Karachi Nuclear Power Complex

Coordinates: 24°50′49.8″N 66°47′17.7″E / 24.847167°N 66.788250°E / 24.847167; 66.788250
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Karachi Nuclear Power Plant
Map
Official nameKarachi Nuclear Power Complex
CountryPakistan
LocationParadise Point, Karachi, Sindh
Coordinates24°50′49.8″N 66°47′17.7″E / 24.847167°N 66.788250°E / 24.847167; 66.788250
StatusOperational
Construction beganK1: 1 August 1966
K2: 26 November 2013
K3: 26 November 2013
Commission dateK1: 28 November 1972
Construction costK1: $ 57.3Mn (1966)
K2 and K3: $ 9.5Bn (2013)
Owner(s)Nuclear Regulatory Authority
Operator(s)Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission
Nuclear power station
Reactors3
Reactor typeK1: CANDU
K2: PWHR-4
K3: ACP1000
Reactor supplierGE Canada (till 1976)
Nuclear Power Fuel Complex
China Nuclear Power Corp.
Cooling towers3
Cooling sourceArabian sea
Thermal capacity337 MW
Power generation
Units operational1 x 137 MWe
Units planned2 x 8800 MWe
Units under const.2
Nameplate capacityK1: 137 MWe
K2: 1,100 MWe
K3: 1,100 MWe
Capacity factor70.1 % (lifetime in 1973–79): 145 [1]
55.7 % (2012)[2]
Annual net output8800 MWe
Storage capacity3.89 GW·h (2019)
External links
WebsiteKarachi Nuclear Power Plant
[edit on Wikidata]

The Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (or KANUPP) is a large commercial nuclear power plant located at the Paradise Point in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan.[1] Officially known as Karachi Nuclear Power Complex[1], the power generation site is composed of three commercial nuclear power plants with two plants under construction with the financing and investment provided by China.[3]

The nuclear power plant has a distinction of being the first commercial nuclear plant in the Muslim world.[4]

After a lengthy and complicated negotiations with Canada, the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant was constructed by Canadian firms in 1965 and it went critical on November 1972. The power station is subjected to regular IAEA monitoring, and is undergoing expansion with two nuclear power plants financed and funded by both IAEA and China.[3]

History

In 1960, Abdus Salam, then-science adviser to Ayub administration, provided a strong advocacy for the industrial usage of the nuclear power in his country at the UN General Assembly, paving away a path for the establishment of the nuclear power plant.: 32 [5] Despite the strong opposition from the officials in the Ayub administration, it was the personal efforts of Abdus Salam who had the funding and financing of the nuclear power plant approved from President Ayub Khan.: 32–33 [5] In 1963, the Government of Pakistan commissioned the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) to conduct the survey for the nuclear power plant which selected the Paradise Point and Hawke's Bay as the ideal locations— the GSP selected Paradise Point for the location.: 79 [6] Negotiations and talks took place with Canada over the supply of the nuclear power plant in Karachi and the contract was signed with General Electric Canada as the designer and the Montreal Engineering Company as its civil engineering firm in 1965.: 141–142 [1]

The nuclear power plant was designed jointly by the engineers of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and the Canada's General Electric to provide distinction and difference from the India's nuclear power plants such as CIRUS and Dhruva reactors that uses the same CANDU technology.[7] The decision-making factor of sell of CANDU technology to Pakistan was seen as providing a balance between India and Pakistan by Canada that was taken under consideration.: 80 [8] In 1966, the civil engineering and construction started Montreal Engineering Co. which finished its construction in 1971.: 143 [1] The nuclear power plant attained criticality on 1 August 1971, and commenced on producing full power generation on 2 October 1972.: 141 [1]

On 28 November 1972, President Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, accompanied by Abdus Salam and Munir Ahmad Khan, inaugurated the Karachi Nuclear Plant when it was connected with the power system of K-Electric, an energy supply utility based in Karachi.[9]

Initially, Canada, through its contractor GE Canada, supplied the deuterium oxide moderator and the natural uranium fuel but it wanted to eject from supporting the operations of the plant after 1974 when India exploded the nuclear bomb whose fissile material was produced in CIRUS reactor initially supplied by Canada.: 27 [10][11] In 1975, the GE Canada begin to charge Pakistan $27/lb for deuterium oxide which was expensive for the country to afford.[7]

With Pakistan's refusal of becoming the party of the Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NPT), the GE Canada halted to sell of imported spare parts, natural uranium, heavy water, and technical support for the nuclear power plant, raising fears of Karachi going under a blackout phase.: 141 [1] With Canadian technicians leaving the city exposed of radioactive material while estimating that the nuclear plant would shut down in six months, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission was able to worked on producing deuterium oxide at lesser price, and set up the machine shop to manufacture its machinery near nuclear power plant with the assistance from Karachi University.[7]

