Kalpakkam FBR achieves criticality with KBL support

09 Apr 2026 CW Team

India has achieved a major milestone in its nuclear energy programme as the Kalpakkam Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) attains criticality, marking a crucial step in the country’s three-stage nuclear power roadmap.

Kirloskar Brothers Limited (KBL) played a key role by engineering and supplying primary and secondary heat transport pumps—the only rotating equipment within the reactor system. Each pump weighs around 135 tonnes and is designed to handle liquid sodium at temperatures exceeding 500°C, reflecting advanced engineering capabilities.

KBL is among a select group of four global companies capable of manufacturing such nuclear-grade pumping systems, reinforcing India’s self-reliance in critical infrastructure under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

In addition, the company supplied Concrete Volute Circulating Water Pumps, each delivering 9,500 litres per second of seawater. Developed using advanced seismic and computational fluid dynamics techniques, these pumps eliminate the need for standby systems—marking a global first for fast breeder reactors.

KBL also implemented a comprehensive firefighting system to enhance plant safety. The achievement was supported by BHAVINI, Department of Atomic Energy and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited, among others.

The milestone underscores India’s progress towards sustainable, secure and self-reliant nuclear energy infrastructure.

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