof capital items in BARC is alsoproceeding.

Technical Liaison Minion

The Mission at paris continued tofunction with two engineers.Around 2300 communications werereceived from Headquarters andother units of DAE and outsideagencies and nearly 1500 com-munications issued in the form oftechnical notes on products, newproducts data, purchase clarifica-tions, inspection reports, expedi-ting reports on orders abroad.

On behalf of the various units ofDAE, 9 factories of suppliers wereinspected and evaluation reports

47

sent to the units concerned. Theinspection for the first lot of fuelfor Tarapur was carried out bythis Mission. The Mission conti-nued to locate alternative of sup-pliers for replacement items foroperating stations.

Construction andServices Group

The Construction & Services Gro-up of DAE is entrusted with thecivil, electrical and mechanicalworks relating to various projectsof the units and the aided institu-tions of the Department. Its En-gineering Services Division main-tains 4,392 flats and 25 publicbuildings, including execution ofimprovement works of minor capi-tal nature required for these buil-dings. The Division is also res-ponsible for maintaining water andpower supplies and sewage treat-ment plant at the large townshipat Anushaktinagar.

632 flats of different categories atAnushaktinagar were made readyfor occupation during the financialyear 1983-84. A hostel for 200bachelor officers and efficiencyapartments for 306 scienti-sts are being built. Con-struction of 72 flats for theTIFR was completed. Substruc-ture work for 56 flats of AMD' atShillong was also completed.Work on super structure for theseflats and in respect of 56 flats forVEC is in progress. The Groupcompleted detailed engineeringdesign, planning and estimate foradditional 52 flats for AMD atBangalore. Detailed engineering

design and estimates for con-struction of additional houses atAnushaktinagar colony during 6thFive Year Plan were also com-pleted.

Engineering design and estimatesfor DAE's multistoreyed office com-pelx at Anushatinagar were com-pleted.

The Construction and ServicesGroup completed the constructionof balloon launching pad facilityat Hyderabad and handed it overto the users. Construction ofradiological blocks and miscella-neous works at TMC were alsocompleted during the year. De-tailed engineering design, planningand estimates for laboratory buil-dings at Shillong and Bangalorewere completed. Civil work ofElectronic Regional Testing Labo-ratory for the Department of Elec-tronics is nearing completion.Superstructure work of PellestronTower, Beam Hall and laboratorybuilding is progress.

Directorate of EstateManagement

Directorate of Estate Managementlooks affer the management of thelands and buildings owned, leasedand hired by the Department inBombay. About 400 flats werere-alloted during the year.

Financial Assistance

The Department supports researchactivities of universities and otherresearch Institutions in the coun-

try in the field of atomic energyand other related areas. Researchgrants for the selected projects aregiven on the recommendationsof the Board of Research in Nuc-lear Sciences (BRNS). The Boardis assisted by 8 advisory commit-tees in various fields for proces-sing applications for grant-in-aidfor undertaking research projects.Besides giving research grants forspecific projects, grants are alsosanctioned for organizing sympo-sia, conferences etc. The Depart-ment also awards fellowship tothe research scholars throughopen competition for carrying outresearch in different disciplines inthe various institutions and uni-versities in the country.

During the financial year 1983-84a sum of Rs. 13 crores wereprovided as grant-in-aid to uni-versities and various research in-stitutions for supporting 60 newprojects and 145 ongoing projects.During the year, 10 departmentalsymposia with a total budget pro-vision of Rs. 6 lakhs were appro-ved. Financial assistance to thetune of Rs. 6 lakhs was given to48 outside organisations to orga-nise symposia, conferences/work-shops etc. A sum of Rs. 22 lakhshas been provided by the Depart-ment for the award of 100 fellow-ships through open competition totalented students for carrying outresearch in different disciplines invarious universities and institutionsin the country.

The Department receives proposalsfrom universities and research or-ganisations seeking financial sup-

48

port by way of recurring and non-recurring grant for certain specificprojects. These are judged upontheir relevance to the activities ofthe Department. During the cur-rent financial year, a sum of Rs. 22lakhs was sanctioned for this pur-pose. Recipient institutions inclu-ded The Institute of Physics, Bhub-aneswar, Andhra University, Wait-air, and the Hyderabad ScienceSociety.

The department is also providinga substantial grant for the deve-lopment of mathematics in thecountry. This year grants weregiven to the extent of Rs. 17 lakhsto Main-Science, Madras, MehtaResearch Institute, Allahabad, Cal-cutta and Jadhavpur MathematicalAssociation

Management Services'Group

The Management Services Groupwas formally constituted in July1983 by merging the Project Moni-toring Cell, Planning & AnalysisGroup and the Computer Cell atthe Secretariat. It is an inhousemultidisciplinary Group providingstaff support for analysis and dis-semination of management infor-mation to the senior officials atthe Secretariat. This Group con-ducts perspective planning exer-cises on nuclear power, carries outfinancial analysis,- feasibility stu-dies and manpower planning, de-velops computer software, provi-des planning and managementconsultancy services to the De-partment and its units and is in

the process of building up an in-formation base at the Secretariat.The Group also operates a com-prehensive reporting system: (a)to monitor continuously the physi-cal and financial progress of majorprojects under construction asalso the performance of operatingunits, (b) to prepare backgroundpapers for review meetings on alldepartmental units and (c) to ge-nerate exception reports on pro-jects and operating units.These enable the Department toforesee major problems and co-ordinate measures l.\ solving thesame. Some specific assignments

in which the Group contributedduring the year were :

(a) Reviewing the feasibility re-port on IRE's Helium andUranium Recovery Plants andUCIL's expansion of Jadu-guda Mills and MosabaniTailings recovery plant.