Since 1979, the deuterium oxide and heavy water is locally and indigenously produced by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission that kept the plant running its grid operations.[11] Many of spare parts and machine components were locally designed that kept the nuclear power plant running its operation in safe manner– the valuable experience gained was shared to Chinese officials in designing the reactor safety protocols and eventually helped run the Chashma Nuclear Power Plant in 1993.[7]

After intense negotiations and with the IAEA's cooperation in May 1990, Canadian policy towards Karachi Nuclear Power Plant was revised allowing it to provide assistance for Safe Operation of KANUPP (SOK) through the IAEA and only for the IAEA suggested remedial actions.[7] In 2015 and 2016, China showed great interest in expanding the power generation site and signed an agreement to design the two nuclear power plants with the start of commercial operations scheduled for 2021 and 2022 respectively.[3] Reactor units will have a design life of 60 years and account for approximately 10% of the country’s total generation capacity.[3] As of 31 December 2017, the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant has generated 14.2 billion kWhr of electricity and been fueled by thousands of Pakistan-made fuel bundles without any failure.[12]

Reactor technology

KANUPP-1

The first unit at the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant is a CANDU reactor that is a pressurized heavy-water reactor (PHWR) that utilized the deuterium oxide (heavy water) moderator and its use of (originally, natural) uranium fuel. The reactor consists of a tubed calandria vessel of austenitic stainless steel, which contains the heavy water moderator/reflector and 208 coolant tube assemblies. The moderator system consists of the calandria, coolers, pumps and purification system in the heavy water circuit, and control valves, dump valves and helium blowers in the helium circuit. The fuel is natural uranium in the form of sintered uranium dioxide pellets sheathed in thin zirconium alloy tubes to form solid fuel elements about 19.1 inches (48.53 cm) long by 0.6 inches (1.4 cm) diameter.

In 2010, a Multi-effect distillation (MED) was connected to Karachi Nuclear Power Plant that can produce 1600 m3/g of potable water.: 27 [13] In addition, a Reverse osmosis plant is also coupled with the nuclear power plant that is producing 454 m3/g of water for reactor usage.: 27 [13]

KANUPP-2 and 3

KANUPP-2 and 3 will cost $9.5 billion and each unit will produce 1,100 MW and total of 2,200 MW.[14][15][16] On 26 November 2013, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ceremonially broke ground on a new governmental power project at the Karachi Nuclear Power Complex for the construction of two ACP1000 (Hualong One) nuclear reactors,.[17][18] Dr. Ansar Pervaiz, the Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, said that KANUPP-2 would begin commercial operations by 2019[19][20][21][22] and KANUPP-3 by 2020.[17] The reactor design has been upgraded to the Hualong One, a development of the ACP1000, with commercial operation now planned for 2021 and 2022.[23] China Zhongyuan Engineering Corporation (CZEC) is the EPC for the K2/K3 project.

KANUPP-4

KANUPP-4 is a planned commercial nuclear power plant, to be located at Karachi.

Energy management

Electricity connections

Stand-alone 132 kV current transformers have been provided for protection and metering functions as substitute for the bushing current transformers in the bulk oil circuit breakers. KNPC and NESPAK engineers worked closely in devising a discriminative protection scheme and its integration into the complex systems of the nuclear power plant. Both circuits of KANUPP-Baldia double circuit lines have been re-energised with the new equipment. Performance indicators have since validated the intended objectives of the project vis-a-vis discriminative functioning of the protection system against disturbances in KESC power system for stable operation of KANUPP.

When complete, the complex of civilian nuclear power plants will produce over 2000 MW of electricity. The International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards and inspects the complex. The plant is under construction by the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and is financed by the IAEA, the China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group, the China National Nuclear Corporation, and the China Atomic Energy Authority.

Energy Capacity

The gross plant rating is 137 MWe and the corresponding net output is 125 MWe. The Nuclear Reactor Building contains the entire reactor system and auxiliaries, and consists of a pre-stressed concrete cylindrical wall, a hemispherical segmental dome of pre-stressed concrete, and a concrete base slab. The Turbine Building houses the turbine-generator and auxiliaries, water processing equipment, electrical distribution equipment, and the control room. The building is a reinforced concrete frame and block structure.

KESC and NESPAK cooperation

The National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) has been providing consultancy services to the Karachi Nuclear Power Complex for the replacement of the aging circuit breakers and protective relays of the 132 kV double circuit transmission line that links the complex with the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation network at Baldia grid station. The old bulk oil circuit breakers and electromechanical protective relays have been replaced with the latest SF6 circuit breakers and modern numerical line protection devices.

