Atomic Power Station Research Articles

Avifauna of Confined Area of Tarapur Atomic Power Station (T.A.P.S.) Colony, Boisar, Palghar District, M.S., India

Birds are very sensitive to environmental changes and used as a bio –indicator. The present study was conducted at confined area of T.A.P.S colony of Boisar from January 2016 to December 2020. During this study period 39 species of birds were recorded which were spread in 10 orders, 26 family and 4 subfamilies. It was found that order Passeriformes was dominating having 12 families with 4 sub family and 19 bird species. Followed by Ciconiformes, Coraciiformes, Choriformes and Columbiformes with 5, 4 and 3 species respectively. This confined area provide the sustainable urban micro-ecosystem. This study will open the new strategy for conservation in the new urban set up.

ENERGY POLICY OF FRANCE UNDER E. MACRON: IMPERATIVES AND CHALLENGES

The article touches the development of the French energy policy in 2017–2022 under the presidency of Emmanuel Macron. The author analyzed the dynamics of the energy mix change during 2017–2021 period in the context of the Energy transition act of 2015 and the plans of the French authorities concerning the management of five main types of the energy sources (atomic power stations, oil, gas, RES and coal). The paper highlights the tasks of E. Macron in this field and main steps of his administration to achieve them, structured into three stages – the first, relatively calm one – the beginning of Macron’s presidential term (2017–2019), the second – the COVID-19 pandmic (2020–2021) and the third – an escalation of the Ukrainian crisis (2022) in the time of Macron’s re-election for a second presidential term. It is shown that the French authorities had to adjust their original plans under the influence of a number of events, especially in the second and third stages. The article concludes that the majority of Macron's election promises in the energy sector were not fulfilled, but French authorities made a number of significant steps aimed at further adjustments to the French energy mix announced by Macron in 2017.

Invalidation of tunnelling attacks in ubiquitous IoT & wireless sensor enviroment using ML methods

Wireless sensors are interconnected are is ubiquitous in nature and provides great advantage are normally constituting perfect communication on wireless networks like infrastructure and Ad Hoc. The wireless connected devices environment can also be created using Internet of Things and also it can be adhoc. These wireless sensors are installed in the military campus to collect information movement of people, sound, capturing pictures of their activities. These kinds of sensors can be used in most secured places, where there is a need of remote monitoring of the security. It can be either used in atomic power stations or military camps. Based on the same, Ad Hoc networks attract great attention because data obstruction is made in communication interval. The communication interval helps to improve the mobile node convenience, node mobility, scalability and network cost. Perhaps, due the overload in data packet transmission, the routing makes the packet blockage between the nodes. Mobile nodes are always roaming around the particular region for supervise the external conditions or surroundings characteristics in order to accumulates the selective information about alive nodes and its communication route. On certain occasions these communication routes are vulnerable to various attacks due to functionality and deployment scenario, especially wormhole attack. This is an Ad Hoc assembling of mobile nodes that can randomly alter their route with respect to the constrained resources such as bandwidth, energy, security and resource discovery. Based on the above resources wormhole nodes create the fraudulent route within the network; the fraudulent route can confuse routing mechanisms which creates the tunnel between nodes. In order to invalidate the wormhole attacks in the route within the network, this research article proposed the “Train and Avoiding” process. The train and avoid process is the machine learning algorithm to find the optimal route where there are no attacks in the route. The process trains the routing to perform network traffic analysis. In addition to this, avoiding process helps to restrict the packets modification as well as fake route creation. Proposed Train and Avoiding based route Selection is used to achieve more prominent reliable routing. It improves PDR, average lifetime of network and minimizes communication issues, and average delay.

