Department of Atomic Energy Annual Report 1979-80

Contents

General Survey 3

Nuclear PowerPower Projects Engineering Division . . . . . . . . 7

Nuclear Fuel Complex . . . . 8

Heavy Water Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Atomic Minerals Division . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Research and DevelopmentBhabha Atomic Research Centre . . . . . . . . 12

Reactor Research Centre . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research . . . . . . . . 39

Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics . . . . . . . . 43

Tata Memorial Centre 45

Public Sector Undertakings

Indian Rare Earths Ltd. . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. . . . . . . . . 47

Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. . . . . . . . . 48

Other Activities 49

Directorate of Purchase & Stores, Civil Engineering Division, FinancialAssistance, Contributory Health Service Scheme, Project MonitoringCell, Planning & Analysis Group, Review of DAE's Administrative andManagement Procedures, Publicity, Enforcement of Orders. Relatingto SC/ST Candidates, Joint Consultative Machinery and CompulsoryArbitration Scheme, Use of Hindi, Atomic Energy Schools, InternationalRelations.

ATOMIC ENERGY ESTABLISHMENTS IN INDIA

Nuclear Research Laboratory

^ H i g h Altitude Research Laboratory

U Heavy Water Plant

Atomic Power Station

Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics

Variable Energy Cyclotron

Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.

Tata Institute of FundamentalResearch

•INARORA

•IRANA PRATAP SAGAR

QKOTA

JADUGUDA

TALCHERQ

TARAPURROMBA

BOMBAY

HYDERABAD

GAURIBIDANUR

KALPAKKAM^

ALWAYE

CHAVARA*

MANAVALAKURUCW

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Unit |

Tata Memorial Centre

^Electronics CorDoration of India Ltd.

^ Complex

Atomic Minerals Division

Seismic Station

Reacter Research Centre

Rare Earths Plant

Mineral Sands

ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES1979-80 (\H%)

GENERALSURVEY

T H E major thrust of the atomic energyprogramme is towards generation

of electrical power. The programme ispursued largely on the basis of self-reliance, which is the cardinal principleof India's developmental effort. Thispolicy has led to the building up ofthe technology, the R & D, and theindustrial and manpower infrastructurerequired to sustain and promote theprogramme.

The nuclear power scene today is madeup of the 400 MWe Tarapur AtomicPower Station at Tarapur in Maha-rashtra, the 440 MWe Rajasthan AtomicPower Project at Rana Pratap Sagar inRajasthan, the 470 MWe Madras AtomicPower Project at Kalpakkam in TamilNadu,and the 470 MWe Narora AtomicPower Project in Uttar Pradesh. Ofthese Stations, Tarapur has been operat-ing since October 1969; and one unitof 220 MWe of the Rajasthan Stationhas been operating since December1973. Other units and projects are indifferent stages of construction or com-missioning.

The Bhabha Atomic Research Centreat Trombay, provides the R & D backingto support the nuclear power programme.In addition, it also carries out research ina wide ranging and diverse set of scien-tific disciplines and tasks, including thedevelopment and application of radio-isotopes and isotope techniques inmedicine, agriculture, industry and manyother areas.

A Variable Energy Cyclotron has beenset up at Calcutta by BARC as a nationalfacility for advanced work in nuclearphysics and for controlled directirradiation of biological and agriculturalproducts.

The Reactor Research Centre atKalpakkam carries on research anddevelopment work in the area of FastBreeder Reactors.

Among the agencies directly involvedin the power programme are the AtomicMinerals Division, which surveys andprospects for uranium and other atomicminerals, the Uranium Corporation ofIndia Ltd at Jaduguda which processesthe uranium ore; and the Nuclear FuelComplex at Hyderabad which convertsuranium concentrate received from Jadu-guda into fuel for natural uraniumfuelled heavy water moderated reactors,such as the ones at Rajasthan, Madrasand Narora Stations. Tarapur uses en-

riched uranium fuel which is made atthe NFC from uranium hexafluorideimported from the USA.

There are four heavy water projectsat Kota, Baroda, Tuticorin and Talcherto meet the needs of the natural uraniumfuelled reactors. A small heavy waterplant has been in operation at Nangalsince 1962.

The Power Projects Engineering Divisionof the Department is the agency respons-ible for the design, erection and com-missioning of nuclear power plants. TheElectronics Corporation of India Ltd.at Hyderabad supplies nuclear andnon-nuclear electronic instrumentation

and equipment, and the Indian RareEarths Ltd processes beach sands forextracting thorium and rare earthminerals.

The Department has three fully aidedinstitutions: the Tata Institute of Fun-damental Research, Bombay; the TataMemorial Centre, Bombay and theSaha Institute of Nuclear Physics,Calcutta, under its overall administrativecontrol. In addition, to encourageresearch in the nuclear sciences andassociated fields, the Department givesaid to a number of scientists andinstitutions in the country.

What follows is a brief review of workdone in some units of the Departmentduring 1979-80.

Nuclear Power

The Tarapur Atomic Power Stationcompleted ten yearsxof commercialoperation in 1979. It fias undergonea number of modifications- over theyears to improve its performance.During the financial year 1979-80, itgenerated 1746 million units. Of this,around 823 million units were suppliedto Maharashtra and around 797 millionunits to Gujarat. Even though the unit-wise power levels were kept down to160 MWe to conserve available fuel, theStation achieved a capacity factor of47.3 per cent.

Unit I of the Rajasthan Atomic PowerStation has been generating around 185MWe since April 1979. During 1979-80this unit generated around 1130.98million units of power. At Unit II of theRAPS, all the systems have been commis-sioned with light water and the unitis kept ready for achieving criticalitywithin three months after the full chargeof heavy water becomes available.

' t the Madras Atomic Power Project,construction work on Unit I is at itspeak. Most of the equipment has beeninstalled and work on fabricating anderecting piping is almost over. Theturbo-generator has been commissionedwith auxiliary boilers, and commissioningof other systems is in progress. At

DEGREE OF INDIGEIM1SATION IIMNUCLEAR POWER PROJECTS

NARORA I & II

Unit II of the project, major reactorcomponents have been received andinstalled. Other nuclear equipments arein an advanced stage of construction atthe manufacturers' works.

At the Narora Atomic Power Project,the civil works are in full swing. Workon erection of structural steel in thereactor building is nearing completionand manufacture of major nuclear com-ponents is progressing.

Research & Development

At the BARC, the 100 MWe thermalresearch reactor. Project R-5, is makingprogress; the reactor vessel and coolantchannel assemblies are being fabricated

within BARC, while a number of othercomponents such as end shield, annularshield, deck shield, fuelling machines,heavy water and process water heatexchangers etc. are being manufacturedin various engineering firms. The reactorbuilding, service building and stack civilworks are nearing completion.

The MHD power generation projectwholly sponsored by the Department ofScience ErTechno logy, is jointlyexecutedby BARC and Bharat Heavy ElectricalsLtd. Civil works on the laboratorybuilding and other support facilities atthe project site at Tiruchirapalli (TamilNadu) are nearing completion. Thedesign of the MHD generator, magnetand control system has been completed.

A small 10 kW MHD generator testsection has been designed, and is beingfabricated; it will be tested at Moscowunder the joint Indo-Soviet CooperationProgramme.

BARC's work in the area of mutantdevelopment has been of considerableinterest to farmers. It has developedmutants of groundnuts, rice, sugarcane,jute and mustard. Manyof these mutantsare undergoing tests in State and CentralGovernment sponsored trials. Mini-kittrials of Trombay groundnut varietieswere conducted in six states covering29 districts. The rice mutant TR-17, isbeing tested in Maharashtra and Andhra,while mini-kit trials are being arrangedwith two other rice varieties: TR-21in Andhra Pradesh, and TR-23 inKarnataka.

The yellow bold seeded mustard varietyTM-4, was supplied to over 1,000farmers in response to their requestsat the Agri-Expo 77 in New Delhi.The response of the farmers to thisvariety was favourable, with 78 percent of them wanting to cultivate itfurther.

Radioisotopes

The radio isotope programme mada sub-stantial progress during the year. Over39,000 consignments of radio isotopeproducts were supplied to users inIndia and abroad. The radioisotope pro-gramme also includes production andsupply of a wide range of radio-pharmaceuticals, provision of specialservices and training, and developmentof new products for medical applica-tions. More than 28,000 consignmentsof different radiopharmaceuticals werealso supplied to over 145 users. Theradiopharmaceuticals are also exportedto Australia, Denmark and France. ARadiopharmacauticals Laboratory Pro-ject is coming up in New Bombay.

The plant for radiation sterilisation ofmedical products at Trombay, ISOMED,offers radiation sterilisation service tomanufacturers of medical products,hospitals and the pharmaceutical in-dustry. A total of 22,006 cubic metres

GROWTH OF MANPOWER

20,000 -

15,000

10,000 -

5000 -

10001977-78 1978-79

I SCIENTIFIC & TECHNICAL I1979-80

IAUXIUARY & ADMINISTRATIVE

of various medical products were steri-lised during thé* year, registering ap-proximately a 37 per cent increase overthe volume of medical products steri-lised during 1978. The processing capa-city of the plant has been increased byadding 82,500 Curies of cobalt-60to the source frame during 1979.

Thermovac Chamber

An interesting piece of work canied outin collaboration with the Indo-BurmaPetroleum Company was the designand fabrication of a 2 m. dia. thermovacchamber installed at the ISRO Satellite

Centre, Bangalore. The chamber wasused extensively for testing sub-com-ponents of the satellite Bhaskara. Workon designing and commissioning amuch larger space simulation facility isnow in hand.

Yet another contribution of BARC tothe space programme during the yearwas the fabrication of solar panels forthe Rohini technological payload aboardSLV-3, which was launched in August1979. BARC supplied six solar panels,each capable of delivering 2.2 watts ofpower. Another experimental panel is inorbit on board Bhaskara,

The air monitoring network was ex-panded to include Kanpur, Coimbatore,Chandigarh and Jaipur. This step willprovide better coverage of pollutedurban environments and assist instudies of radioactive fallout fromatmospheric nuclear explosions.

The country-wide personnel monitoringservice for estimating radiation ex-posure covered about 22,000 regularradiation workers from 2,100 institu-tions.

Reactor Research Centre,Kalpakkam

The major project in hand at the Centreis the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).The civil works for the reactor have beencompleted and work on the power andcontrol systems is almost over. Thethrust of the research and developmentefforts at the Centre is in the areaof sodium technology, metallurgy,reprocessing, engineering and materialsscience. Construction work on a Radio-metallurgy Laboratory, a MaterialsDevelopment Laboratory and a Radio-chemistry Laboratory is in progress.

Work on a core design of a 500 MWesodium cooled Fast Breeder Reactor iscontinuing.