Future

KANUPP came into commercial operation in 1972 and after completing its 30 years of design life was shut down on 6 December 2002. The plant resumed operations in 2006. At present[when?] the plant is undergoing several safety upgrades for operation beyond design life. On the request of KANUPP, the Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority allowed the plant to operate at 80 MW for the interim period. The PAEC has denied any media reports of shutting down the nuclear power plant, however, on 30 June 2009, a senior official of PAEC stated that the KANUPP would be decommissioned in 2012; the reactor was operating as of December 2018. The KANUPP-II, an indigenous nuclear power plant build by PAEC, will be taking the place of the KANUPP-I. In November 2013, Pakistan and China confirmed that two ACP1000 Nuclear reactors, KANUPP-2 and KANUPP-3, will be built at Karachi.[17]

Leakage

On 18 October 2011 the KANUPP Karachi nuclear power plant imposed a seven-hour emergency after heavy water leaked from a feeder pipe to the reactor.[24] The leakage started around midnight on Tuesday during a routine maintenance shut down.[24] After the leakage was detected a state of emergency was imposed at the plant and the affected area was isolated. The emergency was lifted seven hours later, after the leak was reportedly brought under control.[24]

Nuclear Engineering Training Center

The Karachi Nuclear Power Complex also contains a nuclear engineering college. KANUPP's Institute of Nuclear Power Engineering (KINPOE) is controlled by PAEC. KINPOE offers two-year master program in nuclear engineering accredited by Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) and PDTP.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Hussain, S.B. (1996). "Karachi Nuclear Power Plant -- A Review of Performance, Problems, and Upgrades" (PDF). www.inis.iaea.org. Karachi, Sind. Pakistan: IAEA publications. p. 17. Retrieved 15 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ )"Pakistan's Karachi nuclear power plant 'back in operation,'" BBC Worldwide Monitoring – South Asia, 4 December 2006; Pakistan
  3. ^ a b c d "Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) Expansion, Pakistan". Power Technology | Energy News and Market Analysis. Power Technology. Retrieved 15 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Yusuf, S. Irfan Ali (1981). "Nuclear Energy in the Muslim World" (html). Pakistan Horizon. 34 (1). Islamabad: Pakistan Institute of International Affairs: 59–73. 41393645. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  5. ^ a b Riazuddin (2005). "Contribution of Professor Abdus Salam as Technical Member of Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC)" (PDF). The Nucleus. 42 (1–2). Islamabad: Professor Riazuddin, emeritus scientist at the National Center for Nuclear Physics, and a professor of theoretical physics at the Institute of Physics of the Quaid-i-Azam University.: 31–34. ISSN 0029-5698. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 June 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2014.
  6. ^ others, Embassy officials (1970). "(§ Atomic Energy in Pakistan)". Pakistan Affairs (googlebooks). Information Division, Embassy of Pakistan. p. 200. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  7. ^ a b c d e Shabbir, Usman (5 July 2004). "Remembering Unsung Heroes: Munir Ahmad Khan" (html). www.defencejournal.com. Defense Journal. Retrieved 15 August 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ Pigott, Peter (2007). Canada in Afghanistan: The War So Far (googlebooks). Toronto, Ont.: Dundurn. p. 227. ISBN 978-1-4597-1239-3. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  9. ^ Prime minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto with Abdus Salam and Munir Ahmad Khan (1971). Pakistan - PAEC Chairman & Z.A Bhutto inauguration of KANUPP nuclear plant (TV-Medium). Karachi, Sindh Province, Pakistan: Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and Pakistan Military Consortium (PMC).
  10. ^ P.L. Bhola, Pakistan's Nuclear Policy (New Delhi: Sterling Publishers Private Limited, 1993), p. 27.
  11. ^ a b "KANUPP | Facilities | NTI". www.nti.org. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  12. ^ "PRIS - Reactor Details". pris.iaea.org. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  13. ^ a b Alonso, Gustavo; Valle, Edmundo del; Ramirez, Jose Ramon (2017). Desalination in Nuclear Power Plants. Oxford: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0-12-820021-6. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  14. ^ Pakistan to start work on Chinese-aided nuclear power plant
  15. ^ "Govt to kick off work on 1,100MW nuclear power plant - The Express Tribune". 7 June 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  16. ^ "The Nuclear Shadow over Karachi". 17 March 2014. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  17. ^ a b c "With Reactor Deal, China and Pakistan Seek to Reshape Global Nuclear Governance". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  18. ^ "Pakistan Breaks Ground on Nuclear Plant Project With China". The New York Times. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  19. ^ China commits $6.5 billion for nuclear power project in Karachi
  20. ^ Worldcrunch.com. "Local Fallout From Pakistan". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  21. ^ "Nuclear reactors worry Pakistan's fishers - All media content - DW.COM - 20.03.2014". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  22. ^ "PM Sharif in Karachi, inaugurates KANUPP-2 power project". Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  23. ^ "Pressure vessel in place at Karachi 2". World Nuclear News. 11 October 2017. Retrieved 21 November 2017.
  24. ^ a b c Aziz, Faisal (20 October 2011). "Leak at Pakistani nuclear plant, but no damage". reuters.com. Retrieved 22 October 2011.

External links

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