Development of a numerical model for sector-average plume gamma dose and its validation with dose rate measurements at Kalpakkam NPP site, India

A Gaussian Plume based simple numerical model, named DIFFUSE is developed to simulate the long-term sector-average plume gamma dose due to radioactive plume released during normal operation of nuclear facilities. DIFFUSE calculates site specific joint frequency distributions of wind speed, wind direction and atmospheric stability using micrometeorological observations. It performs the finite sector-average dose integration for any stack height and gamma energy using Simpson's 1/3rd method with sufficient computational efficiency within the site boundary up to 2 km. Plume dose contribution to the main plume sector from nearest and next nearest side plume sectors is also calculated. DIFFUSE is validated with a 3-month long, starting from February 2021 to April 2021, dose rate observation data during operational releases from 100 m stack of Madras Atomic Power Station, Kalpakkam, India. Meteorological data from onsite 50 m tower and continuous dose rate observation from two sets of Autonomous Gamma Dose Logger (AGDL) detectors, namely n-AGDLs and r-AGDLs, placed in two different configurations along the geometric arcs of wind sectors around the stack are used. Simulated doses are compared with look-up table based dose estimates by Hukkoo et al. (1988). Linear spatial averaging of cumulative AGDL doses on a sector arc is used as measured sector-average dose for model validation. Simulations performed for both n-AGDL and r-AGDL configurations show DIFFUSE estimated doses are ∼37% lower and Hukkoo estimated doses are at least ∼50% lower than the measured doses. Statistical analysis of DIFFUSE simulated doses shows a statistical correlation of R2∼98.3%, slope of the fit ∼1.36 for n-AGDL setup and R2∼75.3%, slope of the fit ∼1.57 for r-AGDL setup. Overall, DIFFUSE produces conservative doses compared to look-up table based doses as required by regulatory bodies.

Effect of temperature changes on antioxidant enzymes and oxidative stress in gastropod Nerita oryzarum collected along India's first Tarapur Atomic Power Plant site

Temperature can be considered as pro-oxidant factor that favor the generation of ROS on the species with lower antioxidant efficiency may leads to affect the level of tolerance. So the basic antioxidant enzyme activity (LPO, CAT, SOD, GPx and GST) of gastropod Nerita oryzarum was evaluated at six stations which located between the thermal effluent discharges points from Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India. The antioxidant enzyme activity was shown that all enzyme at discharge point (SII station) where the maximum temperature of heated effluent released. The average maximum values of enzyme activity recorded for LPO, CAT, SOD, GPx and GST were 1.88 ± 0.12, 1.52 ± 0.14, 22.57 ± 0.89, 1.98 ± 0.2 and 17.22 ± 0.63 respectively. The results were inferred the level water temperature directly proportional to the oxidative stress by ROS generation in Nerita oryzarum. Similar results were observed at laboratory experiment under the condition i.e., Treatment 1 (300C), Treatment 2 (350C), Treatment 3 (400C) and Control (250C). The present prima facie work clearly indicated the physiological response of N. oryzarum with respect to antioxidant enzyme activity against the heated effluent released, which will be useful as baseline information for future research work.

SITE-SPECIFIC DRY AND WET DEPOSITION VELOCITIES USING 7BE AND MASS INTERCEPTION FACTOR FOR VARIOUS TYPES OF PLANT LEAVES AT NARORA SITE, INDIA.

Comprehensive studies were carried out during the period 2016-19 on the estimation of site-specific wet and dry deposition velocities and the mass interception factor for Narora site based on the concentrations of 7Be in air, air deposits, rain water and vegetation samples. Mean wet and dry deposition velocities for Narora site were found to be 1.64E-2 and 1.58E-3ms-1, respectively. Mass interception factors for vegetation found to be 0.34-2.51m2kg-1 dry weight with a mean of 0.97m2kg-1 dry weight. The obtained parameters shall be used for estimation of impact due to radionuclide related to Narora Atomic Power station.

A comprehensive physico-chemical quality and heavy metal health risk assessment study for phreatic water sources in Narora Atomic Power Station region, Narora, India.

