Core catcher, a key element of N-plant safety system, installed in Kudankulam unit 5
NEW DELHI: The unit-5 of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant being constructed in Tamil Nadu under the Russian WWER-1000 reactor-type NPP design saw the first component of the nuclear reactor core melt localisation device installed in the design position. This device is an essential part of the radioactive prevention system ensuring the safety of beyond-design-basis accidents.
The core catcher installed on supports under the reactor vessel is made as a globe-bottom container that weighs more than 156 metric tonnes. The total weight of the entire device exceeds 800 metric tonnes. Apart from a casing, the main CMLD components include cartridge units filled with special non-metallic materials, maintenance platform, cantilever truss and bottom plate.
