New Nuclear Reactors

Why in news?

• During the last three years and the current year, the Government has accorded administrative approval and financial sanction for construction of twelve (12) nuclear power reactors.

List of new reactors:

• Of these all except Kudankulam consist of indigenous 700 MW Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs).
• Kudankulam will have two (02) units of Light Water Reactors (LWRs) of 1000 MW each set up in cooperation with Russian Federation.

About PHWR and LWR:

• A pressurized heavy-water reactor (PHWR) is a nuclear reactor that uses heavy water (deuterium oxide D2O) as its coolant and neutron moderator.  PHWRs frequently use natural uranium as fuel, but sometimes also use very low enriched uranium.
• The light-water reactor (LWR) is a type of thermal-neutron reactor that uses normal water, as opposed to heavy water, as both its coolant and neutron moderator – furthermore a solid form of fissile elements is used as fuel.

Operational nuclear power plants:

PRELIMS QUESTION

”Mahi Banswara” is the location of an upcoming nuclear power plant located in:
(a)Karnataka
(b)Rajasthan
(c)Maharashtra
(d)Gujarat

Answer to prelims question