(b) Working out the revised com-pensation rates for U3OS.

(c) Conducting a detailed studyof the operations of NFC'sTubes Plant.

(d) Selecting a Computer Systemfor DPS and

(e) Initiating work on the installa-tion of a Computer System atthe Secretariat.

The MSG was also associated withthe functioning of (a) Committeefor Nuclear Power Profile, (b) Com-mittee to recommend QualificationIncentive Schemes, (c) Study Teamto improve EClL's capacity utilisa-tion and (d) Internal WorkingGroup on the I & M Sector for the7th Five Year Plan.

Reservation in Services

Pursuant to the general policy ofthe Government reservation in ser-vices is made in favour of schedul-ed castes, scheduled tribes, phy-sically handicapped persons andex-servicemen.

Reservation in Services forSC/ST candidates

While reservation in services forthe Administrative, Accounts andAuxiliary staff was in force for along time, the orders regardingreservation were made applicableto the scientific and technical per-sonnel with effect from 1975. TheDepartment continues to monitorimplementation of the orders ofreservation in services for SC/STby all its constituent units includ-ing public sector undertakings andaided institutions. As the reserva-tion orders were made applicableto the scientific and technicalCadre from 1975 only, there isbacklog in reservation in the unitsof the Department which is beingcleared progressively. Shortage ofqualified and suitable candidatesfor recruitment against certainposts requiring higher qualifica-tions and experience is being felt.All efforts are being made to at-tract suitable candidates by exclu-sive advertisements etc. Instruc-tions have also been issued to•nabl* the units to recruit SC/STcandidates by extending conces-sions of relaxation in experience,wherever feasible. Units have beeninstructed to make all possibleefforts to recruit and train maximum

49

possible number of SC and STcandidates against reserved posts,so that the back-log could becleared early.

As on 31-12-1983, the Departmenthad in its employment 5556 SCemployees and 1631 ST employeesworking in the various units inclu-ding the public sector undertak-ings and aided institutions underits administrative control.

Reservation in Services for thePhysically Handicapped

During the year, efforts were madeto recruit more physically handi-capped persons in service so asto increase their representation inthe Department, against reservedposts. The total number of physic-ally handicapped persons workingin the Department was 331 as on31-12-1983.

Reservation in favour ofEx-servicemen

Reservation in services in favourof Ex-servicemen is confined toGroup 'C and 'D' categories. Im-plementation of the reservationorders in this regard is beingmonitored regularly and reportedto the Liaison Officer (DirectorateGeneral of Employment and Train-ing) in the Ministry of Labour. Ason 31-12-1983.1171 Ex-servicemenwere employed in this Dept., PSUs& aided institutions under its ad-ministrative control.

Information and Publicity

To disseminate information on the

activities, plans and programmesof DAE, two information periodicalsnamely NUCLEAR INDIA (a Month-ly) and Parmaanu (a Quarterly) areDrought out by the Department in'English and Hindi respectively. In-formation literature, on variousthemes and topics is also publishedfor the information needs of publicat large.

The BARC continued to participatein the International Nuclear Infor-mation System (INIS) of IAEA. Dis-semination of scientific infoma-tioh, translation and interpretationservices from foreign languageswere rendered. The Centre's lib-rary has one of the largest collec-tions of nuclear science and tech-nology literature.

The Publicity Division of the De-partment of Atomic Energy looksafter the publicity and public re-lations activities of the department.During the year under report, thedepartment participated and or-ganised many, exhibitions. Suchas the Caracas (Venezuela) -exhi-bition, the 'Energy and the Man'exhibition at the Trade Fair gro-unds, New Delhi, and the IndiaInternational Trade Fair-83. A Dis-play on Indian vacuum componentswas also set up during the Interna-tional Symposium on Vacuum Tec-hnology in Bombay and to informand educate the layman an exhibi-tion on radiation protection titled'Living with Atomic Radiation'wasarranged at the Nehru Planetarium.

To popularise the activities of thedepartment, films on 'Fission Po-wer-306: a documentary on the

Madras Atomic Power Station UnitI, a short film on "radiation pro-tection' have been produced andscreened through TV and theatres.

Press conferences, and meetingswere organised with leading jour-nalists of the International andNational press crops.

Atomic Energy Education, Society

Constituted in 1969, the AtomicEnergy Education Society (AEES)manages 13 schools and 3 juniorcolleges at Bombay, Tarapur, Hy-derabad, Jaduguda, Narora andKakrapar. There are about 13,500students on the rolls at present.The Schools maintained highstandards of accomplishment inthe Central Board of SecondaryEducation, New Delhi, and Maha-rashtra State Board of Secondaryand Higher Secondary Education,Pune examinations. There were71 distinctions in Class X and A.E.Junior College Bombay broke re-cords of the previous year in passpercentage, distinctions and ranksetc. The students also performedexceedingly well in the competitiveexaminations of national level.The Society is considering settingup of new schools at various pro-ject sites and expanding the exis-ting facilities.