Variable Energy Cyclotron

The Variable Energy Cyclotron at Cal-cutta has been facing a continuouserratic power supply situation and there-fore a 2 MVA power plant of dieselgenerators is now being installed. AnIRIS-80 computer acquired from Francehas been commissioned at the VECLaboratory.

Atomic Minerals Division

Intensified efforts by the AMD duringthe year brought to light promisinguranium occurrences at Jublatola nearJaduguda in the Singhbhum Dist. ofBihar.

Encouraging values of uranium havebeen indicated in the Mayurbhanj Dist,

(Orissa), Bastar Dist, (M.P.), KhasiHills Dist, (Meghalaya), South KanaraDist, (Karnataka) and in South Sikkim.

Efforts towards exploration of colum-bium tantalum have yielded over 11tonnes of these minerals during the yearfrom Bihar, Karnataka and M. P. TheDivision is continuing investigations forevaluation of helium resources in partsof West Bengal and Bihar.

Nuclear Fuel Complex

The Nuclear Fuel Complex at Hyderabadmainly fabricates fuel and zircaloy com-ponents for power reactors of the pres-surised heavy water type at the Rajas-than, Madras and Narora Atomic PowerStations, as also fuel for the TarapurAtomic Power Station from enrichedUFG supplied by the USA. During theyear, the important developments at theComplex were: fabrication of the intri-cate spacers type plate components forthe Tarapur station fuel assembly, com-missioning of skull melting furnace forrecovering zircaloy scrap, fabrication ofa modified fuel assembly, and commis-sioning of most of the major equipmentsof the Ball Bearing Tube Plant. The acutepower shortage in Hyderabad from themiddle of 1979 has been affecting pro-duction in this unit.

Heavy Water Plant

Revamping works at the heavy waterplant at Baroda which was damaged byan explosion in December 1977 havebeen completed. Production of heavywater is expected by April 1980. Theheavy water plant at Tuticorin, whichwas shut down in January 1979 dueto a defect in the ammonia plant ofM/s Southern Petrochemicals wasstarted in April 1979 and heavy waterproduction was resumed in May 1979.The erection of the heavy water plant atKota is expected to be completed byNovember 1980. The plant at Talcherhas reached the stage of mechanicalcompletion. Owing to virtual stoppageof power supply to the Fertilizer Plantof FCI, the testing and commissioningwork of the HW plant which was inprogress, had to be discontinued.

Industrial Undertakings

The Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.made a profit of Rs. 63.31 lakhs during1978-79, the highest ever achievedby the Company. The production ofuranium concentrate was higher by31.5 per cent compared to the previousyear. During 1979-80, the Corporationcommissioned a full scale plant torecover magnetite from the JadugudaMill taiiings. The Corporation's produc-tion activities have been affected bypower interruptions and restrictions.

The major achievement of the IndianRare Earths' Ltd during the year wasits successful conclusion of a contractfor sale of ilmenite in the U.S. market.Its sales turnover during 1978-79 wasRs. 1039 lakhs as against Rs. 877.5lakhs the previous year. The exportearnings have also registered a growthfrom Rs. 464.4 lakhs in the previous yearto Rs. 511 lakhs in the current year.

The operating results of the ElectronicsCorporation of India Ltd have not beensatisfactory. Production and income forthe year 1978-79 reached Rs. 3454 lakhsand Rs. 3591 lakhs respectively butthe year closed with a loss. TheCorporation has saved foreign exchangeto the tune of Rs. 15 crores, therebyincreasing the foreign exchange savingssince its inception to Rs. 83 crores.

International Relations

For the 23rd year in succession sincethe inception of the IAEA, India wasdesignated a member of its Board ofGovernors. At the invitation of theGovernment of India, the IAEA held its23rd General Conference in New Delhifrom December 4 to 10, 1979. Dele-gates from 81 member-States, represen-tatives of the UN and a number ofagencies (UNIDO, UNDP, FAO andWHO) and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations participatedin the Conference which was inaugu-rated by the Prime Minister. Dr. H. N.Sethna, Secretary, Department of AtomicEnergy and Chairman of the AtomicEnergy Commission was elected Presi-dent of the General Conference.

NUCLEARPOWER

Power Projects EngineeringDivision

Tarapur Atomic Power Station

The Station completed ten yearsof commercial operation in 1979. Itgenerated 1746 million units during thefinancial year 1979-80, of which itsupplied 823 million units of power toMaharashtra, and around 797 millionunits to Gujarat. Even though unit-wisepower levels were restricted to 160 MWein order to conserve the available fuel(in absence of any certainty of supplyof enriched uranium from the USA),the Station achieved a capacity factorof 47.3%.

Unit I generated 735 million units withavailability and capacity factors of 63.1 %and 39.8% respectively. The unit wasshutdown for the sixth refuelling onNovember 28, 1979 and this job is inprogress at present.

Unit II generated 1010 million unitsduring this period with availability andcapacity factors of 75.7% and 54.8%respectively. The unit was shutdownfor its sixth refuelling outage for 88days from March to June 1979.

A number of important modificationswere initiated in 1979 for ensuringmore reliable operation. Among themodifications are :

(i) The capacity of the spent fuelstorage pool was augmented to ac-commodate future discharges from thereactors by installing stainless steelracks, (ii) One of the clean-up re-circulation pumps was rehabilitated withthe assistance of BHEL. The work ofconstructing and erecting the augmented

clean-up and secondary feed deminera-lisation system is in an advanced stage,(iii) A new compressor was com-missioned for service air supply, (iv)The second Local Power Range Moni-tor (LPRM), a sophisticated instrumentused for measuring reactor flux in thereactor core was installed in Unit I.This equipment has been manufacturedwith modified circuitry by the Elect-ronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL),and constitutes an import substitutioneffort.

The discharges of radioactivity to theenvironment were kept under strictcontrol and are well within the pres-cribed limits.

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station

Unit I is operating satisfactorily at anaverage load of 185 MWe.

The operational statistics regarding thisunit are :

to

Gross Generation (MU)Net Output (MU)Operating factor (%)Availability factor (%)Max Power level (MWe)Capacity Factor (%)

(April 1979March 1980)

1130.981033.44

74.182.30

200.0657.20

Outages

During the year the total number ofoutages were 13.

Unit II has been commissioned withlight water and is awaiting heavywater for final stages of commission-ing. The interval is being utilised- forsystem modifications based on experien-ce of Unit I

Madras Atomic Power Project

fn Unit I, construction work as wellas installation of equipment has beencompleted in all areas except in those

relating to fuel handling and instru-mentation. In the fuel handling system,two Fuelling Machine Heads have beenreceived at site and erection is in pro-gress. About 95% of instrumentationhas been installed. The Reactor Buildingpressure and leak test has been success-fully completed. The major plant pipingwork has been completed and about50% of testing and commissioningwork is over. Commissioning of theturbo-generator with auxiliary boilershas been completed. Take over, testingand commissioning of individual systemsis in progress. The Electrical Systemsare nearing completion. The HeavyWater Upgrading plant is in an advancedstage of construction.

In Unit II, the main plant civil workshave been completed. The major reactorcomponents have been received andinstalled in position. Development workon coolant tubes has been completedand production of coolant tubes is onhand. Manufacture of moderator pumps,heat exchanger, bleed condenser, bleedcooler and standby coolers is nearingcompletion; these equipment are ex-pected to be delivered at site shortly.About 60% of main plant piping work,75% of turbo-generator and auxiliarysystem installation works, 85% of workon sea water cooling system, and 32%of electrical systems have been com-pleted.

Narora Atomic Power ProjectUnits I & II

Civil construction works to the extentof 75% on Reactor Building No. 1. 55%on Reactor Building No. 2, 85% onTurbine Building No. 1 and 65% onTurbine Building No. 2 have beencompleted. Erection of structural steelin the Reactor Building is nearingcompletion. Erection of structural steelfor Reactor Building No. 2 is in pro-gress. Most of the embedded partsfor the main plant buildings have beenfabricated at site workshop and fabri-cation of miscellaneous tanks has beentaken up.

Some of the major equipment like PHTPump-motor sets for Unit I, plate type

Heat Exchangers for process watersystem, turbine hall crane, and a sub-stantial quantity of pipes and fittingshave already arrived at site. Fabricationof Calandria, End shields. Boilers andHeaders for both the units has progress-ed substantially-

Fuel ComplexThe activities of the Nuclear FuelComplex can be broadly divided intotwo main groups: (i) the Fuel Groupand (ii) the Tubes Group.

The Fuel Group is designed to meetthe fuel and zircaloy requirements ofthe Nuclear Power Reactors. The follow-ing plants are operated in this Group:(i) Zirconium Oxide Plant, (ii) Zircon-ium Sponge Plant, (iii) Zircaloy Fabri-cation Plant, (iv) Uranium Oxide Plant,(v) Enriched Uranium Oxide Plant,(vi) Ceramic Fuel Fabrication Plant,(vii) Enriched Fuel Fabrication Plant,(viii) Fast Breeder Test Reactor Compo-nent Facility and (ix) Common PlantFacilities.

In addition, a Special Materials Plant(which nakes ultra pure elements andcompounds for the electronics indust-ry), and a Titanium Pilot Plant are inoperation.

The Tubes Group consists of (i) anExtrusion & Piercing Press, (ii) aSeamless Stainless Tube Plant and (iii)a Ball Bearing Tube Plant.

Till end-March 1980, 26.02 tonnesof fuel was shipped to the RajasthanAtomic Power Project and 39.17 tonnesof fuel to the Madras Atomic PowerProject. The fuel shipment made toMAPP so far is adequate for the criti-cality of the reactor, except for thedepleted fuel bundles which would beprocessed next year.

On the enriched uranium side, 7 tonnesof finished fuel have been made so far.The supply of enriched UF6 from theU.S. was not made as per schedule andonly a limited quantity of 16.8 tonnesof enriched UFS was received during

the year. It has been converted to UO2powder.

30 numbers of modified fuel assemblies(4.8 tonnes) which are expected to givea better performance in the reactorswere made and supplied to Tarapur fortesting.

For making split-spacer fuel assemblies,a vacuum coating and brazing unit wascommissioned and a few proto-type 22element bundles were made for Naroiareactors.

The machining of various componentssuch as end plugs, foot assemblypaits etc. for the FBTR assembly areprogressing.

Production of zircaloy-spacers from in-digenously rolled zircaloy strips usinga welding machine designed and fabri-cated at the Nuclear Fuel Complexwas a significant step taken at NFCtowards import substitution. Zircaloy-spacers are a complicated and criticalpart in the assembly of TAPS fuel.This year onwards, this critical part,which fully meets the stringent qualityrequirements, will be made at NFCitself, indigenous manufacture of SStie-plates for the Tarapur fuel assembly,in collaboration with local parties, isanother important achievement.

