Annexure-I

“FUEL HANDLING SYSTM IN POWER PLANTS”

1.0 Aims/Benefits of the micro project

The fuel handling system (FHS) provides a safe means for handling and
performance monitoring of fuel assemblies and control components from the time of
receipt of new fuel assemblies to the shipment of spent fuel. This includes installing
and removing fuel assemblies in the reactor vessel, transferring irradiated fuel
assemblies from the reactor vessel to the spent fuel pool (SFP), and storage of
irradiated fuel assemblies. The system also provides a means of safely receiving,
inspecting, storing, and handling new fuel. The FHS design maintains occupational
radiation exposures as low as is reasonably achievable (ALARA) during
transportation and handling.

2.0 Course outcome addressed.

• Select suitable fuel for power plant.
• uses of various fuel for various power plant.

3.0 Proposed methodology

Prepare a report on fuel handling system in power plants.

4.0 Action Plan

Sr. Plan start Plan finish

Detail of activity
No. date date

1 Searching the topic for micro-project 30/09/2023 30/09/2023

2 collect information from the internet and textbook 1/10/2023 3/10/2023

collect information from the Power plant

3 4/10/2023 6/10/2023
engineering PPE (22566) reference book.

4 arrange all information in m/s word 15/10/2023 18/10/2023

5 Prepare a report on it using MS word 19/10/2023 22/10/2023

6 print micro project 30/10/2023 30/10/2023

5.0 Resources used

Sr. no. Name of resource material Specifications Quantity

1 Computer System 16 GB RAM, Windows 10 OS 1

2 Internet You tube / Wikipedia

1
3 textbook/manual Elements of Machine Design EMD 22564

annexure-II

“FUEL HANDLING SYSTM IN POWER PLANTS”

1.0 Brief Introduction/Rationale

This working report is an update for as well as a supplement to an earlier fuel

handling machine design. A focus in the earlier design proposal was primarily on the
selection of a mechanical structure and operating principle for the fuel handling
machine. This report introduces not only a fuel handling machine design but also
auxiliary fuel handling cell equipment and its operation. An objective of the design
work was to verify the operating principles of and space allocations for fuel handling
cell equipment. The fuel handling machine is a remote controlled apparatus capable
of handling intensely radiating fuel assemblies in the fuel handling cell of an
encapsulation plant. The fuel handling cell is air tight space radiation-shielded with
massive concrete walls. The fuel handling machine is based on a bridge crane
capable of traveling in the handling cell along wall tracks. The bridge crane has its
carriage provided with a carousel type turntable having mounted thereon both fixed
and telescopic masts. The fixed mast has a gripper movable on linear guides for the
transfer of fuel assemblies. The telescopic mast has a manipulator arm capable of
maneuvering equipment present in the fuel handling cell, as well as conducting
necessary maintenance and cleaning operations or rectifying possible fault
conditions.

TYPES OF FUELS

1. Coal delivery:
The coal from supply points is delivered by ships or boats to power stations situated
near to sea or river whereas coal is supplied by rail or trucks to the power stations
which are situated away from sea or river. The transportation of coal by trucks is
used if the railway facilities are not available.

2. Unloading of fuel:
The type of equipment to be used for unloading the coal received at the power
station depends on how coal is received at the power station. If coal delivered by
trucks, there is no need of unloading device as the trucks may dump the coal to the
outdoor storage. Coal is easily handled if the lift trucks with scoop are used.
In case the coal is brought by railways wagons, ships or boats, the unloading may be
done by car shakes, rotary car dumpers, cranes, grab buckets and coal accelerators.
Rotary car dumpers although costly are quite efficient for unloading closed wagons.

3. Preparation:
When the coal delivered is in the form of big lumps and it is not of proper size, the
preparation (sizing) of coal can be achieved by crushers, breakers, sizers, driers and
magnetic separators.

4. Outdoor storage and covered storage:

It is desirable that sufficient quantity of coal should be stored. Storage of coal gives
protection against the interruption of coal supplies when there is delay in
transportation of coal or due to strike in coal mines.

Also when the prices are low, the coal can be purchased and stored for future use.
The amount of coal to be stored depends on the availability of space for storage,
transportation facilities, the amount of coal that will whether away and nearness to
coal mines of the power station.

Usually coal required for one month operation of power plant is stored in case of
power stations is situated at longer distance from the collieries whereas coal need
for about 15 days is stored in case of power station situated near to collieries.
Storage of coal for longer periods is not advantageous because it blocks the capital
and results in deterioration of the quality of coal.

5. Weighing and measuring:

Equipment that is used to weigh or measure goods for consumers must be suitable
for the quantity being determined and accurate within specific tolerances.

Equipment used for consumer sales is required to be 'Government stamped'; this

refers to markings that show the equipment has been made to a particular standard
and meets accuracy requirements.
6.Transfer:
After preparation coal is transferred to the dead storage by means of the following
systems.

A. Belt conveyors
B. Screw conveyors
C. Bucket elevators
D. Grab bucket elevators

A. Belt conveyors:
It consists of an endless belt moving over a pair of end drums (rollers). At some
distance a supporting roller is provided at the centre. The belt is made up of rubber
or canvas. Belt conveyor is suitable for the transfer of coal over long distances. It is
used in medium and large power plants.
The initial cost of system is not high and power consumption is also low. The
inclination at which coal can be successfully elevated by belt conveyor is about 20.
Average speed preferred than other types.

B. Screw conveyors:
It consists of an endless helicoid screw fitted to a shaft (figure). The screw while
rotating in a trough transfers the coal from feeding end to the discharge end.
This system is suitable, where coal is to be transferred over shorter distance and
space limitations exist. The initial cost of the consumption is high and there is
considerable wear o screw. Rotation of screw varies between 75-125 rpm.

C. Bucket elevators:

It consists of buckets fixed to a chain (figure). The chain moves over two wheels.
The coal is carried by the bucket from bottom and discharged at the top.
 D. Grab bucket elevators:
It lifts and transfers coal on a single rail or track from one point to the other. The
coal lifted by grab buckets is transferred to overhead bunker or storage. This
system requires less power for operation and requires minimum maintenance.

The grab bucket conveyor can be used with crane or tower as shown in figure.
Although the initial cost of this system is high but operating cost is less.

2.0 Actual Resources Use

Sr. no. Name of resource material Specifications Quantity

1 Computer System 16 GB RAM, Windows 10 OS 1

2 Internet You tube / Wikipedia

1
3 textbook/manual Elements of Machine Design EMD 22564

3.0 Skill Developed

1. Teamwork
2. Communication skills
3. Able to get all information about fuel handling system.

Conclusion
It has been possible for us to briefly cover in this paper only some of the
improvements and innovative features of the 500 MWe Indian PHWR FHS design. It
is well recognised that the performance of the on power FHS play a major role for
the success of PHWRs. We hope that these features will contribute in a large way for
a trouble free and optimal performance of the FHS.