The Device Development and Rig Services Division (DD&RSD) is responsible for design and development of electromagnetic devices, instrumentation systems, electrical systems and sodium testing of various devices related to Fast Reactor Technology. This division has developed in-sodium sensors and electronics for sodium level measurement (Continuous Level Probe (CLP) and Discrete Level Probe (DLP)), sodium leak detection (Mutual Inductance type Leak Detector (MILD), Sodium Aerosol Detector (SAD), Extended Spark Plug type Leak Detector (ESPLD), wire type leak detector), Permanent Magnet Flow Meters (PMFM) for sodium flow measurement, etc. The DD&RSD is directly involved in the maintenance and upkeep of mechanical, electrical and instrumentation systems of all the in sodium and hydraulic testing facilities in RDTG for conducting various experiments. It provides supports to erection and commissioning of all mechanical equipments in facilities and Engineering Halls in RDTG. The division is responsible for design, procurement, installation and commissioning of various electrical systems for sodium and hydraulic facilities and for design, erection and commissioning of preheating system for sodium facilities. It is also responsible for the design, development and testing of Annular Linear Induction Pump (ALIP) and Temperature Sensitive Magnetic Switch (TSMS) for PFBR. A sodium submersible ALIP (2 m3/h, 4 kg/cm2) was developed using high temperature insulating material. This ALIP can withstand temperatures up to 600 oC without requiring any external cooling arrangement and has operated for more than 4000 hours in sodium submersible conditions. Significant contribution has been made towards development of under sodium viewing and core mapping technology using ultrasonic technique. The ultrasonic transducers for the Under Sodium Ultra Sonic Scanner (USUSS) of PFBR have been developed and the development of high temperature ultrasonic transducers is in advanced stage for under sodium applications in FBRs. In addition to the design, development and commissioning of Instrumentation and Control systems of new sodium and water facilities, it also provides I&C support to other testing requirements within the group, viz o?= development of microprocessor based electronics, signal processing and analysis, FEA, etc. Necessary support is also provided for the commissioning of sodium instrumentation systems at PFBR and for the commissioning of USUSS for PFBR. This division consists of five sections: Electrical Services Section (ESS), Electromagnetic Design & Analysis (EMDA), Instrumentation Development Section (IDS), Mechanical Services Section (MSS) and Rig Instrumentation Section (RIS) with a total manpower strength of 44.
Achievements
Coordinated the Development of Under Sodium Ultrasonic Scanner to detect protrusion, growth and bowing of fuel subassemblies for PFBR.
Development of high temperature ultrasonic transducer using diffusion bonding technique.
Development and performance evaluation of Permanent Magnet Flow Meters (PMFM).
Sensitivity Analysis of Eddy Current Flow Meter (ECFM)
Development of in-sodium sensors, such as - CLP, DLP, MILD, SAD, ESPLD, etc. for PFBR.
Calibration of around 63 nos. of PFBR level probes in sodium
Design, Development and commissioning of electrical and instrumentation system for SFCT - sodium facility.
Design, analysis, development and functional testing of TSMS in working and Curie Temperature in furnace
Design, analysis, development, testing and commissioning of various electromagnetic pumps. Various types of EM pumps such as DC conduction pump (DCCP)
Design, Development and commissioning of electrical and instrumentation system for Hall-IV water facility.
Development and Performance testing of Electromagnetic pumps
Installation, commissioning and maintenance of various electrical systems for sodium and hydraulic facilities
Electrical and Instrumentation support for Development and commissioning of High temperature Pyro processing Engineering facility.
Upgradation of ECIL make Distributed Digital Control System of SGTF sodium system with improved leak detector electronics and heater control system
Provided I&C support for testing of fuel handling components, such as Transfer arm and Inclined Fuel Transfer Machine.
Experiments to study the performance of SAD in nitrogen environment and ALIP have been designed and developed for PFBR and various experimental sodium facilities.
Expertise
In coordination with MC&MFCG for development of Diffusion bonding technique for development of High temperature ultrasonic transducers for in sodium applications.
External resistance based temperature compensation technique for CLP.
Experimental simulation of probable protruded objects of PFBR in water and algorithm development
Infrastructure/Facilities
6-axis ultrasonic testing facility
Polling set up for bonding of crystals
Above core plenum simulation in 5 m dia water tank with mock up US scanner