The Zirconium Oxide Plant has beenoperating at 80 per cent capacity.With the commissioning of some minoradditional equipments, the plant isexpected to achieve its rated capacity.However, the plant has been shut downfrom December 1979 because ofpower shortage.

The Zirconium Sponge Plant has beencontinuously operating at its rated capa-city. This plant has also been shutdown since December 1979.

The Zircaloy Fabrication Plant has pro-duced fuel tubes and components re-quired for 53 MT of natural fuel and18 MT of enriched fuel, 114 numbers ofguide tubes and various componentsfor the R-5 research reactor, 24 numbersof Calandria tubes for NAPP-I reactorand 7 flow tubes for MAPP-II reactor.

180 KW self-resistance sintering furnace atthe Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad.

An electron beam skull melting furnacehas been commissioned for consoli-dating massive zircaloy scrap priorto final melting. Trials fcr the manu-facture of MAPP-II coolant tubes werecompleted. Production has started afterstandardising the flowsheet and opera-ting parameters.

At the Special Materials Plant, sales for1979-80 are expected to exceed Rs 30lakhs. The hyriding-dehydriding methodfor recycling zircaloy scrap has beenadequately demonstrated. Work hasbeen initiated on the fabrication of a180 KW self-resistance sintering fur-nace indigenously. The vacuum systemhas been fabiicated and tested and thecontrol system is expected to be readyshortly.

Based on the experiments done at theSpecial Materials Flant, work has beeninitiated to set up a 20 TPY magnesiumfacility to meet the requirement of theUranium Metal Plant at BARC.

During the financial year, the Seam-less Stainless Tube Plant produced107.36 tonnes of seamless stainlesstubes valued at Rs. 94.2 lakhs.

8

In the Ball Bearing Tube Plant mostof the major items of equipments forpilgering, annealing, material handling,pickling, de-glassing, etc. have beencommissioned and most of the civilworks and utilities have been com-pleted.

Heavy Water ProjectsHeavy Water Plant, Baroda

Revamping and testing of the plantwhich was damaged by the accident onDecember 3,1977 has been completed.Reconditioning of the portion of thepiant not affected by the accident isalso over. The plant was started up onJanuary 28, 1980. Preparations foronstreaming of the various units are on.The plant is expected to be back inproduction in mid-1980.

Heavy Water Plant, Tuticorin

After the Southern Petrochemical In-dustries Corporation had repaired theirammonia plant, the heavy water plantwas started in April, 1979 and pro-

May, 1979. The operation of the planthas been intermittent due to frequentshut downs of the ammonia plant atSPIC, power failures and labour pro-blems. There was a lock-out of theplant for a period of about three months.Onstreaming procedures have beenchanged and modifications are beingeffected to improve the stream factorof the plant.

Heavy Water Plant, Kota

The erection of the main plant and itsauxiliaries is nearly complete. Someof the units of the main plant, com-pressed air units and breathing aircompressors have been tested. Work isin progress for testing of the auxiliariessuch as water pre-treatment plant, D. M.Plant, Nitrogen Generation Unit, Refri-geration Unit and several other units.

It is expected that plant erection andtesting of most of the auxiliaries wouldbe over by November 1980. The plantis likely to go on stream in the lastquarter of 1981.

Manufacture of seamless stainless steel tubes at the Nuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad.

Heavy Water Plant, Talcher

The plant is mechanically ready, andtesting and commissioning work is inprogress. As the power supply to theFertiliser Corporation of India hasvirtually stopped since February 1980the work could not be completed. Theplant is now under a blanket ofnitrogen for preservation. When powersupply is resumed to FCI and synthesisgas is made available to the plant,it is expected to become operationalwithin a period of 6 months.

Atomic Minerals DivisionUranium InvestigationPurvey and Exploration : Around 21,000sq. kms were covered by reconnaisance,radiometric surveys and about 1800route km were covered by jeep-bornescintilometer.

Significant radioactivity has been re-corded over a strike iength of 1000 mat Jublatola near Jaduguda in Singh-bhum district, Bihar; the Gairikhola-Timpu khola-Tek areas of Darjeelingdistrict, West Bengal, and at Paniyali inthe Kanga basin of Hamirpur districtHimachal Pradesh.

Uranium mineralisation was recorded atParbing, Maniram, Bhanjan and Gomphaareas of Sikkim.

At Timli on Saharanpur-Timli-Dehradunroad, encouraging uranium values rang-ing between 0.013% and 0.079%eU3O8 were detected over an intermit-tant strike length of 1 .5 km, the radio-active band ranging from 6 m to 500 inin length and 1.5 m to 2 m in thickness.

Interesting uranium occurence has beenlocated at Brijrani Gad near Ingedinala,Tehri district, Uttar Pradesh with valuesranging from 0.029% U3O8 to 0.075%U3OS having negligible thorium.

Jenjalnala, Ringinala, Ganol, Didarinalaand Darugiri areas of Garo Hills districtof Meghalaya have shown good indica-tions of uranium with values rangingbetween 0.034% and 0.64% eU3O8with negligible thorium, except thosefrom Jenjalnala and Darugiri areasduction of heavy water commenced in

Exploratory drilling in Siwaliks by the AtomicMinerals Division.

where uranium is associated with thor-ium values ranging from 0.032% to0.082% ThO2.

During aerial surveys from Nagpurbase, about 16,000 line km werecovered in parts of Durg, Bastar, Raipurand Rajnandgaon districts of MadhyaPradesh by indigenously fabricated gam-ma-ray spectrometer and proton pre-cession magnetometer fitted on boardDC-3 aircraft of the National RemoteSensing Agency, and an aeromagneticmap of the area has been prepared.

More than 20,000 m of drilling wascarried out at different prospects inRajnandgaon and Sarguja districts,Madhya Pradesh, Singhbhum district,Bihar; Hamirpur district, Himachal Pra-desh; Khasi and Garo Hills districts,Meghalaya and South Kanara district,Karnataka.

in Bodal.the drilling so far has establish-ed the uraniferous mineralized zone

over a strike length of 990 m with anaverage thickness of 1.20 m.

Exploratory underground development:Sinking of the main vertical shaft wascontinued at Bodal, Rajnandgaon di-strict, Madhya Pradesh; Gamma-raylogging cf the ore zone has indicatedan ore body of 3.60 m width anti 0.10%eU3Os grade. About 90 tonnes of orehas been produced incidental to dev-elopment mining.

At Jajawal, Sarguja district, MadhyaPradesh, Adit No. 1 has already met thesubsidiary mineralized zone with valuesranging from 0.01% to 0.04% eU3O8.It is expected to meet the main orezone shortly.

Three adits at Astotha in Hamirpurdistrict, Himachal Pradesh have progr-essed to 82.50 m, 69.50 m and6.00 m lengths respectively.

Thorium and Rare EarthsInvestigations

An aggregate coast length of 44.5km in Quilon and Trivandrum districtsof Kerala; Kanyakumari district, Tamil-nadu and Krishna and Guntur districtsin Andhra Pradesh were surveyed andinvestigated in detail. In addition, pro-venance studies were carried out in thecatchment area of Velliyar, Pasalayarand Kodayar rivers in the hinterland ofManavalakurichi deposit in Kanyaku-mari district, Tamil Nadu and minera-logicalgeocnemical studies were carriedout of Varkallai beds in the Trivandrumdistrict, Kerala.

Niobium-Tantalum and BerylliumInvestigations

Investigations for location of new sou-rces of niobium-tantalum, and recoveryoperations at known deposits, werecontinued in Bihar, Karnataka, Rajasthan,Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.Asa result 11.11 tonnes of columbite-tantalite was produced.

An area of 2150 sq. km was surveyedin these States for location of additionalresources of the minerals. Promising

indications are available from Monghyrdistrict, Bihar and Marlagalla in Mysoredistrict, Karnataka. Surveys for locatingnon-pegmatitic sources of niobium-tantalum minerals in Andhra Pradesh,have also given indications of promisingarea around Kanigiri in Prakasam districtwhere assessment work is being under-taken. Prospecting efforts in Bihar,Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh resultedin proving or over 10 tonnes of colum-bite-tantalite.

3.338 tonnes of tantalite ore analysing39.5% Ta,O3 was supplied to theNuclear Fuel Complex, Hyderabad.

32.69 tonnes of beryl (including 0.353tonnes of beryl churi), was stock-piledduring the year. This quantity included3.423 tonnes produced departmentally.

Helium Investigations

Detailed geological and structural map-ing, collection of helium gas samplesand thermal measurements of hotsprings at Tantloi in Bihar, and Bakres-war in West Bengal were continued forassessment of their helium potential.14 thermal springs in parts of San thaiParganas and Hazaribagh districts, Biharwere also investigated. Helium valuesin the gas samples collected from thesesprings range from 0.14 to 21 ppm.Analytical results of soil gas samplescollected from Tantloi in SanthalParganas district and Surajkund inHazaribagh districtof Bihar had indicatedencouraging helium values ranging from8.8 to 82.8 ppm.

With the installation of a new vacuumpump, it is now possible to treat allthe raw gas at Bakreswar. Semipurifiedgas produced at Bakreswar analysesaround 70% helium at around 75%recovery.

Research and Development

Instrumentation /Software package con-sisting of computer programme bothon COBOL and FORTRAN IV for pro-cessing of magtape data obtained duringhigh sensitivity gamma-ray spectro-meter and magnetometer airborne sur-

10

veys, has been developed. The pro-gramme takes into account data valida-tion, correction, and final presentationin the form of stacked profiles andcontour maps of different parametersviz. total gamma-uranium, thorium andpotassium contents and their ratios:U/Th, U/KandTh/K.

Mult-tube approach was adopted forgeochemical analysis in X-ray fluore-scence by using as many as five tubeswith Cr, Mo, Ag, W and Au targets.The laboratory also developed simple.

precise, rapid and non-destructive an-alytical technique for estimation of agroup of 21 trace elements in silicaterocks ranging from ultramafic to felsicand estimating major elements like Nb,Ta, Fe and Mn in columbiteiiantalite.

Collaboration

Besides collaboration with sister organi-sations in the country, the Divisioncontinued work under the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency on the followingresearch contracts :

(a) Study of Factors Controlling Forma-tion of Sandstone Type UraniumDeposits in India, and

(b) Bacterial Leaching of Uraniumfrom Ores.

The Division is also collaborating in anumber of projects under the UNESCO-sponsored International Geological Co-relation Programme.

Studies were carried out on a beachsand sample from the Republic ofGambia.

11

RESEARCH ANDDEVELOPMENT

Bhabha AtomicResearch Centre

Nuclear, Solid State & NeutronPhysics

An experiment to look for "poly-neutron"—a possible nucleus composedof neutrons only—in the fission on236U was carried out using 85,8'Rband natural Pb as probes. An upperlimit on the existence of such an objectin the fission product yield was estab-lished. Intensive theoretical work wascarried out in a vast range of topics,namely: investigations of fast movingnucleons in the nucleus, interaction ofpi-mesons with the nucleus, heavy ioncollisions at high energy, cluster knock-out reactions, strongly damped heavyion collisions, nucleus nucleus andnucleon-nucleus interaction potentialsand nuclear structure on f-p shellnuclei.

