Chennai, Jan 7 (IANS) In order to secure energy security through efficient firing of coal, three Indian giants have joined hands to design, develop and build advanced super ultra critical boilers.
Speaking at the 98th Indian Science Congress held at SRM University in Kattankulathur near hear, O.P. Bhutani, director (Engineering and Research and Development), Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) said: "Three organisations - BHEL, the NTPC (National Thermal Power Corporation) and IGCAR (Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research) - will jointly develop an advanced ultra super critical boiler for coal fired power plants."
He said the whole project is expected to take around seven years - 2.5 years for research and development and 4.5 years for installation.
As per plans, the IGCAR will design and develop the advanced, ultra super-critical boiler that can operate at a pressure of 350 bar (a measure of steam pressure) and at a temperature of 700 degrees centigrade.
IGCAR has the expertise is in equipment design, development of materials that can operate in very high temperature.
It will also draw out the equipment manufacturing codes and standards and these has been successfully demonstrated by IGCAR while designing and developing materials for the upcoming 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam near here.
Meanwhile, BHEL will manufacture the boiler and other equipment needed for power generation and NTPC will operate the plant.
The proposed project would need about 100 people, drawn from the three organisations.
The government is looking at international cooperation for this project on mutually beneficial terms.
Bhutani said the Indian government has proposed a National Mission for Development of Ultra Supercritical Technology for Thermal Power Plants as the Ninth Mission under the National Action Plan for Climate Change under the guidance of R. Chidambaram, principal scientific advisor to government.
According to officials the project cost - design, develop and build - is expected to touch around Rs.10,000 crore.