An investigation of water quality and heavy metal distribution in the groundwater samples collected from the vicinity of Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS), Narora, India, was conducted for the metals including Cu, Zn, Ni, Co, Cd, Pb, and Fe. A total of 16 water quality parameters were measured for all the groundwater samples, and TDS, TH, Mg2+, Ca2+, F-, and turbidity were found to be on the higher side in comparison to the prescribed limits of Indian standards. Geometrical mean concentrations for these heavy metals were found to be 0.049, 0.213, 0.23, 0.135, 0.017, 0.061, and BDL for Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, Cd, Co, and Ni, respectively. Pb and Cd were more than the permissible limits (0.01mg/L for Pb and 0.003 for Cd) prescribed for safe drinking water while Cu and Fe were exceeding the permissible limits of 0.05mg/L and 0.3mg/L in 32% and 36% samples, respectively. Health risk assessment was done by calculating total hazard quotient (THQ), and the values for all the metals were below the threshold value of 1.0 beyond which they may pose a significant risk.

NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIONUCLIDE 40K BODY CONTENT OF KAKRAPAR GUJARAT SITE POPULATION

An attempt was made to investigate the naturally occurring radionuclide 40K body content of the Kakrapar Gujarat Site (India) population by using whole-body counting method. The population comprises occupational workers (regular and contract personnel working at Kakrapar Atomic Power station) and students from various educational institutions. A total of 1056 subjects of different age groups and gender were monitored for 40K body content by using a Standfast-II Whole Body Counting System. The reactor released radionuclides such as 137Cs, 60Co and 131I are not detected in occupational workers of Kakrapar Atomic Power station which indicates that occupational workers are free from radioactive contamination. Based on the activity measurement, an effective dose due to 40K was estimated for different groups of the site population based on the dietary habits, sex and age. Statistical significant correlation was not observed in any of the groups. The annual effective dose due to 40K was found to be in the range of 52-243μSvy-1 with an average of 133±35μSvy-1 for the vegetarian group (588 subjects), 60-223μSvy-1 with an average of 136±35μSvy-1 for the non-vegetarian group (468 subjects), 52-243μSvy-1 with an average of 134±35μSvy-1 for the male group (1007 subjects) and 67-203μSvy-1 with an average of 128±35μSvy-1 for the female group (49 subjects), respectively. Among the four age groups of the population studied, an effective dose due to 40K is slightly higher in the age group of 20-29 (161 subjects). The annual effective dose due to 40K reported by UNSCEAR, 1982(3) is 180μSvy-1.

CONSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCHES ON THE HELIUM IONS LINEAR ACCELERATOR

The basic parameters of an irradiation and their registration system for constructional materials irradiated on the helium ions linear accelerator are resulted. Experimental techniques and some researches results of the microscopic, electrophysical, frictional and ultrasonic characteristics of atomic power stations (APS) and fusion reactors (FR) constructional materials irradiated on a linear accelerator of the helium ions with energies 0.12 and 4 MeV are presented.

Validation of a modified FLEXPART model for short-range radiological dispersion and dose assessments in ONERS Decision Support System

Online Nuclear Emergency Response System (ONERS) is a GIS based Decision Support System developed for the management of Off-Site Nuclear Emergencies at Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) sites in India. As part of this development, the FLEXPART model is modified to compute atmospheric dispersion using observations from the local meteorological tower for the estimation of concentration and radiological dose over short-range range in realtime. In this work, the modified FLEXPART is validated for dose assessments using gamma dose rate measurements by Autonomous Gamma Dose Loggers installed around the Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) of Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) at Kalpakkam site in southeast India. The plume exposure dose is computed in two pathways i) cloudshine dose by incorporating a point kernel algorithm ii) submersion dose by semi-infinite plume method using FLEXPART. Comparison of model estimates with detector data for the 8-day period (01–08 December 2017) covering various atmospheric conditions indicates that the simulated cloud gamma dose rate is in good agreement with observed dose under stable, neutral, and unstable conditions with a coefficient of determination of 0.66, 0.73 and 0.49 respectively. The overestimation of dose under unstable conditions could be due to underestimation of mixed layer height (h) and convective velocity scale (w*) computed using the local similarity approach while using tower data, which needs further insights for improvements.