Extensive experimental studies of lightcharged particle (LCP) emission inneutron-induced fission of 23SU andspontaneous fission of 252Cf werecarried out. Analysis of these experi-mental results has provided j importantinformation regarding the nature ofnuclear motion during the fission pro-cess. A series of separate but inter-related theoretical investigations weretaken up to explore the dynamics offission in greater detail. These includeeffect of dissipation forces, statisticaltheory of fission, a new model of massdistribution based on nucleon exchangemechanism and fission barriers. Ex-periments in the new research area ofproduction and study of exotic surfacealloys, using ion implantation, laser an-nealing and Rutherford back-scatteringanalysis techniques were performed.

The laser Raman scattering experimentsare being used to determine the orderparameter for various order-disordertransitions. The techniques are alsoaimed at studying rotational correlationsin cyclohexane and liquid solution ofCS2 and cyclohexane. A 80 mW He-Cdlaser was fabricated and installed withthe Raman spectrometer to enhance theexperimental facilities.

Polarised neutron diffraction studieswere undertaken to investigate magneticmoment distribution in dilute alloys ofruthenium as well as anti-ferromagneticmaterials. Diffraction experiments onmixed Heusler alloys CuxPd2-xMNAIwere carried out.

Phase transition studies in certain liquidcrystal materials were carried out; thesestudies have provided some new in-formation on these processes, especiallysome new phases in which orderingis intermediate to crystalline and liquidcrystalline order.

Theoretical work included study ofelectron momentum density in dis-ordered solids and molten aluminium,taking into account the electron cor-relations. The validity of power—meaninequalities for certain class of operatorsin Hubert space is being examined.

A unified phase diagram based on theelectron band theory description ofmetallic cohesion for transition metalshas been suggested to explain theoccur-rence and stability of the high-pressureomega phase in Group IV transitionmetals like Ti, Zr ana Hf and their alloys.The existence of charge density wavesin alkali metals, which results in theirFermi surfaces being multiply-connect-ed, has been used to explain the ex-perimentally observed large effectivemass of positrons, and the deviationsfrom Mathiessen's resistivity rule inthese metals. A positron annihilationangular correlation experiment using ahigh strength MCu source was setup to study phase transformations inmetallic systems.

The resolution of the neutron powderdiffractometer was improved to enable

texture studies to be made on poly-crystalline samples. The texture of afew U-fuel pellets of the R-5 wereexamined. The indigenous computer-controlled neutron and X-ray singlecrystal diffractometers were used tostudy with high precision several crystalstructures cf biological and pharma-cological importance. A programme wasinitiated to study the distribution ofbonding electrons in organic structuresusing combined X-ray and neutron data.A new pre-synaptic toxin-phospholipaseNotechis 11-5, puiified from Australiantiger venom, was crystallised. The unitcell parameters and the space groupof this new protein crystal to be cry-stallised first in BARC were determined.

Installation of various components ofthe 233U-fuelled Purnima II solutionreactor experiment is nearing comple-tion.

Experimental and theoretical investi-gations on the multiplication of 14MeV neutrons in fusion blanket as-semblies and the study of neutronproduction in low-energy deuteriumfusion plasma pinch experiments con-tinued. A cotton fibre clipped in D.,0was found to give about 10r> neutronsper burst when about 500 joules ofenergy were pumped into it from a fastcapacitor bank.

High Altitude Research

A single optical event of microsecondduration was observed in coincidenceat Gulmarg & Srinagar indicating apossible explosion of a primordial blackhole. Preparations are being made for arepeat-run of the experiment for thedetection of the optical bursts from theprimordial black-hole explosions. Forthis .experiment, a logic system usingTV Isynchronization pulses is beingdeveloped for achieving a relative time-accuracy of about one microsecondbetween Gulmarg and Srinagar.

The experiment to detect 2.5 MeVneutrons from lightning strokes wasset up. Modifications in thesystemare inprogress, including the incorporationof a lightning arrester.

12

The seismograph/microbarograph sy-stem at Gulmarg has been used forstudying possible correlation betweenseismic events and geomagnetic storms.In 1977, twenty-two out of a total offorty-two seismic events were precededby principal magnetic storms by oneday.

Variable Energy Cyclotron (VEC)

The power supply from the West BengalState Electricity Board at the VEC sitecontinued to be erratic throughout theyear. The emphasis has. therefore, beenon setting up a captive power plant ofdiesel generators so that the cyclotroncan be made available to the users.The 2 MVA captive power plant consistsof four 500 kVA diesel generator sets.A prolonged strike at the manufacturer'sfactory delayed the procurement ofthese sets. The plant is now beinginstalled. Power for the cyclotron shouldbe available in the first quarter of 1980.

Other important activities at VEC in-clude installation of the beam transportsystem, fabrication of various researchfacilities required for utilising the cyclo-tron, A new radio frequency systembased on RCA 4648 oscillator tube isbeing built. A new Dee of improveddesign, made at the Central Workshops,BARC, is being installed in thecyclotron. The switching magnet-1 ofthe beam transport system has beenaligned, tested and calibrated. Thesteel core of the 40 tonne analysingmagnet was installed and aligned. Thecoils and the specially designed alumin-ium vacuum chamber are ready. Othercomponents of the beam transportsystem, such as quadrupole magnets,Faraday cups, collimating slits, beamviewers etc. are being fabricated.

A 915 mm scattering chamber is ready.A number of small (15 mm2) areasilicon surface barrier detectors andsome large a:ea (150 mm2) detectorsand E (5 microns) detectors werefabricated. Thin targets of a number ofelements were fabricated.

purchased from France. The computerhas been installed, tested and com-missioned.

R-5 Project: Experiments to study cross-flow vibration of guide tube and coolantspray pattern were carried out on areactor vessel model. Rolling procedure,for roiled joints in the reactor vessel,except for two configurations, for rollingat site was worked out and necessaryfixtures for the site work have beendesigned and are being fabricated. Thereactor vessel spray header for coolingthe reactor internals was flow-tested.The performance tests on the prototypeshut-off rod mechanism were continued.Guide tube assembly work was initiated.

The design of on-line fine impulsetesting system for the reactor triplogic was completed. Prototypes ofportable tritium monitor, gamma sensi-tive ionisation chamber for failed fueldetection system etc. were fabricatedand are being tested.

Out-of-pile endurance testing of clustersub-assemblies was continued. Designwork on a new type of cluster withbetter design features was completed.Two clusters of the latest type areundergoing endurance testing. Experi-mental data, particularly on texturestudies, were generated to finalise thequality control procedures for fabricationof fuel. Development work on thefabrication of uranium fuel pins by ex-trusion rolling sequence was taken up.

The mock-up for studying the transientsof the coolant system of the fuellingmachine during on-power fuelling isunder commissioning. Mock-up fabri-cation for stainless steel barrel and chainguide for fuelling machine magazine toestablish manufacturing procedure, andto finalise fixture design for achievingthe required tolerances was completed.Also, a mock-up of bottom sectionof the fuelling machine shielding flaskto finalise the procedures for lead fillingwith minimum distortion in the structureis in the final stages.

A major addition to the VEC laboratory Manufacture of the reactor vessel andis the one mega-byte IRIS-80 computer coolant channel assemblies at the

Central Workshops of the Centre isprogressing satisfactorily. Manufactureof end-shield, annular-shield, deckplates,fuelling machines, heavy water andprocess water heat exchangers, processwater and sea water pumps, heavy waterstorage and dump tanks, helium gasholders, process air compressors, per-sonnel and vehicle air locks, etc, is inprogress at various vendors' works.

Dieselgenerators, water chilling machine,main and auxiliary heavy water coolantpumps, leactor vessel support structure,part supply of motors for sea water andprocess water pumps, large size butter-fly valves, low voltage switch boards,switch gear and ACVR panels werereceived at site during the year.

Stainless steel lining of wet storagefacility and portion of fuel transfertrench in the reactor hall has beencompleted while that of the reactorvault is underway. Erection work ofeffluent piping in the reactor hall,reactor annexe and service building isalmost complete. Training of skilledpersonnel for all sequential installationactivities after the receipt of reactorvessel at site is on. Electrification,airconditioning and ventilation worksfor the reactor and service buildingsand attached laboratory are in progress.

The reactor building, service buildingand stack civil works are completeexcept for some minor items. Civilworks for the reactor annexe, attachedlaboratory and guide-tube laboratory arenearing completion while work on thefilter house, spent-fuel storage buildingand jetty head modifications is in pro-gress.

The Commissioning Group for the pro-ject was organised and the preparationof detailed design, commissioning andoperating manuals, test sequence dia-grams, test procedures etc. was takenup.

Plasma Physics

The MHD power generation project,wholly sponsored by the Dept. of Scie-nce a nd Tech no logy, a nd jo i ntly e xecuted

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by BARC and Bharat Heavy EiectricalsLtd. has made significant progress. Thecivil works on the laboratory buildingand other support facilities are nearingcompletion at the project site atTiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu. The designof the MHD generator, magnet andconrol system has been completed andprocurement of materials and fabricationof equipment is in progress. The designof a small 10 kW MHD generator testsection, indigenously fabricated, wascompleted; it is in an advanced stageof fabrication for testing at Moscow,under the joint Indo-Soviet CooperationProgramme.

Additional experimental facilities for a500 kW seeded combustion plasma,and a 100 kW seeded argon plasmaare in an advanced stage of fabricationat BARC. A quality control laboratory,comprising a flame test stand and othertest equipment, has been set up fortesting of MHD components. As a partof the MHD material development pro-gramme, plasma spray technology is alsobeing pursued. High current pulsed rela-tivistic electron beams (REB) have a sig-nificant role in plasma heating and fusionresearch. These pulsed electron beamshave also important applications such asintense radiation sources for materialsstudies and development, and for radio-graphic study of very fast phenomena.Using a 375 kV, 3.5 kA, 60 nsec.generator, pulsed electron beams of 10s

watts power were generated and char-acterised. Preliminary experiments onbeam propagation in air were carriedout in the pressure range 10-3 to 1 Torr.The local vacuum electron beam weld-ing machine was tested. This machine,which had been tested at 40 kV, 10kW,to weld 60 mm thick steel in single pass,at a speed of 12 cms/min., has beenused for routine welding of 25 mmthick plates.

Fabrication of the high-voltage, partialvacuum EB welding machine rated at150 kV, 6 kW was completed for finalassembly and testing. The machinewill be useful for precision welding ofmedium-size jobs encounteied in nu-clear and aero-space industries. A 15kW electron beam melting furnace for

ingot melting, built by M/s IBP usingdesigns developed in BARC, successfullycompleted performance tests.