Deputations Abroad

During the year 1983, 240 officersof the Department were sent ondeputations, delegations abroadin connection with meetings, con-ferences, training programmes,

50'

specific assignments and otherofficial work. The total expenditureon these amounted to Rs. 23.59lakhs which included a foreign ex-change component of Rs. 6.14lakhs. In 22 cases, the expenditureon deputation / delegations waswholly or partly borne by foreigngovernments, international oranl-sations and other agencies.

International Relations

For the 27th year in successionsince the inception of the Inter-national Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA) India was once again desig-nated to the Board of Gcvernorsas one of the nine most advancedcountries in the technology of ato-mic energy and including the pro-duction of source materials, un-derscoring her leading status inthis frontier technology.

India continued to offer trainingfacilities, fellowships, scientificvisits, etc. to members of the IAEAunder its technical assistance pro-gramme. Further, India also madeavailable the services of its scien-tists for expert assignments invarious countries under this pro-gramme.

While India continued to be re-presented at various symposia,workshops, international conferen-ces, etc. on subjects of relevanceheld under the auspices of variousUN and other multilateral organi-sations .as also that of the IAEA,the country also hosted someAgency meetings and trainingcourses for the benefit of partici-pating countries- particularly nonaligned'and other developing coun-tries.

Use of Hindi

During the year, a Hindi Cellconsisting of a Hindi Translatorand a Hindi Typist was set up atthe DAE Secretariat in Bombay. AHindi Officer and a Hindi Steno-grapher were appointed in theAMD, a Senior Hindi Translatorwas appointed in the BARC. Thenumber of posts connected withHindi work in DAE and its Unitsand the Public Sector Undertak-ings under its control is : SeniorHindi Officer — 1, Hindi Officers— 6, Senior Hindi Translators —4 and Hindi Assistant/Hindi Tran-slators — 20.

Official Language ImplementationCommittees continued to functionin the Department and its, 15 Unitsand all the three Public SectorUndertakings under its control.These Committees met periodic-ally to review the position regard-ing use of Hindi and to considermeasures to be taken to imple-ment the Official Language policyof the Government.

in service training in Hindi andHindi typewriting was imparted torespectively 144 and 34 employeesof the constituent units of DAE.More than 80 per cent of the staffof RAPS, PPED, Heavy Water Pro-jects, Bombay and Kota and DAESecretariat has acquired workingknowledge of Hindi. While PPED jand Heavy Water Projects, Bom-bay and Kota have been notified /'under Official Languages (use for'

official purposes) of the UnionRules, 1976, the Department ofOfficial Languages has been re-quested to notify DAE Secretariatalso under the said rule.

Action was taken to implementvarious provisions of the OfficialLanguages Act. All gazette notifi-cations, notes and summariessubmitted to the Cabinet, reportsand other documents presentedto various Committees of Parlia-ment, etc. were prepared both inHindi and English. Almost all theforms in use in various units ofthe Department have been trans-lated in Hindi and most of themhave been got printed bilingually.All the letter heads are in biling-ual form. Most of the rubberstamps are also in bilingual formand action is being taken by theunits to get the remaining rubberstamps also prepared in bilingualform. The Department and its unitslocated in Region 'A' (Hindispeaking States and the UnionTerritory of Delhi) issue all thegeneral orders bilingually. Theother units have also been askedto set- up check-points to ensurethat general orders are Issuedboth in English and Hindi. All theletters received in Hindi in theDepartment and its units were re-plied to in Hindi.

Hindi books worth Rs. 3,173.00were purchased by various unitsof the Department for their libra-ries. The Nuclear Fuel Complex,

51'

Hyderabad and the Bhabha Ato-mic Research Centre, Trombayalso organised essay competitionand declamation contents, andHindi noting, drafting and typingcompetitions to popularise the use

of Hindi among their employees.Some talks were also organisedin Hindi at the Bhabha Atomic Re-search Centre on technical andscientific subjects.The Department Drings out a quar-

terly bulletin 'Parmaanu' in Hindi.The RAPS also brings out 'Anu-shakti' a quarterly house journalin Hindi. Information and publicitymaterial In Hindi was also pro-duced.

52

Glossary

ACTIVATION : The process of making amaterial radioactive by bombardment withneutrons, protons or other nuclear particles.

A T O M : A particle of matter indivisible bychemical means. It is the fundamental buildingblock of the chemical element?. The elementssuch as iron, sulphur, uranium etc. differ fromeach other because they contain different kindsof atoms.

ATOMIC ENERGY : NUCLEAR ENERGY :The energy liberated by a nuclear reaction(fission or fusion) or by radioactive decay.

BODY BURDEN : Radioactive material maybe absorbed by the body and retained. Thetotal amount present at any time is said to bethe body burden.

