Part of: GS Prelims and GS Mains III- Energy, Infrastructure, Science & Technology
In News
Moscow-based Rosatom State Corporation installed a core melt localisation device (CMLD) or “core catcher” at Unit 3 of Tamil Nadu’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNPP).
The device is designed to localise and cool the molten core material in case of a meltdown accident.
Such an accident occurs when the nuclear fission reaction taking place inside a reactor is not sufficiently cooled, and the buildup of heat causes fuel rods to melt down
In 2011, the device was first installed at the Tianwan nuclear power plant in China, which is of Russian design
In 2018, a 200-tonne core catcher is being installed Rooppur 1 Nuclear Power Plant in Bangladesh (India-Russia collaboration which goes into operation in 2023)