Spectroscopy

The research programmes on the highresolution spectroscopie studies of rareearth atoms and ions, and the spectraof these ions in a crystalline environ-ment were continued. Several newenergy levels of ytterbium and dyspros-ium were identified. The electronic con-figuration for many levels could beassigned on the basis of the observedisotope shifts. Laser excited fluorescencespectra of Prn' doped YPO., and neo-dymium formate were studied.

The high resolution electronic spectralstudies on the diatomic species SiS,Gal, GaH, AIO, NS, PS, PN, SiN, PH +and CuCI were continued. These stud-ies resulted in the identification of newband systems, confirmation of the vibra-tional assignments from isotope shifts,characterisation of the electronic states,identification and characterisation of per-turbations, and construction of potentialenergy curves. Laser excited fluorescencestudies were made on iodine, matrixisolated chlorine and oxalyl chlorideand dimethyl tetrazine. Quantitative in-tensity measurements of the fluore-scence spectra yielded accurate Franck-Condon factors and information on therelaxation processes in the excited state.

The laser Raman and infrared spectraof rare earths oxalates and alkali 12phosphomolybdatesand tungstates wereinvestigated. Vibrational assignmentswere revised for borazine, CF3OF andCF30CI on the basis of normal coordi-nate analysis. A combined normal coor-dinate analysis of fhe borohydrides andborodeuterides of Hf, U and Zr wascompleted, and from the final set offorce constants, the isotope shifts ofseveral other uranium compounds ofinterest in laser isotope separation werealso computed. A cell was fabricatedfor low temperature studies on UFrt.

The programme of analysing specialmaterials that are needed for the elect-ronics, reactor and semi-conductor tech-

nology was continued. During the year,1270 samples were analysed.

An emission spectrographic method em-ploying d.c. arc excitation was develop-ed for the analysis of solar gradesilicon for 14 trace impurities. Thedetection limits attained for the 14trace elements range from 2 to 25 ppm.

A quantitative spectrographic methodwas developed for determining In, La,Nb and Sr in thorium oxide. Previously,a method was developed for the analysisof 28 trace impurities in thoria. Thus,it is now possible to estimate 32 traceimpurities at ppm level in nucleargrade thoria.

Using the X-ray fluorescence technique,a method was standardised for estimat-ing Ce, Pr, Sm, Eu and Gd in high purityneodymium oxalate.

The infrared technique has been em-ployed to determine HDO in H2Owith an improved detection limit. Thev3 band of SFG has been recorded witha CW CO» laser. The opto-acousticsystem fabricated showed that lowdetection limits are possible by thistechnique.

Chemistry

Using flash photolysis, pulse radio lysis,temperature jump and other techniques,the dynamic behaviour of micelles con-taining poly nuclear aromatics, uranyl-organic systems, and ligand exchange inmeta! complexes were investigated. Themechanism of reaction of alkyl iodideswith silver zeolites, which is an import-ant route for fixation of radioactiveiodine in reactor environment, wasestablished and factors affecting thereaction rate were investigated. Diffusionof several monoatomic and diatomicgases through polymer membranceswith and without -(-radiation wereevaluated.

Progress was achieved in the followingareas: Hyperfine interactions in antiferro-magnetic alloys of Fe, Sn and Mn; phasetransition behaviour of Rb2ZnCI4 andNaBF.,; effect of ultra-high pressure on

14

electrical and thermoelectric propertiesof materials; synthesis of some morelaser grade dyes; evaluation of arsenates,phosphates and hydrous oxides asinorganic ion exchangers; radiation graft-ing on polypropylene fibres: high tem-perature thermodynamic data on reactormaterials; kinetics of amine extraction ofuranium; uptake of mercury by hae-moglobin; physico-chemical interactionsin ion floatation; band structure cal-culation of osmium and synthesis andcharacterization of 8 volatile uraniumcompounds.

In the field of applied chemistry, em-phasis has been on: scale-up studiesfor the recovery of gallium from Bayerliquor—over 5 tonnes of liquor wereprocessed to get about 1 kg of gallium;development of blended greases andlubricants for use in tho radiationenvironment of power reactors; singlecrystal preparation of compound semi-conductors— the critical technologyinvolved in the preparation of GaP,CdTe, CdSe etc. was further refined;and development of new biomedicaldevices.

The Chemistry Division, in addition,produced and supplied a variety ofhigh purity compounds for research,besides continuing supply of phosphorsrequired in radiation dosimetry.

The Division maintained close liaisonwith all nuclear power stations andprojects and other industrial units ofDAE for providing technical advice inthe areas of water and steam chemistry,and in the treatment of raw water foruse in boilers and heat exchangers.Apart from these, studies on fuel failureanalysis in TAPS, ' !"l activity datain the PHT system of RAPS-1, sea waterchlorination studies at MAPP, corrosioninhibition treatment of condenser tubesof MAPP and effect of chemical addi-tives in suppressing corrosion in HeavyWater Plants at Baroda, Kota and Tuti-corin, were pursued vigorously. Technicaladvice was rendered on steam chemistryconditions to be maintained in severalthermal power stations of the GujaratState Electricity Board. A large numberof transformer oil samples from working

transformers of TAPS, RAPS and severalState Electricity Utilities were evaluatedto detect any incipient damage to thesystems.

Significant results were obtained in thestudies on: neutron radiation damageof mttals and in paiticular, hydrogenembrittlement of irradiated and unir-radiated stainless steel; oxidation ofzircaloy-4 in high pressure water atelevated temperatures and effect ofburn-up on trapping and subsequentrelease of fission gases from irradiatedfuel pellets.

Analytical Chamistry

Work on more than two thousandsamples of various types involving sixthousand determinations was carriedout during the year.

Development work for the evolution ofsimple and more selective and sensitivemethodsof analysis included: volta metricestimation of molybdenum, an importanttrace element at ppb levels in sea water;a selective method for the estimationof uranium in low grade ores: 14MeVneutron activation analysis of oxygenin aluminium and beryllium, not amen-able to such analyses by conventionaltechniques, and determination of hydro-gen in Al-Li alloys using a moltentin bath.

The on-going basic research programmecovered areas of electrochemistry,thermochemistry, geochemistry, separa-tion and forensic sciences etc.

As a part of an IAEA Research Project,gas chromatographic investigation ofpollutants was undertaken to assess:(a) n-alkane content in textile millenvironments (b) monomer content ofPVC products of household and labora-tory use (c) contents of organic com-pounds in industrial waste water efflu-ents. Under a joint programme withZCH/KFA Julich for evaluation ofanalytical data, programmes for thecalculation of Spearman's rank cor-relation coefficients have been improvedupon.

Radiochamistry

Basic research activities centred on theareas of nuclear chemistry, heavy ele-ment chemistry, complex formation andstructure investigations.

Experimental work was carried out oncharge distribution in the fissionof 24lPu and 213Cm for understandingthe effects of magic shell andnucleon pairing. Studies were initi-ated on the nuclear spectroscopy ofdaughter products of 233U. In thisconnection, separation and purificationmethods for Ac and Fr were standard-ised, and the half-lives of 225Ac and221Fr were determined. Absolute yieldsof fission products in the spontaneousfission of 2HCm and the fast neutronfission of 232Th were measured usingtrack-etch - cum - radiochemical tech-nique. Accurate values were obtainedfor the half-lives of 242Pu, 21IPu, 232Uand 233U using mass spectrometry andalpha spectrometry.

High temperature thermodynamic stud-ies were carried out on the uranium-fluorine system. Studies were carriedout on the thiocyanate and chloridecomplexes of bivalent actinides andlanthanides by solvent extraction. Syner-gistic solvent extraction studies werecarried out on tetravalent and hexa-valent actinides, and the nature of thespecies extracted was investigated.Studies were carried out on the extrac-tion of tetravalent and hexavalent acti-nides by long-chain aliphatic sulpho-xides. Work was started on the radiolyticand flash photolytic studies on theformation and decay of heptavalentplutonium. Physico-chemical investi-gations were carried out on solidcomplexes of actinides using X-ray,absorption spectra and magnetic sus-eceptibility measurements. An EPRmethod for the estimation of microgramquantities of tungsten in uranium wasdeveloped.

The applied research and developmentwork was directed towards the pluton-ium fuels development programme.

Studies were carried out on batchwise

15

preparation of UOo microspheres on200g scale. Work was started on thepreparation of U02-Pu0» microspheres.As part of the programme on chemicalquality control of plutonium fuels,methods were developed for determiningmilligram quantities of plutonium. Anemission spectrographic method wasdeveloped for the determination oftrace metallic constituents in (U, mPu)O2 of different compositions. An electro-thermal atomic absorption method wasdeveloped for the direct determinationof sodium in uranium solution.

A method was developed for determin-ing the concentration of plutoniumin the dissolver solution of spent fuel byisotope dilution alpha spectrometry usingthe indigenously produced 238Pu. Itprovides a viable alternative to theimported enriched 212Pu required forisotope dilution mass spectrometricmeasurements. As part of post-irradia-tion studies on TAPS spent fuel pins,mass spectrometric measurements werecarried out for determining the isotopiccomposition and concentration ofuranium, plutonium and neodymium insamples taken at the nodal points ofTAPS fuel pins. Gamma spectrometricand radiochemical measurements werealso carried out. The data would provideuseful information on isotope correla-tions for checking computer calculationfor burn-up and calibration factor fornon-destructive gamma-scanning forobtaining burn-up. A new technique hasbeen developed for recording differentialalpha radiograph of actinide solutionsusing thin film filters. The feasiblity ofpreparing nucleo pore filters of sub-micron pore size was demonstrated.

Biology 8 Agr icul ture

Basic studies in biology and agricultureinclude bacterial genetics, radio-sensitisation with drugs, thermo-lumi-nescence in photo-synthesis and plantand animal metabolism.

Chemical components are known to beresponsible for electron transport inphoto-synthesis. They are also foundto be responsible for the emission of

energy at low temperatures. One suchchemical is plastoquinone which isparticularly responsible for the glowpeak III, one of the six reported earlier.

The low yields observed in some cropplants are due to low utilisation ofcarbon dioxide. It has already beenreported that the enzyme oxygenase(RuDP) plays an important role Theactive sites of this enzyme were studiedduring the year and some of the residueswere identified.

Some of the groundnut mutants aredeficient in chlorophyll. Studies wereconducted to see how this deficiencyaffects other plant processes whichregulate plant productivity.

Cereals and legumes, which constitutean important source of dietary proteins,are deficient in two of the essentjalamino acids, namely, lysineand methio-nine. Studies on the biosynthetic path-ways were undertaken to find outwhy the seeds are unable to synthesisehigher amounts of these amino acids.

