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Conference Article: Technical aspects of coupling a 6300 m3/day MSF-RO desalination plant to a PHWR nuclear power plant

Abstract

Presently, eight pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) each of 235 MWe capacity are operational in India. Four more units of similar capacity are expected to be commissioned soon. Work on two units each of 500 MWe capacity is also initiated. Extensive engineering development work has also been carried out in India, both on the MSF process and the membrane process. Based on the experience obtained from the presently operating 425 m³/d MSF plant and from the R and D work on the RO process, a 6300 m³/d MSF-RO plant (4500 m³/d MSF and 1800 m³/d RO) has been designed and the work for setting up this plant is undertaken. The steam for the heating duty in the brine heater as well as the steam for the evacuation purpose for the MSF plant is proposed to be obtained from the nuclear plant steam cycle. Sea water feed for the MSF plant as well as for the RO plant will be derived from the sea water discharge system of the nuclear power plant. Provision is made for supply of electrical power also from the power plant. The details of the heating steam supply circuit starting from the steam tapping point on the nuclear plant side to the MSF plant brine heater inlet and the arrangement for the return of condensate to the nuclear plant has been described with component requirement and various technical considerations. All the liquid streams and the steam supplied from the nuclear plant to the desalination plant as well as the product water will be monitored to ensure that there is no radioactive contamination.

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Reference:

Advisory group meeting and consultancy on experience with nuclear heat applications: district heating, process heat and desalination, 13-15 December 1995 and 7-9 February 1996.
Advisory group meeting on technology, design and safety aspects of non-electrical application of nuclear energy, 20-24 October 1997.
Advisory group meeting on operational modes of nuclear desalination plants, 3-5 November 1997.
Advisory group meeting on materials and equipment for the coupling interfaces of nuclear reactors with desalination and district heating plants, 21-23 April 1998.

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--1056, pp:263-269