IMPLEMENTATION OF LIFE MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME

The Periodic Safety Review normally sets the implementation schedule of recommended improvements. The safety significance, PSA, techno-economic considerations govern the implementation plan. However, the older plants up to KAPS 1 had used Zircaloy2 pressure tubes in the original design. The en-masse pressure tube replacement period is being used in a big way to implement major retrofitting jobs. RAPS 2, MAPS 1 and MAPS 2 have already undergone this exercise. In MAPS units apart from safety up-grading, SG replacement, portions of feeder lengths replacement at all outlet end and plant life management activities have also been completed. Safety upgrades have also been completed in RAPS 1. At present NAPS 1 has been taken up for pressure tube replacement. Feeder length replacement is however being considered for NAPS units. It is seen that NAPS and onwards will not need many retrofits as they have been designed with prevailing safety standards and there are no major signs of degradations. The following paragraphs summarize the experiences of life management in Indian PHWRs.