Legumin is a major seed protein oflegumes. The pea legumin was foundto consist of five acidic and five basicsubunits. Foliar application of urea tomung bean during flowering delayedthe break-down of chlorophyll andproteins, thereby increasing the assi-milation of carbon dioxide. Evidencewas also obtained showing that nitrogenfrom labelled urea was incorporatedinto seed protein.

Studies on biological nitrogen fixationand various factors regulating nitrogenassimilation were made.

Glutamine synthetase, the major enzymeinvolved in ammonium assimilation, waspurified from a blue-green alga. Theenzyme is subject to complex regulationby various substances involved in nitro-gen assimilation; Glyoxylate protects theenzyme from inhibition by amino acids.

green algae; the data collected suggestthat sodium is involved in the activationof the enzyme nitrogenase.

Investigations aimed at understandingthe mechanism of genetic recombi-nation(reassortment of heritable char-acters) were continued in the bacteriumE. coli. Data collected indicate thatconsiderably higher levels of the reckprotein (a protein needed for geneticrecombination) are required when re-combination proceeds by the Ree Fpathway compared to the Ree BC path-way in this organism.

Certain bacteria can live with theirviruses by incorporating the geneticmaterials of these viruses into their own.In the studies conducted, bacteria har-bouring such viruses were exposed toother viruses or to the genetic materialof the resident viruses, resulting event-ually in the death of the bacteria. Thiskilling was more pronounced whenthe bacteria were exposed to viralgenetic material than the whole viruses.

The interaction of plants in contrastingsoil types were studied in relation tofertilizers, minerals, pesticides and radio-nuclides, particularly of interest toatomic energy installations.

Studies on the behaviour of transuranicradionuclides in tropical and sub-tropi-cal soils and plants indicated that dis-tribution of americium in leguminousplants follows an acropetal gradient.Greater amounts of americium wereaccumulated by plants when this nu-clide was supplied in cheiated forms.There was a significant reduction inplant uptake of plutonium from majorIndian soil types with addition of com-post.

Accumulation of chromium, an importantindustrial pollutant, was found to behigher in leguminous plants than incereals. Greater quantities of chromiumwere absorbed by plants from lateritesas compared to black soils.

Sodium has been shown to be a re- Mitochondria are the main sources ofquirement for nitrogen fixation in blue- energy. Irradiation resulted in damage

to membranes through changes in thelipid structure.

Immature groundnut seeds showedhigher oil synthesis. Seeds of 7—9 mmsize showed higher oil percentage thanbolder or smaller ones.

Mono and diammonium ortho-phos-phate fertilizers are widely used in India.The efficiency of their transformationproducts as source of phosphorus forcrops was found to be in the followingdescending order : Brushite > New-ber-ryite - Calcium diammonium orthophos-phate -~ Potassium taranakite > Am-monium taranakite.

Rock phosphates have great potentialas fertilizers in acidic soils. Rock phos-phates from four major Indian depositswere treated with compost and addedto acidic soils. This resulted in increasedavailability of phosphorus in the soils.

The effects of pesticides on non-targetorganisms were studied with Savin andTok. At 5 and 10 times the field con-centration. Savin had no inhibitoryeffect on nodulation and plant growth.On the other hand, a marked stimulationof bacterial numbers was observed insoils treated with 10 and 100 times thefield concentration of Tok, while fungiwere slightly inhibited.

Persistence of pesticides such as BHCand DOT in soils can be reduced bypuddling green manure in a black clayloam Hooded soil. Experiments withartificially contaminated soils also show-ed the usefulness of green manure fordecontamination procedure.

Increasing the period of flooding thesoils or repeated amendments withrice straw also decreased the persist-ence. These studies were conductedwith 7 soil types.

Six sorghum varieties representing maleand female lines and hybrids wereexamined for their response to ironstress conditions. The variety 2077-A(male-sterile female line) and the varietyCSH-5 showed distinct mechanism totolerate and recover completely from

chlorosis in 10 days. Furthermore, these2 varieties also reduced the pH of thenutrient medium from 6.4 to 3.8 in 9days and increased it again to about 6.2in another 6 days, which period cor-responded with the onset of chlorosisand subsequent recovery.

The mutants evolved in several cropplants are undergoing tests in Stateand Central Government sponsoredtrials.

Mini-kit trials of TG varieties of groun-dnut were conducted in six statescovering 29 districts. Reports from 361trials with 3 TG varieties were received.The yields were compared with thebest local variety and the results arebeing analysed.

A rice mutant, TR-17, is being testedin Maharashtra and An-hra Pradeshfor final evaluation. Mini kit trials arealso being arranged with rice variety,TR-21,in Andhra Pradesh and TR-23 inKarnataka.

The thick cane mutants of sugarcaneTS-1 and TS-8, consistently showedhigher sucrose content than the popularvariety CO-491 and CO-740 at all thelocations tested. Based on this in-formation, these two mutants have beenincluded in the zonal varietal trial(Peninsular zone) organised by theIndian Council of Agricultural Research.

Yellow bold seeded mustard variety,TM-4, was supplied to over a thousandfarmers in response to their requestsat the Agri-Expo 77 in New Delhi. Theresponse of the farmers to the abovevariety was favourable, with 78% of thefarmers expressing their desire tc culti-vate it further.

Studies were extended for the controlof potato tuber moth using the sterilityapproach. Relative merits in controllingmoth population by releasing only sterilefemales, males and both were studied.Reduction of the population was 44, 79and 70 per cent by the release ofsterile female, male and both sexesrespectively. A spore-bearing bacteria.Bacillus sphaericus was isolated from a

diseased larva of mosquito and wasfound to be highly fatal to larvae of thismosquito in Laboratory and pollutedenvironment in field. Polyhedral virusspecific has been isolated from blackhairy caterpillar, a pest of groundnut.This virus was purified and found to beeffective against the host iarvae.

Bio-Organic Research

As part of the programme of workon the role of natural products in insectcontrol, a number of natural plantproducts were screened for their hor-monal/insecticidal properties using thelarvae of the mosquito species Culexpipens quinquefasciatus as test insect.Withfarin A, Gitoxin and a hydrocarbonfrom Thalictrum were observed to in-duce larval mortality during moulting.Some of the Withanolide compoundsobtained from the roots of the Ashva-gandha plant also produced similarresults. Physalin A and physalin B-epoxide also resulted in low larvalmortality. Among synthetic compoundsscreened for insecticidal properties, dip-henyl trisulfide, EDTA 185, and dibenzyltrisulfide showed activity at 25 ppm.

The morphogenetic and biosyntheticability of tissue cultures establishedfrom diploid and triploid plants of Phy-salis minima was investigated. Diploidand triploid tissues showed a markeddifference in their biosynthetic capabilityto synthesise secondary metabolitesalthough their morphogenetic responsewas the same. Differentiated diploidcallus showed a poor capacity to formtotal physalins as compared to triploidcallus. Physalin D was predominant indiploid callus whereas oil physalinswere detected in significant amount intriploid callus. Mature plants obtainedthrough tissue culture showed the pre-sence of all steroids as in control plantsexcept epoxyphysalin B which waspredominant in tissue culture derivedplants, as compared to control plants.

Nutrient media and conditions werestandardised for the regeneration ofshoot buds in lateral bud cultures of anornamental bromeliad Cryptanthusbromtriocotar. Large numbers of shoot

17

buds which developed in vitro wereestablished into rooted plants.

Fluorescence characteristics of tylopho-rinidine under varying conditions of pHand different concentrations have beenstudied for understanding its interactionand association with proteins andnucleic acids.

Biosynthesis of tylophorine and relatedalkaloids was carried out by administer-ing 5-14C, 2, 3.-13C,, ornithine HCI toTylophora asthmatica plants to investi-gate the exact role of ornithine in thebiochemical pathway of these alkaloids.Also, cell-free extracts of Tylophoraasthmatica were employed in thebiosynthesis of phenanthroindolizidinealkaloids.

Possible biotransformation of preco-cene-l to precocene-ll was studied in Aconyzoides under in vivo and in vitromethods using 14C precocene-l asthe precursor. Precocene-ll isolated didnot show any radioactivity whereasprecocene-l retained most of the activityadministered, thus supporting the in-dependent formation of two precocenes.

Pheromones of the Queen honey-beeand Queen butterfly of Danaus specieswere synthesised.

In a collaborative programme with theCancer Research Institute, samples ofhuman saliva from tobacco chewersare being analysed for their N-nitrosoa-mino acid content. Sensitive analyticalmethods for this purpose were deve-loped.

Studies on the mass spectral frag-mentation pattern and the relative in-tensities of the fragment peaks of the Dring in some 8-dehydrohetero aromaticsteroids were carried out and char-acteristic differences for the cis andtrans isomers were ascertained and wereused for the determination of the stereo-chemistry of thiasteroids, of which onlyone isomer was obtained.

A general synthesis of oxygen hetero-cycles and related compounds whichplay an important role in the chemical

ecology of plants, was developed.Several compounds, many of whichoccur in nature, were synthesised. Radio -synthesis (using 14C, 3H, a5S isotopes)of biologically active compounds likeprecocenes, di-and trisulfides, isothio-cyanates and mevaIonic acid werecarried out. These compounds are re-quired for studies related to mode ofaction and metabolism.

Investigations on isolation of pharma-cologically active compounds, propaga-tion of plants through tissue culturemethods and insect hormones as analternate method of insect control werecontinued.

Juvenile hormone (JH) activity of com-pounds derived from the natural productbakuchiol were determined. Out of the17 compounds tested for JH activity, 2,3-epoxybakuchioil ethyl ether, 2-hydro-xybakuchiol ethyl ether and 2, 3-epo •xybakuchoil propyl ether exhibited ahigh degree of biological activity.

Clof ibrate.a hypocholesterolaemic agent,was tested for its anti-moulting hor-mone action against various devel-opmental stages of the red cotton bugDysdercus koenigii

To explore the role of some pheromonesin their application in the pest controlprogramme, potato tuber moth pherom-one I (PTM-I) was synthesized. Thesynthesis of PTM-II and of cotton pinkboll worm is nearing completion.

Multiplication of sandalwood plantsthrough embryogenesis was pursuedand studies were extended to isolateprotoplasts. Protoplasts were isolatedfrom the callus tissues. Cell wall re-generation and growth of multi-cellularvisible colonies were achieved. Attemptsto regenerate plants from cell coloniesare in progress.

A tissue culture technique for the rapidmultiplication of three exotic intersp-ecific hybrids of Vanda was developed.By suitably manipulating the compon-ents of the nutrient medium, the germi-nation frequency of the seeds, protocormdevelopment and seedling growth could

be enhanced. A large number of seedl-ings were obtained under experimentalconditions, some of which weresuccessfully transplanted to communitypots.