Long-term trends in gamma radiation monitoring at the multi-facility nuclear site, Kalpakkam, South-India

In this work, the analysis of the long-term environmental radiation monitoring data collected within the Department of Atomic Energy site, Kalpakkam using gamma monitors such as GammaTRACERS (GTs) from 2013 to 2018 and Autonomous Gamma Dose Loggers (AGDLs) located in the site boundary at distances from 1.25 to 2.5 km from 2016 to 2018 are presented with respect to dose variation in different locations/wind sectors/seasons. The average background dose rates are in the range of 140–220 nGy/h except at a location (GT2) where a dose rate of 400 ± 20 nGy/h is found. It is observed that the detectors generally measure the normal background doses and at times slightly higher doses (above background) due to exposure to 41Ar plume during normal operations from Madras Atomic Power Stations. The monitors were categorized into four groups: Group 1 to Group 4. Dose rates higher than normal were observed in Group 1 detectors during winter and North-east monsoon seasons and in Group 3 and Group 4 detectors during summer and South-west monsoon seasons and during January to March months in Group 2 detectors. The gamma dose rates during 41Ar plume transit vary in the range of 600–900 nGy/h. The cumulative annual effective doses at the site boundary, analyzed from 2016 to 2018, due to normal operational releases varied from 11 μSv to 114 μSv in different sectors which is significantly lower compared to annual dose limit (1000 μSv) for public.

Exemplifying an archetypal thorium-EPS complexation by novel thoriotolerant Providencia thoriotolerans AM3

It is the acquisition of unique traits that adds to the enigma of microbial capabilities to carry out extraordinary processes. One such ecosystem is the soil exposed to radionuclides, in the vicinity of atomic power stations. With the aim to study thorium (Th) tolerance in the indigenous bacteria of such soil, the bacteria were isolated and screened for maximum thorium tolerance. Out of all, only one strain AM3, found to tolerate extraordinary levels of Th (1500 mg L−1), was identified to be belonging to genus Providencia and showed maximum genetic similarity with the type strain P. vermicola OP1T. This is the first report suggesting any bacteria to tolerate such high Th and we propose to term such microbes as ‘thoriotolerant’. The medium composition for cultivating AM3 was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM) which also led to an improvement in its Th-tolerance capabilities by 23%. AM3 was found to be a good producer of EPS and hence one component study was also employed for its optimization. Moreover, the EPS produced by the strain showed interaction with Th, which was deduced by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

Critical Solution to Power Grid Problems Using Smart Grid –A Case Study on Karnataka Power Transmission Control Limited (KPTCL)

Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL) is a power distribution and transportation company in Karnataka state established in the year of 1999 under the company act 1956. Now it is one of the big government sector company owned by government of Karnataka with 1000 cores of share capital. Karnataka Electric Board (KEB) is the parent body of KPTCL, until 2002 KEB did all the functions such as distribution and transmission of electric power throughout the state. After that it was divided in to distribution and Transmission Company called KPTCL and power generating company known as Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL). The ultimate goal of KPTCL is to provide uninterrupted power supply to all customers in state of Karnataka with minimum distribution and transmission cost and lowest unit price. KPTCL purchases power from KPCL for fixed rate under the Karnataka regulation act. KPCL contains several power generation projects which include different types such as hydraulic power, thermal power, wind power, etc. KPTCL also purchases power from power stations such as National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and Atomic power stations like Kalpakkam and Kaiga which is owned by central government. Power generation is not a big deal for any state government but real challenge is to transmission of uninterrupted power and distribution of power to different parts of the state using power grid. So there should be proper data analysis in the entire grid and all transmission station throughout the state in order to identify the loop holes, actual capacity, requirement, request from consumers, and also to identify any damages. The ultimate solution for all this is introduction of smart grid concept in power grid. In this paper I reviewed about operational and technical structure of the KPTCL and factors to be considered while performing data analytics in power grid and adoption of smart grid concept over traditional grid using SCADA technology to perform data analytics and finally listed out some improvements in overall functioning of KPTCL after implementation of smart grid.