BOILING WATER REACTOR (BWR) :A reactor in which water is used as coolantand moderator and allowed to boil in thecore. Steam is produced directly in the reactorvessel under pressure, and in this state canbe supplied to a turbine, but will be slightlyradioactive.

BREEDER REACTOR : Popularly a nuclearreactor which produces more fissile atomsthan it burns. Strictly the term should beconfined to a nuclear reactor which producesthe same kind of fissile material as it burns,without specifying whether or not there isa net gain of fissile materiel. The new fission-able material is created by capture in fertilematerials of neutrons from fission. The processby which this occurs is known as breading.

B U R N - U P : The fraction or percentage ofatcms in a reactor fuel which has under-gone fission. Also the total amount of heatreleased per unit mass of fuel; usually ex-pressed in megawatt days per tonne (MWD) .

CERAMIC FUEL ELEMENTS : Usually refersto reactor fuel elements fabricated of uraniumdioxide or uranium carbide. They are moreresistant to radiation damage and can beused at higher temperatures.

CLADDING : This term refers to a thinItyer, usually of metal, which covers a solidfuel element in a reactor to prevent corro-sion in the presence of the coolant, and toprevent escape of fissicn products. Alumi-nium or its alloys, stainless steel and zirco-nium alloys are common cladding materials.

CLOUD C H A M B E R : A device in whichthe tracks of charged atomic panicles suchas cosmic rays, alpha particles etc. are dis-played.

CONTROL R O D S : Rods, plates or tubesof steel or aluminium containing boron,cadmium, hafnium or some other strongabsorber of neutrons. They are used to holda reactor at a given power level, or to varythe rate of reaction. By absorbing neutrons,a control rod prevents the neutrons fromcausing further fission.

COOLANT: A liquid or gas which is circulatedthrough or about the core of a reactor tomaintain a low temperature and prevent thefuel from overheating. If the coolant is veryhot, it can be used to give power. Commoncoolants are water, carbon dioxide, liquidsodium and sodium potassium alloy.

C O R E : The central portion of a reactorcontaining the fuel elements and usually themoderator.

CRITICAL: Critical is the term used todescribe the condition in which a chain re-action is being maintained at a constant ratei.e. it is just self-sustaining.

DECONTAMINATION : Removal of radio-active contaminants from surfaces or equipment.

DESALINATION : A process to get watersuitable for drinking and/or agricultural useby removal of salts from sea wator or othersaline waters.

DIFFUSION PLANT: Plant for making ura-nium rich in the 235 isotope. The processis based on the fact that gas atoms or mole-cules with different masses will diffuse througha porous barrier or membrane at different rates.A large gaseous diffusion plant requires anenormous amount of electric power.

FALL O U T : Radioactive dust and othermatter falling back to the earth's surface fromthe atmosphere after a nuclear explosion.

FAST BREEDER REACTOR : A reactor thatoperates with fast neutrons and produces morefissionable material than it consumes.

FAST NEUTRON : Neutron resulting fromfission that has lost relatively little of its energyby collision, etc.; it has energy exceedingapproximately 0 .1 MeV i.e. 100,000 electronvolts and therefore travels at high speeds.

FAST REACTOR : A nuclear reactor in which

most of the fission is caused by neutronsmoving with the high speeds they possessat the time of their birth in fission. Suchreactors contain little or no moderator to slowdown the neutrons from the speeds at whichthey are ejected from fissioning nuclei.

FERTILE MATERIAL: Isotopes capable ofbeing readily transformed into fissionablematerial by the absorption of neutrons, parti-cularly uranium-238 and thorium-232; (some-times called source material). When thesefertile materials capture neutrons, they arepartially converted into fissionable plutonium-239 and uranium-233 respectively.

FILM B A D G E : A piece of masked photo-graphic film worn like a badge by nuclearworkers. It is darkened by nuclear radia-tions, and thus the radiation exposure of thewearer can be checked by inspecting thefilm and comparing the darkening or den-sity, after photographic development, withknown standards,

FISSILE: Capable of undergoing fission;sometimes used to mean capable of fission-ing when hit by a slow neutron, e.g. theisotopes U»«, U«», Pu«", and P u a l arefissile. Sometimes used as a synonym forfissionable.

FISSION : The splitting of a heavy nucleusinto two (or very rarely, more) approxima-tely equal fragments—the fission products.Fission is accompanied by the emission of.neutrons and the release of energy. It canbe spontaneous, or it can be caused by theimpact of a neutron, a fast charged particleor a photon.

FLUX (NEUTRON) : In nucleonics, the pro-duct of the number of panicles per unit volumeand their mean velocity, i.e. it is the numberof neutron passing through one square centi-meter of a given target in one second.

FUEL E L E M E N T : A unit of nuclear fuelfor use in a reacto;—generally uranium—asmetal or oxide, enclosed in a can which mayhave an extended surface area, e.g. fins, toassist heat transfer, for producing energy. Itmay be rod, tube, plate or of any other mech-anical shape.

GENETIC EFFECT OF R A D I A T I O N :Changes in tho reproductive cells in livingmatter produced by absorption of ionizingradiation; effects that can be transferred fromparent to offspring.

