Chapter – 2 (Manual – I)
Particulars of Organization, Functions and Duties
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Chapter 2: Particulars of Organization, Functions and Duties
2.1 Particulars of the Organisation
(Objective/purpose of the public authority)
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC), established in the year 1971 is a major
industrial unit of Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India. The
Hyderabad site was selected, recognizing the presence of many Science and
Technology Institutions, the industrial infrastructure available and also the
advantages of central location with excellent communication links with all parts of
the country. The complex is responsible for the supply of nuclear fuel bundles
and core components for all the Nuclear Power Reactors in India. It is a unique
facility where natural and enriched uranium fuel, zirconium alloy cladding and
reactor core components are manufactured under one roof starting from the raw
material.
2.2 Mission / vision statement of the public authority
India is pursuing a three stage nuclear power programme linking the fuel cycles
of Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) and Liquid Metal cooled Fast
Breeder Reactors (LMFBR). In addition, Light Water Reactors (LWR) have also
been included in the programme in order to achieve the target of 20,000 MWe of
nuclear power by the year 2020.
From the very inception of the nuclear power programme in India in the mid
1960s, great emphasis has been given towards self-reliance and indigenisation
in fabrication of nuclear fuels.
Ever since its commissioning in 1971, the Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) of
Hyderabad is playing a key role in this programme and has been supplying
natural and enriched Uranium Oxide fuels and Zirconium alloy core components
for all the power reactors in India. Indigenous resources, know-how, and process
equipment are being extensively utilized.
NFC is perhaps the only facility in the world wherein under the same roof, both
Uranium Oxide fuels and Zirconium alloy components are fabricated starting from
the basic raw materials namely Magnesium-di-uranate and Zircon sand
respectively. So far, NFC has produced more than 3,00,000 fuel bundles for the
PHWRs, nearly 3,000 fuel assemblies for the BWRs and a variety of Zirconium
alloy components for power and research reactors in India including pressure
tubes and calandria tubes for PHWRs.
In addition, NFC has manufactured and supplied stainless steel core components
for the Fast Breeder Reactor programme, Seamless alloy steel and Titanium
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tubes and other special high purity materials for both nuclear and non-nuclear
applications.
NFC has a highly qualified and committed team of Scientists, Engineers and
Technicians. This resource is combined with state-of-the-art equipment and
technology and total quality management objective, NFC is poised to meet the
challenges in the years to come.
2.3 Brief history of public authority and context of its formation
The Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE),
which has completed its first 30 years, is a unique industrial complex solely
responsible for the supply of fuel assemblies and in-core structural components
for India’s nuclear power reactors.
The decision to establish all the production operations at one location in
Hyderabad was taken in 1965 by late Dr Homi J. Bhabha, the then Chairman,
Atomic Energy Commission, after due consideration of various alternatives. The
construction work at the site, covering about 1200 acres provided by the
Government of Andhra Pradesh, was commenced in 1969 and the various units
went into operation starting from 1971.
The entire Moula Ali area on the outskirts of the city of Hyderabad, founded 400
years ago, which was originally a rocky area and undulating terrain country
strewn with boulders, has now blossomed into a busy center with NFC and ECIL
located side by side along with the township. The initiative taken by the
Department of Atomic Energy has also stimulated industrial development in the
entire area and transformed the landscape. The panoramic view of the Plant site
and the environs that one can command from the administrative building on top
of the hill testifies to all this progress and solid achievement of the three decades.
2.4 Duties of the Public Authority
NFC is committed to manufacture and supply high quality:
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Natural, Depleted, Recycled and Enriched Uranium Dioxide Fuel
Assemblies;
Thorium Oxide Pellets and Assemblies;
Reactor-grade Zirconium Sponge and Zirconium Alloy components for
Fuel Assemblies and Core Structurals for Water Cooled Nuclear Power
Reactors;
Stainless Steel Cladding Tubes, Fuel Sub Assembly Components, Blanket
and other Core Sub Assemblies for Sodium Cooled Fast Reactors;
Stainless Steel, Special Alloy Seamless Tubes; and
High Purity Advanced Material for strategic industries like Atomic Energy,
Electronics, Defence, Space, etc.
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2.5 Main activities / functions of the public authority
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Production of nuclear fuel bundles for Indian Power Reactors both
Pressurized Heavy Water (PHWR) and Boiling Water (BWR) types.
