The Rig Operations Division (RIOD) coming under Sodium Facilities Group of RD&TG has been working in the areas related to operation of sodium loops since the inception of the centre. RIOD is responsible for safe operation of the experimental sodium facilities in round the clock shifts. Twelve numbers of sodium test facilities are being operated for carrying out R&D activities in support of 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and future FBRs. Around sixty dedicated operation staff are working in round the clock shift in four Engineering halls for the operation of these facilities. The safe operation of sodium test facilities with varied design features for 250,000 h shows the maturity level of sodium technology.
Achievements
Testing of prototype PFBR CSRDM and DSRDM in sodium
Heat transfer and temperature distribution studies on Roof Slab and Control Plug model of PFBR for design of cooling circuit
Testing of Primary Ramp and Primary tilting mechanism of PFBR IFTM
Testing of PFBR In-Vessel Fuel Transfer machine Transfer Arm in sodium
Testing of Integrated Cold trap for future FBRs.
Calibration of PFBR level probes
Calibration of PFBR permanent magnet flow meters.
Testing of Ultrasonic Under Sodium Scanner for PFBR
Performance testing of Transfer arm bearing in sodium.
Performance Testing of Sodium Ionization Detector for PFBR primary sodium system.
Testing of PFBR Eddy Current Flow meters and Core Flow Monitoring Mechanism in sodium.
Testing of different types and sizes of bellows in sodium environment.
Testing of Eddy current type position sensor for PFBR DSRDM.
Sodium aerosol compatibility on inflatable seal rubber material.
Steam Generator (SG) endurance test at rated conditions.
Estimation of SG heat transfer area margin.
Assessment of SG flow instability.
Testing of SG under transient conditions and assessing the performance of thermal baffles.
SG stability map for PFBR operation.
SG leak detection by acoustic method.
Performance testing of 2 MW AHX.
Performance testing of 170 m3/h ALIP and 50 m3/h ALIP of PFBR.
Optimization studies of SG orifices.
Flow Induced Vibration studies of SG tubes.
SG depressurization studies.
Temperature profile of SG with plugged tubes.
Studies for assessing the thinning of SG tubes.
Measurement of axial temperature distribution along the SG tube length.
Self wastage studies on Mod 9 Cr 1 Mo tube specimens at steam leak rates of 10 to 50 mg/s.
Adjacent tube wastage studies on Mod 9 Cr 1 Mo studies with steam leak rate upto 5 g/s.
Wastage studies on 9 Cr 1 Mo Steam tube specimens supplied by CEA, France.
Performance evaluation of FBTR Electro Chemical Hydrogen Meters in sodium system.
Model Cold Trap development studies.
Development & Testing of in-sodium and cover gas hydrogen meters.
Tribological studies using Pin-On disc tribometer and Reciprocating type tribometer.
Creep and fatigue experiments on material specimens.
Carbon transfer behavior and its effect on the mechanical properties of specimens in Monometallic and Bimetallic systems.
Qualification of PFBR sodium leak detectors layout in a sodium facility and sodium leak experiments.
Steady State and transient experiments for evaluating the heat transfer capacity of model Decay Heat Exchanger and Air Heat Exchanger of PFBR SGDHR.
Measurement of air flow distribution in AHX shell side.
Studies on behavior of SGDHR during SCRAM.
Studies on behavior of SGDHR during station blackout.
Thermal Shock testing of DSRDM Electromagnet in sodium.
Support in the manufacture of reactor grade sodium at Heavy Water Plant, Baroda and safe transport of 3.5 tonnes of reactor grade sodium to IGCAR.
Support for sodium fire experiments and fire fighting training for PFBR and operating personnel.
Expertise
Infrastructure/Facilities
4 nos. of Engineering Halls
Sodium Disposal Yard
Sodium Cleaning Area
Sodium Fire Facility [West of Edaiyur bridge]
1:1 full scale testing of reactor components is being carried out in the facilities. The components are of different lengths with a maximum of 23 m. To accommodate this type of lengthy component, building of height upto 48 m is available in RIOD.