Metabolic studies using 35S-labelleddia My I disulfide revealed that mosquitolarvae rapidly metabolised this com-pound into polar substances and ex-creted them. Sulfates formed a majorcomponent of the polar metabolites.

Pyrolysates at 300'C from the aminoacids lysine, tryptophan and serinewere found to be mutagenic, whilethose from phenylalanine and tyrosinewere not mutagenic.

Ir, UV and NMR spectral analyses werecarried out on approx. 900, 300 and 600samples respectively. Microanalysis forcarbon, hydrogen and nitrogen contentswere carried out on about 600 samples.High pressure liquid chromatogram(HPLC) was installed and methodswere standardised for the separation ofvarious types of organic compounds.

Biochemistry

Research programmes in Biochemistrywere concerned with metabolic altera-tions associated with malignant andpathological disorders, toxicity of variousenvironmental chemicals, deficiency dis-eases and aging. Other studies weredevoted to structure-function relation-ships of proteins and nucleic acids,metabolism of vitamins, hormone actionsand cellular differentiation processes.Efforts have been directed to useenzyr:as for large-scale preparation ofvaluable biochemicals and radio-chemi-cals. For this purpose, techniques suchas immobilization of enzymes are beingstudied in depth.

Significantly elevated lysozyme levelswere observable in the sera of leprosypatients. The results indicate that serumlevels of lysozyme could form a dia-gnostic tool in clinical investigations.The urine of various cancer patientswas found to contain 6-hydroxymethyl-pterin at the levels of 0.3 to 2 .0 ug/mlas compared to that in the normal non-

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malignant subjects which has the ex-cretion levels of the compound around0.11 ug/ml. For the purpose of thisstudy, a convenient and quick methodhas been developed and shows pro-mise as a quick non-invasive cancerdetection test.

Benzo (a) pyrene, a lung carcinogenwhich is often present in the atmos-phere, undergoes conversion to diole-poxide and forms a covalent complexwith DNA. Rateof RNA synthesis in livernuclei derived from benzo (a) pyreneadministered rats was found to decreasesignificantly and this dtcrease persistsfor a long time even after withdrawalof the carcinogen. Conclusive evidenceinvolving radioisotope techniques hasbeen obtained to show that the ratliver cell-sap fraction transforms thepesticide lindane to hexachlorobenzene.Cadmium, a metal commonly used inindustry, was found to induce markedcell killing effect on different types ofspermatogonia, although only a smallpercentage of the administered dosecould penetrate into thetestis. Markedvariability in the mutagenic response toethylmethane sulfonate was observedamong different strains of mice asrevealed by the post-implantation lossesin dominant lethal test. The mutageniceffects of ethylmethane sulfonate weremore marked in mice fed with alcohol.

A protein factor (M.W. 36,000 daltons)mediating the release of vitamin B12from intrinsic factor-vitamin B]a com-plex was isolated from rat Meal brushborder in extensively purified form andcharacterized. Vitamin A, which formsan integral part of rat liver plasmamembrane, seems to be bound to themembrane by a specific binding protein.

During extensive starvation, phospho-rylation of histones in the tissues oftumour-bearing animals showed signi-ficant decrease whereas acetylation ofhistones was markedly enhanced. Thereduction in thymine dimer formation onUV-irradiation of mammalian chromatinin vitro compared to UV-irradiation ofmammalian DNA in vitro could bepartly attributable to extensive cross-linking between DNA and chromosomal

proteins. The respiratory adaptation pro-cess in S. cerevisiae cells during transi-tion from anaerobic to aerobic statewas found to be highly sensitive tovery low doses of gamma irradiationwhich have no effect on cell killing.The lesion in the gamma-irradiation-induced block in respiratory adaptionseems to be in the DNA of promito-chondrial structures. This system of res-piratory adaption was also found to besusceptible to low concentrations ofseveral mutagenic chemicals.

Techniques were developed to cova-lently bind enzymes to insoluble proteiniccarriers like silk and egg-white. A simpleprocedure was developed for the prepa-ration of ( - * - 3 2 p - ) — A T P , GTP, CTPand UTP by carbamylphosphokinase inStreptomyces faecalis.

Radiation Preservation of Food

Gamma-irradiation of potatoes resultedin the induction of phenylalanine am-monia lyase. The induction seems to beat the level of translation, the mRNAfor the enzyme being present in non-poly A fraction. Among other enzymesactivated in potatoes by irradiation arecinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase and en-zymes of lignin biosynthesis. The easewith which the newly formed peridermlayer can be removed in wounded potatotubers may prove to be a useful methodfor identifying potatoes irradiated forsprout inhibition. Increase in oxygensupply and decrease in temperatureimparts resistance to gamma-irradiatedtubers against soft-rot attack. The levelsof reshitin seem to determine the inci-dence of rot in potatoes. At the lowtemperatures obtained i.e. 15°C, thecontent of reshitin was much higherthan at ambient temperatures.

In fifty six-day pre-feeding trials, itwas found that the diet containingirradiated (10 krads) or unirradiatedonions (2 and 1%, dry weight basisrespectively) did not show any adversesigns with respect to stability, accept-ability and nutritional adequacy.

A number of enzymes of carbohydratemetabolism involved in the ripening

process were isolated and characterizedfrom irradiated banana. Osmotically de-hydrated bananas, pretreated with acombination of heat and radiation, exhi-bited overall good texture and oigano-leptic properties as compared to theosmotically dehydrated products fiomuntreated bananas.

Co Id-stored Alphonso mangoes seemto possess an enzyme activity convertingpyruvate to acetaldehyde which has adistinct fruity note; the isolated enzymepreparation could be used to accentuatethe flavour of mango pulp. A procedurefor the long-term storage (about 2months) of Alphonso mangoes withminimal changes in organoleptic qualitieswas developed. It consists of gradualadaptation of the fruits to low tempera-tures, ripening of the stored fruits atoptimal temperature and subsequentholding of the ripe fruits at low tempera-ture. A combination of cool temperature(20°C) and ethereal dip (1000 ppm.15 min) was found to give good yellowskin coloration to Langra mangoes onripening, which otherwise remain green-ish yellow when ripe. The vitamin Clevel in the skins of green as well asripe mangoes was found to be 4 to 6times higher than that of the pulp.Langra showed maximum vitamin con-tent among the commercial varieties.Use of green mangoes with the skin forpickling and chutney preparations canadd to the nutritive value of theseproducts.

Gamma-irradiation effectively inhibitedactivity of K-glucoronidase isolated fromBombay duck muscle; this inhibitioncould be reversed by thiol reagents.Treatment of Bombay duck laminateswith 10% sodium tripolyphosphatescould effectively inhibit cathepsin Dactivity as well as the drip loss. Semi-dried shrimps developed by freeze-drying after dip treatment in 0.5%sorbic acid and blanching in 10% NaCIwere acceptable upto 4 months ofstorage with excellent organoleptic andrehydration attributes. Total volatile acid(VA) value was found to be a reliableparameter for assessing the quality ofboth unirradiated and radurised mack-erel. Irradiation (150 K rad) of mackerel

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did not alter physico-chemical andbiochemical properties of myofibrillarand sarcoplasmic proteins. The loss ofpoly-unsaturated fatty acids was con-siderably less in radiation processeddehydrated mackerel as compared tothe commercial sun-dried samples. Noadverse effect was observed on the bonemarrow chromosomes of rats due tofeeding of irradiated (150 krads) mack-erel (90 days after).

Radioisotopes

The radioisotopes programme made sub-stantial progress during the year and,with the continuing support of BARC'sdevelopmental efforts, applications inindustry, medicine and research madefurther advances. About 1,350 targetswere irradiated in CIRUS and Apsarareactors for isotope production. Over39,000 consignments of radioisotopeproducts were supplied to users in Indiaand abroad.

Primary Isotopes and Radio-chemicals:About .250 batches of various reactor-produced isotopes were processed, in-volving a total activity of 600 curies.A major part of this lot was suppliedfor the preparation of radiopharmaceu-ticals and isotopes like iodine-131,phosphorus-32, chromium-51, molyb-denum-99 etc.

Labelled Agrochemicals: Preparation andsupply of radioisotope labelled agro-chemicals such as superphosphates werecontinued. In all, 23 batches were pro-cessed and 1280 consignments weresupplied to various agricultural researchcentres, including 16 consignments ex-ported to Nigeria.

Self-luminous Sources and Compounds:Tritium gas-filled light source systemswere developed for a variety of applica-tions and supplied for field trials. 200tritium gas filled light sources of differentshapes and sizes, with a total activity of100 curies were prepared for liquidcrystal display systems and other appli-cations. The supply of promethium-147activated self-luminous compoundsamounted to about 1.6 kg.

Radiation Sources: Use of sealed radia-tion sources of cobalt-60 and iridium-192, in medicine, industry and researchincreased considerably. The supply ofsealed sources of cobalt-60 amounted to2,45,000 curies. About 660 radio-graphy sources of iridium-192 with anactivity of 7,800 curies, 300 consign-ments of other sealed sources like gold-198, antimony-124, cobalt-60, cerium-141, mercury-203 and antimony-beryl-lium neutron sources were supplied tooutside users. Besides these items,over 250 low-level alpha, beta andgamma sources for applications in thecalibration of instruments, nucleonicgauging, smoke detection, Mossbauerspectrometry etc. were also supplied.

Development of tin-119 Mossbauersources as calcium and barium stannateand stannic oxide is in progress. Settingupof a facility for large-scale preparationof americium-241 ceramic sources wastaken up.

Some 36 tritium targets prepared byabsorbing tritium gas on a titaniumlayer on copper backing were fabricatedand supplied to researchers in thecountry.

Fission Products: The sequential sepa-ration flow-sheet developed for thepreparation of long-lived isotopes suchas caesium-137, strontium-90 etc. wastried successfully at curie levels; amethod for the separation of the short-lived barium-140 from pile irradiateduranium using manganese dioxide asexchanger was developed.

Radiopharmaceuticals: The radio-Pharmaceuticals programme includes theproduction and supply of a wide rangeof radiopharmaceuticals, provision ofspecialised services and training, andthe development of new products formedical applications. The productionactivities covered the supply of over28,000 consignments of thirty differentradio-pharmaceuticals, to over 145 users.Radiopharmaceuticals were also export-ed to Australia, Denmark and France.Radioimmunoassay (RIA) : productsand kits developed at BARC have beenused in 25 centres for carrying out over

8000 investigations, such as estimationof triiodothyronine, thyroxine, insulin,human chorionic gonadoiropin, humanplacenta lactogen, human growth hor-mone etc.

Civil works on the new Radiopharmaceu-ticals Laboratory Project in New Bombayare expected to be completed bySeptember 1980.