53

G A M M A RAYS ( S Y M B O L : y ) : High energyshort-wave length electromagnetic radiation.Gamma rays are essentially similar to X-rays,but usually are more energetic and are nucleaiin origin.

HEALTH PHYSICS : The science concernedwith recognition, evaluation and control ofhealth hazards from ionizing radiation.

HEAVY WATER (SYMBOL : D ,O) : Waterconsisting of molecules in which the hydrogenis replaced by deuterium, or heavy hydrogen.It is present in water as about 1 part in 6,500.It is used as a moderator in reactors because ilslows down neutrons effectively and also hasa low cross section for absorption of neutrons.

HOT LABORATORY : A laboratory de-signed for the safe handling of radioactivematerials.

ION : An atom or molecule that has lostor gained one or more electrons.

IRRADIATION : The exposure of materialsto radiation. In nuclear research, ard in theproduction of isotopes, materials are oftenexposed to neutrons in reactors. Intenseirradiation can alter the physical properties ofsolids—in some cases weakening them (e.g.fuel elements and graphite), but in othershardening them (e.g. some types of plasticsand rubbers). Large doses can be used indus-trially for sterilization.

ISOTOPE : RADIOISOTOPE : Two atomsare Mid to be isotopes if they are of the samechemical element but have different masses.The chemical proptnias of an atom dependalmost entirely on the structure of the systemof orbital electrons moving (bout the nucleusof the atom. The number of orbital electronsis equal to the nuclear charge, the vilue ofwhich is called the atomic number of theatom (and is always an integer). Isotopes areatom* whose nuclei have the same atomicnumber but different masses; this means that,isotopic nuclei contain the same number ofprotons but different numbers of neutrons.

LABELLED C O M P O U N D : A compoundin which one of the atoms is a different isotope,usually radioactive, from that found normally.The path taken by such a compound, whichis said to be labelled' at the point where theunusual isotope is attached, can be readilytraced. A labelled'compound is also called a

'tracerjoilag.-

LOAD FACTOR (AVAILABILITY) : Thepercentage of the maximum possible yearlyusage of an electricity generating plant. An.80% load factor represents full generation for292 days of the 365. It can also be definedas the ratio of the average load carried byan electric power plant or system during aspecific period to its peak load during thatperiod.

LOOP : A circuit, part of which may runinside a reactor, into which materials andengineering components can be put, and thensubjected to radiation under variable condi-tions, e.g. of temperature exposure to coolant,strain, etc. If part of the loop and contentsare placed in a reactor, i! is called an in-pileloop.

M A X I M U M PERMISSIBLE DOSE ( M P D ) :The recommended upper limit for the dosewhich may be received during a specified periodby a person exposed to ionizing radiation overart indefinite period. So far as is known, anormal person so exposed will suffer no harm-

ful effect.

MEGAWATT ( M W ) : A million watts—ora thousand kilowatts, a watt being the unitof power. In MW(e) or MW(Th), the Vsignifies 'electrical' and the Th ' means 'thermalpower' or heat output. MeV : One million(or 10') electron volts.

MODERATOR : The material in a reactorused to reduce the energy, and hence speedof fast neutrons, as far as. possible .withoutcapturing them. Slow neutrons are muchmore likely to causa fission in a Um nucleusthan to be captured in a U " ' nucleus. So,by using a moderator a reactor can be madeto work with fuel containing only a smallproportion of U m e.g. ordinary water, heavy

water, graphite.

MUTATION : A permanent transmissiblechange in characteristics of an offspring fromthose of Its parents.

N E U T R O N : A nuclear particle having noelectric charge and the approximate mass ofa hydrogen nucleus. It is found in the nucleiof atoms. Outside a nucleus, a neutron isradioactive, decaying with a half-life of about13 minute* to give a ' proton, an electronand neutrino. Neutrons sustain the fissionchain reaction in a nuclear reactor.

N U C L E U S : The core of an atom whichmay be said to comprise protons and neu-

trons. It is very small and about 10—"cm indiameter (a millionth of millionth of a cm).The detailed structure of nuclei is not fullyknown. The nucleus contains most of theatom's mass.

PLUTONIUM (SYMBOL : P u ) : The ele-ment No. 34, produced by neutron irradia-tion of U ! M . Its most important isotope isfissionable p!utonium-239, produced by neu- rtron irradiation of uranium-238.

POWER REACTOR : A reactor designed toproduce nuclear power. ,

PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR( P W R ) : A power reactor in which the watercoolant and moderator is kept at a high pressureto prevent it from readily boiling and henceto keep it liquid. This type requires enriched fuel.The water is taken out to a heat exchanger togenerate steam which can run through a tur-bo-alternator to produce electricity. Many powerreactors in the world are of this type.

PULSED REACTOR : A type of researchreactor with which repeated short, intensesurges of power and radiation can be produced.

RADIATION : A term which embraceselectromagnetic waves, in particular X-raysand y-rays (gamma) as well as streams offast moving charged particles (electrons,protons, mesons, etc.) and neutrons of allvelocities, i.e. all the ways in which encsrgy isgiven off by an atom.

RADIATION H A Z A R D : The danger orhazard to living things resulting from thepresence of radiation; usually this refers to - t

the danger to health from exposure to radiation.