Production of Zircaloy reactor core components like coolant tubes,
calandria tubes, flow-tubes, fuel tubes, etc.
Production of Seamless Stainless Steel Tubes.
Production of Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) core sub-assemblies.
Production of very high purity (99.999%) materials for electronic and other
industries.
2.6 List of services being provided by the public authority with a brief write-up on
them.
Nuclear Products :
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Uranium Oxide Fuel Pellets for Nuclear Power Reactors : PHWR & BWRs
Zirconium Alloy Cladding Tubes and Components for PHWR & BWR fuel
bundles / assemblies.
Zirconium Alloy Structurals for PHWR and BWR cores.
SS Cladding Tubes, Hexcans & Core-Assemblies for Fast Breeder
Reactors.
Non-Nuclear Products :
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Special Seamless Tubes
Stainless steels, titanium alloys, maraging steel, high nickel alloys,
zirconium alloys, etc. for power stations, aerospace, marine propulsion,
chemical, fertilizer and defence industries.
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High Purity Materials (Purity 99.999 – 99.9999%)
Antimony, bismuth, boron, tribromide, cadmium, gallium, gold, gold
potassium cyanide, indium, lead, phosphorus oxychloride, selenium,
silver, tellurium, tantalum, tin and zirconium.
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Special Materials
Tantalum & niobium metal ingots, components and powder for strategic
use; tantalum and niobium pentoxide powder for cutting tool applications.
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2.7 Organizational Structure Diagram at various levels at NFC :
Chief Executive
DCEs/GMs
IFA
Regional Director,
Purchase
Chief Admn.
Officer
Vigilance
Officer
2.8 Expectation of the public authority from the public for enhancing its
effectiveness and efficiency
The public expects that NFC works in a environment that is safe. To reach the
expectations of the public, NFC Management accords utmost importance to
safety – industrial, radiological, personnel as well as environmental. NFC
Management firmly believes and is committed to prevent all injuries. Safety is
regarded as a line management responsibility and gets precedence over other
production objectives.
To achieve this objective, NFC Management is committed to :
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Observe national and international regulation on safety as applicable
Create and maintain a safe and healthy work place
Establish safe work-practices
Ensure effective safety training
Create interest and enthusiasm in safety
Develop personal responsibility for safety
NFC Management believes that every job can be done safely and without
affecting the health of employees.
2.9 Arrangements and methods made for seeking public participation /
contribution
NFC being an industrial organization, it encourages participation from academic
institutions, universities, students as Academic and Industry interaction to
promote engineering sciences for their benefit.
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2.10
Mechanism available for monitoring the service delivery and public
grievance resolution.
The Government of India has an administrative reforms as well as redress of
public grievances relating to the States in general and grievances pertaining to
Central Government agencies in particular. The Department disseminates
information on important activities of the Government relating to administrative
reforms and public grievance redressal through publications and documentation.
The Department also undertakes activities in the field of international exchange
and cooperation to promote public service reforms.
As per the Directives of the Department, the NFC has mechanism to act
as a facilitator in consultation with various groups in NFC to redress the
grievances of employees and public.
2.11
Addresses of the main office and other offices at different levels
Main Office is located at Hyderabad. The address is
Nuclear Fuel Complex
Department of Atomic Energy
Hyderabad – 500 062
Andhra Pradesh
Other Offices of NFC located at Mumbai and Pazhayakayal, Tuticorin.
Mumbai:
Liaison Office
Nuclear Fuel Complex
Department of Atomic Energy
Anushakti Bhavan, CSM Marg
MUMBAI – 400 001
Palayakayal:
New Zirconium and Oxide Sponge Project
Nuclear Fuel Complex
Pazhayakayal Post
Srivaikuntam Taluq
Tuticorin District – 628 152
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2.12
Working Hours of the Office
The Office Hours of Office: The Office Hours of NFC is from 0845 hrs to 1645
hrs. The Complex also works on round-the-clock shifts, which are given below:
Opening hours
First Shift
Closing hours
:
0615 hrs to 1415 hrs
General Shift :
0845 hrs to 1645 hrs
Second Shift :
1415 hrs to 2215 hrs
Night Shift
2215 hrs to 0615 hrs
:
Every Second Monday of the month is observed as closed holiday in lieu of
Second Saturday and observe six day week pattern.
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