Exploring Gender Perceptions of Nuclear Energy in India

There are numerous studies that have examined the role of gender on differential perceptions on various aspects of energy, including those related to nuclear plants. Yet, few studies have explored the role of changing perceptions and the interaction of conditional factors in shaping the gendered effects, especially from a developing country. This enquiry is critical for the administrative state to understand targeted policy prescriptions. This paper examines the differences in perceptions and related reactions of both men and women living in the vicinity of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station in the Indian state of Gujarat. Although women’s disproportionate sensitivity to and lower tolerance of risks is embedded in the broad cultural milieu, the presence of the nuclear plant in their vicinity was not perceived as a larger risk than the possible flooding from the nearby dam or losing livelihood opportunities due to dwindling returns from agriculture. This study challenges the gendered binary thinking in nuclear energy domain in terms of engagement and administration of nuclear energy projects.

ПІДВИЩЕННЯ ЕФЕКТИВНОСТІ РОБОТИ СИСТЕМ НИЗЬКОПОТЕНЦІЙНОГО КОМПЛЕКСУ ЕЛЕКТРОСТАНЦІЙ ШЛЯХОМ ОПТИМАЛЬНОГО КЕРУВАННЯ ВИТРАТОЮ ЦИРКУЛЯЦІЙНОЇ ВОДИ

Purpose. In article is organized analysis of the influence state of working circulation pump on economy of the systems low-potential complex and on the general economy of the work heat and atomic power stations. The organized analysis of the field-performance data of the systems low-potential complex Zaporozhskoy NPS in cut of the year, which has shown that as criterion to economy of the work low-potential complex can be accepted importance of the increase the production to powers of the compartment of steam turbine to power stations. Methodology. On the grounds of mathematical modeling main dependencies, which characterize efficiency of the functioning the systems low-potential complex. Results. The certain reserve energysave at increasing of efficiency of the functioning the systems low-potential complex. So total value of the losses to disposable energy in low-potential complex for energyblock HPS power 300–1200 MWt forms 7–8 % for systems of the water-supply with water-chiller and evaporation and 8–10 % for systems with radiator are determined. The organized analysis of the experimental features energyblock 300 MWt Zmievskoy HPS and is determined dependency of the pressure pair is in capacitor from the temperature circulation water and consumption pair under fixed consumption circulation water. Analytical dependencies, which allow coming from the known importance of the consumption pair, the temperature circulation water and desired pressure in capacitor to define the necessary consumption cooling water, under which will are provided given parameters are brought. Practical value. Comparative feature to energy efficiency of the functioning the system turbine-capacitor coming from features gain powers of the turbine for concrete consumption pair and dependencies of the consumption circulation water from consumed powers circulation pump will built. The broughted model of management system low-potential complex on criterion of the optimum of the consumption circulation water, under which total losses to energy will be minimum. On the grounds of afore-cited theoretical position

First Report on Marine Actinobacterial Diversity around Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), India

First Report on Marine Actinobacterial Diversity around Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), India

Seismic study and spatial observations of a & b – values for the different earthquake hazard zones of India

This paper study the recent seismicity in Earthquake hazard zones in India. A large historical earthquake event catalog to cover the period of 1900-2018, the parameters date, time, latitude, longitude, depth and magnitude has been used to calculating frequency-magnitude distribution (b-value) of seismic hazard zones in India. To convert different magnitude scales into a single moment magnitude scale, the general orthogonal regression relation is used. Gamma distribution used for variable corrections also de-clustering method has used for removal of any non-Poisson distribution. The Indian seismic hazard zones are divided into five major seismic sources zones. The seismicity is characterized by Gutenberg-Richter relation. The parameter ‘b’ of FMD and relationship have been determined for these five seismic zones having different vulnerability environment. The ‘b’ values ranges between 0.43 to 1.16. The difference between the b parameters and seismic hazard level from seismic zones II to V considered for the study of high seismo-tectonic complexity and crustal heterogeneity, the parameter ‘a’ value changes accordingly the seismicity of the regions. The lowest b-values found in seismic zone II. The highest FMD b-value has been found in the seismic zone IV. Such high seismicity b-values may be associated with high heterogeneity. In this high b-value predict the low strength in the crust as well as seismic instabilities of that zone. These observations recommend not suggesting the location of important projects like atomic power stations, hydroelectric power stations, neutrino observatory projects, satellite town projects.