RADIOACTIVITY : RADIOACTIVE DE-CAY : The property possessed by some atomsof disintegrating spontaneously with th« emis-sion of a charged particle and/or gamma radia-tion. The rate of . radioactive decay is not 'affected by any normal change of temperature,electric or magnetic fields, or chemistry.

RADIOGRAPHY: A method of examiningsolid objects by passing X- or gamma radiJ-

54!

tion through them by 'photographing (orexamining on a fluorescent screen) the shadowscast. Thus, defects such as cracks, inclusionof sand, gas bubbles or lack of homogeneityin metals can be found.

RADIOISOTOPE: An isotope which isradioactive, i.e. decays or disintegrates spon-taneously, emitting radiation. More than 1300natural and artificial radioisotopes have been

identified.

REACTOR: NUCLEAR REACTOR: ATO-M I C REACTOR : A device in which a fis-sion chain reaction can be initiated, maintainedand controlled. Its essential component is acore with fissionable fuel. It usually hat amoderator, a reflector, shielding and coolantand control mechanisms.

REPROCESSING: The procedure of remov-ing fission products from fuel before re-usingit. One main aim is to remove poisons whichwould absorb and waste neutrons; another isto remove mechanical stresses due to irradia-tion, especially in the case of metallic fuels.

SOMATIC EFFECTS OF RADIATIONS :Effects of radiation limited to exposed in-dividuals as distinguished from genetic effects

which also aPsets subsequent unexposedgenerations.

S W I M M I N G POOL REACTOR/POOLREACTOR : A reactor using water as coolant,reflector and moderator, usually 3 or moremetres deep so that the water is also a shieldfor the core which comprises sets of platessuspended deep into the pool, from above thewater level. Often used for study of shieldingproblems, e.g. for marine reactors. It is usuallyused for research and training. '

T H O R I U M (SYMBOL : T h ) : Element No.90 and atomic weight 232; a naturally radio-active metal, the mineral sources of whichare widely spread over the earth's surface.particularly in monazite beach sands. It canbe converted to uranium-233, an excellentnuclear fuel, by neutron irradiation.

TRANSURANIC ELEMENTS : The arti-.ficial elements No. 93 and higher which haveheavier and more complex nuclei than ura-nium. They can be made by neutron bom-bardment of uranium and are radioactive,e.g. plutoniuin.

TR IT IUM : The radioactive isotope of hydro-gen of mass 3. It is very rare and can be made

by neutron absorption in lithium.

U R A N I U M (SYMBOL : U) : Radioactive ele-ment with the atomic number 92. Naturaluranium contains both the heavier uraniumisotope U n > , which is not a readily fissilematerial, and. is the parent material from whichPlutonium is created, and the lighter isotope ofuranium, U»«, which is the fission material orfuel of most reactors. In 140 parts of naturaluranium, 139 parts are of UM» and one partonly Is U-. Uranium is the basic raw materialfor nuclear energy.

VAN DE GRAAFF GENERATOR (AC-CELERATOR) : An electrostatic generator inwhich a high potential is produced by theaccumulation of electric charge conveyed to aninsulated conductor by a continuously movingbelt. The potential generated is used foraccelerating charged particles. Named alterR.S. Van de Graaff who invented the device in1931.

ZERO-POWER REACTOR : An experi-mental reactor operated at such low powerlevels that a coolant is not needed and littleradioactivity is produced.

.55

Abbreviat ions

AMD — Atomic Minerals Division

AERB — Atomic Energy Regulatory Board

BARC — Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

BHEL — Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited

CAT — Centre for Advance Technology

DAE — Department of Atomic Energy

ops — Directorate of Purchase & Stores

ECIL — Electronics Corporation of India Limited

FBTR — Fast Breeder Test Reactor

HWP — Heavy Water Project

IAEA — International Atomic Energy Agency

IRE — Indian Rare Earths Limited

KAPP — Kakrapar Atomic Power Project

MAPP — Madras Atomic Power Project

MHD — Magneto Hydro-Dynamics

NFC — Nuclear Fuel Complex

NAPP — Narora Atomic Power Project

PPED — Power Projects Engineering Division

PREFRE — Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant

RAPS — Rajasthan Atomic Power Station

RRC — Reactor Research Centre

SINP — Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics

TAPS — Tarapur Atomic Power Station

TIFR — Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

TMC — Tata Memorial Centre

UCIL — Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

VECC — Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre

ZOP — Zirconium Oxide Plant

ZSP — Zirconium Sponge Plant

.56

ORGANISATIONAL CHART

-I Atomic Energy Commission I-

JAECS«cr«t«rUt|

AfciadInstitutions

Centre forAdvanced

TechnologyReactor Research

Centre

Bhabha AtomicResearch Centre

±Tata Instituteof Fundamental

Research

TataMemorial

Centre

Saha Instituteof Nuclear Physics

I Management Services Group

PabkcSactwttadtftabinaa

Atomic MineralsDivision

1

Atomic Energy1 Regulatory Board I

Nuclear FuelComplex

Indian RareEarths Ltd.

ElectronicsCorporationof India Ltd.

UraniumCorporationof India Ltd.

IDirectorate of

Purchase& Stores

Directorateof Estate

Management

Construction &Services Group

GeneralServices

Organisation

Power ProjectsEngineering Division

KakraparAtomicPowerProject

JLTarapurAtomicPowerStation

1Rajasman

AtomicPower

•Station

1MadrasAtomicPowerProject

— I Safety Review Committee I

Heavy WaterProjects

|Baroda| | TuHcorin II Talcherjl Kota II

Atomic EnergyEstablishments

R ft D Units

The BHABHA ATOMIC RESEARCHCENTRE. Trombay. was set up as the AtomicEnergy Establishment Trombay in 1957. andrenamed in 1967. It is the national centrefor research and development work in nuclearenergy and related disciplines. Its facilitiesinclude four research reactors, namely, CIRUS(40 MW). Apsara (1 MW) , ZERLINA (a zeroenergy thermal reactor), and PURNIMA (azero energy fast reactor), a 5 .5 MeV Van deGraaff accelerator, a H-400 computer. aBESM-6 computer. 2 prime computers andvarious special laboratories. A 100 MW thermalreactor is under construction. The Centre alsohas a uranium metal plant, a fuel elementfabrication plant and a plutonium plant. It ha*a number of projects at Vashi, New Bombayand Ttrapur.

The REACTOR RESEARCH CENTRE,at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu, adjacent to theMadras Atomic Power Station, undertakes R ftD work in all aspects of Fast Breeder Reactortechnology. The most important facility in thi*Centre will be the Fast Breeder Test Reactorwhich is under construction.

The CENTRE FOR ADVANCED TECH-NOLOGY at Indore, Madhya Pradesh isbeing set up to spearhead the nationaleffort in research and development inhigh technology fields..

The GAURIBIDANUR SEISMIC STA-TION (of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre),80 kilometres north of Bangalore, was set uptowards the end of 1965 in collaborationwith the U.K. Atomic Energy Authority. Ithelps in the detection and identification ofunderground nuclear explosions, besidesfacilitating seismic research.

The HIGH ALTITUDE RESEARCH LABORA-TORY, Giilmarg. which was set up by theDepartment of Atomic Energy in 1963, providesfacilities for high altitude research to all scienti-fic institutions and universities in the country.

The NUCLEAR RESEARCH LABORA-TORY, Srinagar, is devoted to applied researchin nuclear and radiation physics, with parti-cular emphasis on local problems.

The VARIABLE ENERGY CYCLOTRONCENTRE, Calcutta, of the Bhabha AtomicResearch Centre, provides facilities for advancedwork in nuclear physics, nuclear chemistry,isotope production for medical, agriculture andindustrial purposes, and radiation damagestudies on reactor materials. The VariableEnergy Cyclotron is a national facility.

Power Sector

The ATOMIC MINERALS DIVISION has jtsheadquarters at Hyderabad with five regionalheadquarters in other parts of India. It is

entrusted mainly with research and develop-mental activities pertaining to; radiometric andgeological surveys, exploration, prospectingand development of uranium, thorium, niobium-tantalum, helium and other atomic mineralresources needed for the nuclear power pro-gramme.

The NUCLEAR FUEL COMPLEX at Hyderabadis designed to meet the fuel requirements ofthe nuclear power reactors. It consists of thefollowing plants: (i) Zirconium Oxide Plant,(ii) Zirconium Sponge Plant, (iii) ZircaloyFabrication Plant, (iv) Enriched Uranium OxidePlant, (v) Uranium Oxide Plant, (vi) CeramicFuel Fabrication Plant, (vii) Enriched FuelFabrication Plant, (viii) Special Materials Plant.There is in addition a facility for making com-ponents for the Fast Breeder Test Reactors,a Stainless Steel Seamless Tubes Plant, aBall Bearing Tubes Plant and a TitaniumPilot Plant.

The NANGAL HEAVY WATER PLANTin the Punjab, operated in conjunction withthe Nangal Plant of the Fertilizer Corporation ofIndia, was commissioned in August 1962.

The BARODA HEAVY WATER PLANT basedon the ammonia hydrogen exchange processdeveloped by a French consortium, is linked tothe synthesis gas stream of the Fertilizer Plantat Barotla of the Gujarat Fertilizer Corporator

The KOTA HEAVY WATER PLANT, built bythe Department next to the Rajasthan AtomicPower Station, is based on know-how generatedby BARC.

The TUTICORIN HEAVY WATER PLANT,similar to the Baroda Plant, is linked to theFertilizer Plant of the Southern PetrochemicalIndustries Corporation.

The TALCHER HEAVY WATER PLANT,equipment and know-how for which have comefrom a West German firm, use the synthesisgas stream of the Ammonia Plant set up bythe Fertilizer Corporation of India.

The THAL-VAISHET HEAVY WATER PLANTwill be linked to the Fertilizer Plant of theRashtriya Chemicals & Fertilizers Ltd., whohave the responsibility for the setting up of theplant. It will be based on ammonia hydrogenexchange (mono-thermal) process.

The MANUGURU HEAVY WATER PLANTwill be based on hydrogen sulphide-waterexchange (bithermal) process. Preliminary workhat started and the preparation of detailedProject Report is in hand.