Probabilistic seismic hazard assessment for some parts of the Indo-Gangetic plains, India

Indo-Gangetic plains are seismically most vulnerable due to the proximity of adjacent great Himalayan earthquakes and thick alluvium deposits of the Ganga River system. As the urbanization on this plain is increasing, there is a need to quantify seismic hazard in the Indo-Gangetic plains (IGPs). IGP also includes major cities with high population density. A probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) plays an essential role in ensuring the safety of buildings, bridges and nuclear power stations. A seismic hazard analysis (SHA) was performed deterministically for most of the atomic power stations in India. An attempt has been made to perform PSHA of the part of Indo-Gangetic plains around Narora nuclear power plant (NNPP), accounting for a wide variety of uncertainties associated with SHA. Geological and tectonic features, as well as seismicity distribution around NNPP, are studied in detail, and four source zones are identified according to the geology, seismotectonics and diffuse seismicity. Mmax values for all the source zones based on 300-km distance around NNPP are 7.61 ± 0.54 for Himalaya zone (Zone 1), 6.12 ± 0.54 for Indo-Gangetic Peninsular India (IGPI) East zone (Zone 2), 6.29 ± 0.54 for IGPI Central zone (Zone 3) and 6.38 ± 0.64 for IGPI West zone (Zone 4). The b-value and return period of earthquakes in these zones are also estimated using Kijko–Sellevoll–Bayes model. The hazard curve for peak ground acceleration (PGA) and pseudo-spectral acceleration (PSA) at 0.2 s for the study region is obtained. Hazard map shows a PGA value of 0.0294 g for 100-year return period, 0.0616 g for 475-year return period design-based earthquakes, 0.1033 g for 2475-year return period maximum considered earthquakes, 0.1508 g for 10K-year return period and 0.2598 g for 100K-year return period level at PGA considering all source zones. Similarly, the hazard curve and maps for PSA at 0.2 s are also plotted. According to seismic zonation map of India, most of the study area lies in Zone 4, and the PGA values reported in seismic zonation map and Global Seismic Hazard Analysis Program for the study area range from 0.3 to 0.4 g. The obtained PGA values denote the maximum expected PGA at bedrock level in the study area.

Validation of a method for measurement of 14C in air and its application for estimation of 14C levels around Tarapur nuclear site

A method for the determination of 14C in air was validated with 4 N NaOH solution as absorbent medium. The chemical yield of the whole analytical process of precipitation of BaCO3 and re-absorption of released CO2 on acidification was determined by 14C spike experiments. A mean analytical recovery of 84.2% with a standard deviation of 7.21% was achieved. The propagated relative uncertainty of the method was 11.9%. The application of the method for routine monitoring around a nuclear facility was demonstrated through extensive air sampling in the vicinity of Tarapur Atomic Power Station, India. The 14C specific activity ranged between < 0.25 and 0.39 Bq g−1 C with a 5 year mean of 0.28 Bq g−1 C.

Characterization of novel thorium tolerant Ochrobactrum intermedium AM7 in consort with assessing its EPS-Thorium binding

Currently, radioactive waste is disposed primarily by burial in a deep geological repository. Microorganisms thriving in such contaminated environment show tolerance to radionuclides. In the present study the bacterial flora, from soil sample collected from an area around atomic power station exposed to radionuclides and heavy metals, was cultivated and assessed for thorium (Th) tolerance. Of all the isolates, strain AM7 identified as O. intermedium was selected since it could thrive at high levels of Th (1000 mg L−1). AM7 was characterized physico-chemically and its culture medium was optimized using central composite design of response surface methodology for assessing its growth properties in presence of Th. The strain also showed exceptional exopolysaccharide (EPS) production and its yield was further analyzed using one factor study to investigate the influence of each medium component. On supplementing the EPS medium with Th, no significant decrease in yield was observed. FTIR spectroscopy revealed the functional groups of EPS involved in EPS-Th binding. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report showing exceptional Th-tolerance by any bacteria. Such study will help other researchers to strategize an environment-friendly way of radwaste disposal.