The POWER PROJECTS ENGINEERING DIVI-SION undertakes the design, construction,commiuioning and operation of nuclear powerplants. It is presently running th« Tarapur andthe Rajasthan Atomic Power Stations andconstructing the Madras, the. Narora and theKakrapar Atomic Power Projects.

The TARAPUR ATOMIC POWER STATION.100 kilometres north of Bombay, is the f rat

atomic power station to operate in India. Ithas two Boiling Water type reactors fuelled byenriched uranium with a total output of 420MW of electricity, which is supplied to theStates of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

The RAJASTHAN ATOMIC POWER STA-TION at Rana Pratap Sagar in the State ofRajasthan has two natural uranium-fuelled andheavy water moderated reactor with a totaloutput of 440 MWe. One unit of this Stationhas been in commercial operation sinceDecember 1973 and the second unit sinceApril 1981. ,

The MADRAS ATOMIC POWER PROJECTis under construction at Kalpakkam, about80 Kilometres south of Madras. It has tworeactors of 235 MWe each, similar to theRajasthan reactors. There is no foreign colla- ,,,boration in its construction.

The NARORA ATOMIC POWER PROJECT,Uttar Pradesh, which is under constructionwill consist of two units of 235 MWe each.

The KAKRAPAR ATOMIC POWER PROJECTat Kakrapar in Gujarat on which work hascommenced, will have two reactors of 235MWe each in the first phase.

Industrial Units

The INDIAN RARE EARTHS LIMITED, aGovernment of India Company functioningsince 1950, operates the mineral sands industryin Manavalakurichi and Chavars. and therare earths industry at Alwaye. It also pro-duces thorium products at Trombay on behalfof the Government. The Company is settingup the Orissa Sands Complex (OSCOM)for enhancing production of rare earths minerals.

The ELECTRONICS CORPORATION OFINDIA LIMITED, Hyderabad, set up in April1967 as a spin-off from the Bhabha AtomicResearch Centre, has pioneered the productionof a varied range of sophisticated and preciseelectronic systems, instruments and components,based wholly on indigenous technology.

The URANIUM CORPORATION OF INDIALIMITED, Jaduguda, was formed in October1967. It is responsible for mining and pro-cessing of uranium ore in the country. Atpresent it is producing uranium concentrate »•from the ore mined at Jaduguda. A few newsites will be opened up soon.

Aided Institutions

The TATA INSTITUTE OF FUNDAMENTALRESEARCH, Bombay, was founded in June1945. It is the national centre for nuclearscience and mathematics. It has two schools:the School of Mathematics and the Schoolof Physics (Experimental Physics, TheoreticalPhysics, Astrophysics, Geophysics, ComputerScience, Molecular Biology and W i o -astronomy).

The TATA MEMORIAL CENTRE, Bombay,comprises two institutions: the Tata Memo-

rial Hospital and the Cancer Research Institute.In addition to being one of the foremost can-cer treatment centres in the country, it alsoconducts extensive basic and clinical researchon cancer. The Tata Memorial Hospital is nowa leading centre in Post-Graduate UniversityTraining in Surgery, Pathology, Radiology,Anaesthesiology, Bio-chemistry, etc. The Re-search Institute offers courses leading to M.Sc.

and Ph.D. in basic sciences.

The SAHA INSTITUTE OF NUCLEARPHYSICS, Calcutta, was formally opened inJanuaiy 1950. Its field of research includesNuclear Reactions, Nuclear Spectroscopy,Nuclear and Radiation Chemistry, Solid State

and Molecular Physics, NMR Spectroscopy,NQR Spectroscopy, EPR Spectroscopy, Micro-wave Absorption Spectroscopy, UV/IR Spectro-scopy, Crystallography Structure and Func-tions of Biomolecules, Biophysics, ElectronMicroscopy, Mass Spectrotcopy, Plasma Phy-sics, Instrumentation, Theoretical NuclearPhysics, Particle Physics and Solid StatePhysics.

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: PuMlahed by R. K. Bhatnagar, Publications Officer, Depactment of Atomic Energy, Government oi Indie. 1, Chhatrapati SMvajl MatMPrinted at Pharma Art PacK, and Procaaaad at Evaraat Procaaa Studio. Bombay.

raj Merg, Bombay 400 039 and

ATOMIC ENERGY ESTABLISHMENTS IN INDIA

® SRINAGARZ^GULMARG

Q NANGAL

{§} Nuclear RasMrch Laboratory

/f\ High Altitude Research Laboratory

Q Heavy Water Plant

• I Atomic Power Station

£ Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics

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J|i Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

Bfl Tata Institute ofFundamental Research

NARORA

RANA PRATAP SAGAR

Q KOTA

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ITARAPUR| TROMBAY

CALCUTTA

JADUGUOA #1INDORE

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KALPAKKAM

ALWAYE

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Of com Project

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Unit

Tata Memorial Centre

Electronics Corporation of India Ltd

Nuclear Fuel Complex

Atomic Minerals Division

Seismic Station

Reactor Research Centre

Race Earths Plant

Mineral Sands

Centre For Advanced Technology