Carbon-14 and Tritium Labelled Com-pounds: Production of various carbon-14 and tritium labelled compounds, anddevelopment of methods for the synthe-sis of additional labelled compounds foruse in biochemical research was con-tinued. Methods were developed forthe synthesis of pyruvate-MC, glyoxalicacid-^'C-plant hormone, indole aceticacid-2- l4C and some important radio-chemicals like<<-ketoglutaric acid-14C.

Industrial Applications

Radiotracers: In collaboration with theR & D centre of the Steel Authority ofIndia Ltd., (SAIL), the scope of radio-tracer applications in steel making isbeing expanded. The task force appoint-ed for this purpose has identified specificproblems at each of the steel plants ofSAIL where radioisotope techniquescould be fruitfully applied.

Hot cell in the Isotope Division of the BhabhaAtomic Research Centre.

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As part of this programme, radiotracerinvestigations were carried out at theBhilai Steel Plant to estimate the slagcontent in molten metal ladles. Follow-ing the successful demonstration of thetechnique, similar investigations willbe undertaken by the personnel of steelplants in future.

A suspected leak in a tyre manufacturingplant near Delhi was checked usinga radiotracer technique. About 100millicuries of short-lived bromine-82(half-life: 36 hrs.) were used in theinvestigation. Trie sensitivity of the leakdetection technique was also demonst-rated by simulating a leak in the system.

Hydrology: Flow measurements usingradiotracers weie carried out at anirrigation canal in collaboration with theMaharashtra Engineering Research in-stitute, Nasik. Discharge measurementsin Beas river in the Himalayan foothillsare being planned, on a request Fromthe Bhakra Beas Management Board.

The studies on the beneficial effectsof percolation tanks in Maharashtrawere continued in collaboration with theDirectorate of Irrigation Research andDevelopment, Government of Maha-rashtra. The results of the studiescompleted at the Bangarwadi percola-tion tank m Osmanabad district showthat the direction of the percolatingwater flow is towards the irrigation wells,and the wells deriving water from thetop water bearing zone are mainlybenefitted by the tank.

Radiation Sterilisation of Medical Pro-ducts : The ISOMED plant continued tooffer radiation sterilisation services tomanufacturers of medical products,hospitals and the pharmaceutical in-dustry. A total of 2206 cu. metres(7791 cu. ft.) of various medical pro-ducts were sterilised during the year,thus registering approx. 37% increaseover the volume of medical productssterilised during 1978. The processingcapacity of the plant has been increased

Inside view of ISOMED, a plant for radiation sterilisation of medical products at theBhabha Atomic Research Centre.

by adding 82,500 curies of cobalt-60to the source frame during November1979.

Research and development work forextending the scope of the radiationsterilisation technique to pharmaceuticalsubstances was continued. The studiescarried out on chloramphenicol andand tetracycline hydrochloride irradiatedin the solid state indicate the feasibilityof radiation sterilization of their inject-able formulations.

Radiation Technology and Processing:Two Panoramic Batch Irradiators with75,000 curies of cobalt-60 each arebeing installed at Sri Chitra TirunalMedical Research Centre, Trivandrumand Nuclear Research Centre, Srinagar.

Application of wood polymer composites(WPC) for high voltage insulation wastried in collaboration with the WesternRailways. WPC insulators were testedfor high voltage break-down upto 30KV. The initial studies are encouraging.

Dose distribution in the proposed se-wage sludge irradiatcr is being studiedbased on different design concepts.

Radiation Medicine

Nearly 18,000 patients attended theRadiation Medicine Centre during theyear for diagnosis, treatment or follow-up. 56% of the investigations are invivo, where radioactivity, usually in theform of a short half-life generator-produced radio isotope is administeredto the patient, while nearly 27% of thepatients come to the Centre for in vitroinvestigations where radioactive chemi-cals are used in the laboratory only,to find out levels of various hormonesin the patient's blood sample. The restof the patients are either for therapy orfollow-up. The Centre has an in-patientward facility for 12 patients. Duringthe year, 70 patients of thyroid cancer,and 44 patients of thyro-toxicosis weretreated with radioiodine.

Scintigraphy: A good number of re-ferrals to the Centre is for imaging ofvarious organs. Images of organs like

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brain, thyroid, lungs, heart, liver, spleen,kidney and bones are routinely obtainedafter injection of a suitable radio-pharmaceutical. The whole-body skeletalsurvey is found to be very useful fordetecting spread of cancer to the bones.

With the data processing facilities at-tached to the gamma camera, it ispossible to do dynamic functional studieslike blood-flow to brain, liver blood-flow, renogram, blood-flow throughmajor blood vessels etc.

Nuclear Stethescope: With a singlescintillation probe of the type used inthyroid uptake measurement and usuallyavailable in all the nuclear medicinedepartments, it has been possible todetect cardiovascular shunts. In manycases, it avoids expensive and somewhathazardous cardiac catheterisation neededto diagnose such congenital heart de-fects. A collimator has been fabricatedfor these studies in the RadiationMedicine Centre's workshop. An electro-cardiogram gating system has beendeveloped for this single probe formeasurement of myocardial ejectionfraction, which is an index of the pump-ing action of the heart. Both thesestudies can be considered as "appropri-ate technology" development for usein nuclear medicine departments withlimited equipment.

Radiopharmacy: The Centre runs aHospital Radiopharmacy which uses thelargest amount of short half -life genera-tor produced radionuclides every weekin the country to prepare a wide rangeof «"«Tc and »3mln complexes forclinical use in imaging of various organs.On an average, the Centre processes5300 mCi of "mlc every month. Forpreparing many of these complexes,ready-to-use sterile lyophilised kits aredeveloped at the Centre.

Two new complexes were developedduring the year: "mTc-MDP for betterbone imaging and 99mTc-antimony sul-phur colloid for lymph node imaging.

Radioimmunoassays: Radioimmunoas-says of thyroid and thyroid stimulatinghormones were carried out routinely for

diagnosis of thyroid functions. Newprocedures were developed for radio-immunoassy of reverse T-3 and myo-globin. The latter assay is useful inearly diagnosis of coronarythrombosis.Radioimmunoassays of thyroglobulin,developed last year continued to yielduseful results.

A new sensitive radioimmunoassay wasdeveloped for tuberculosis antigen,which promises to be diagnosticallyuseful for detecting presence of tuber-culosis in the body. It would be especi-ally useful for T.B. in brain and kidney,for which no other specific diagnosticmethod exists.

Radiometry: The Centre is one of the fewlaboratories in the world engaged inthe application of in vitro radio-re -spirometry in the study of infectiousdiseases. Earlier work had shown theusefulness of this method in finding outsterility of parenteral preparations with-in a few hours. The biphasic liquidscintillation vial was modified further toimprove the counting efficiency upto36%. This method was tried successfullyto determine the antibiotic sensitivityof the microbes in chronic urinaryinfections. The results could be obtainedin a few hours instead of the days takenby the conventional method. Work is inprogress to determine antibiotic sensiti-vity infections with tubercle bacilli.

Thyroid Disorders: The largest referralto the Centre is of patients with thy-roid disorders. Apart from renderinginvestigational and therapeutic help tothese patients, many of the researchprojects at the Centre are also related tothyroid diseases. Alteration in the thy-roid physiology was studied in patientswith infective hepatitis, tetanus andthose undergoing repeated renal dialy-sis. Work on stud ing pathophysiology ofnon-toxic goitres, which appears tohave quite a high incidence aroundBombay, was continued. The mode ofaction of anti-thyroid drugs was alsostudied. The binding of thyroid hormoneat the nuclear level is also underinvestigation. Immunological factorsoperating in thyroid cancer and thepresence of thyroglobulin in blood as

biochemical marker for this cancer wereestablished.

Lung Aerosol Deposition: A high pre-valence of chronic lung diseases in thecountry leaves behind sequela and scarsin the patient's lung, producing chronicobstructive pulmonary diseaes. An aero-sol generate.' developed locally is usedfor depositing labelled aercsol in thebionchial tree for obtaining lung images.Use of labelled macro-aggregates ofalbumin in the same patient showsimages obtained by deposition of radio-activity in lung circulation. The inhalationand perfusion images of the lungs in thesame patient, are together of great helpin diagnosing chronic lung diseases,and even acute conditions like lungembolism.

Liver Metabolism: Work on perfusionof isolated rat liver was continued. Thissystem is used to study pharmaco-kinetics of labelled compounds and ratesof pr( tein synthesis in animal modeis ofhuman liver diseases.

Tropical Eosinophilia: This is a verycommon tropical condition. It waspossible to show by radioisotopic tracerstudies that these patients show markedimmune reactions to filarial antigen.Animal model of eosinophilia wasdeveloped. Eosinophil cells were harvest-ed from these animals and subsequentlylabelled with radioisotopic tracers tostudy the distribution of these cells indifferent animal models.

Radioisotopic tracers play a useful rolein the diagnosis of a wide variety ofdiseases. Radioiodine is very importantin the treatment of thyroid diseases.The greatest role of these tracers is thatthey enable us to know the cause indprogress of diseases, and the Centre istrying to use this research tool in diseasesprevalent in India.

Medicine

The mechanism of specific immuno-suppression in vivo by hetero logusantilymphocyte serum prepared againstimmune cells (ALS-I) was studied.

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Another ALS which specifically sup-pressed, and post-antigenicall/ sup-pressed primary delayed hypersensitivity(D'H) response to SRBC was alsodeveloped. This ALS, called ALS-CMI,suppressed only cellular response. WhileALS (I) showed activity against theanti-body forming cells as well as Bmemory cells, ALS-CMI appears tospecifically suppress T-effector (DH)cells. Lymphocytes of AKR mice wereearlier reported to possess a receptor forrabbit red blood cell.. (RRBC). Inanother strain of mice, CBA also, theRRBC rosette forming cells were detect-ed and quantitated. These cells havebeen identified as T-cells by surfacemarker and enrich;nsnt methods. Further,they constitute only a sub-populationof mouse T-cells.

Mice immunised with 14-day oldembryos were found to be protectedagainst the grown of the tumour fibro-sarcoma. This immunity could be adopt-ively transferred. Serum factors whichenhance anti-tumour effect of lym-phocytes were also observed.

BCG was found to non-specificallystimulate immune response against tum-ours provided contact between BCGand tumour cells was established.

Similar non-specific stimulation wasalso obtained using allogeneic lym-phocytes or after allogeneic skin graftrejection.

Immunosuppression during the earlyperiod of tumour growth lead to meta-stasis of the tumour, the extent of whichwas related to the degree of immuno-suppression and the magnitude of tum-our load.

Exposure to high doses of X-radiationof thymic region of neonatal micecaused very high incidence of wastingdisease one year after irradiation.These mice had the normal level oflymphocytes but substantial increasein the number of granulocytes. Humoralimmune response to BSA was notaffected. However, the duration of thehigh zone tolerance to BSA followingsingle neonatal injection was prolonged.

These animals interestingly developedsevere loss of muscle power and toneof hind limbs resembling myastheniagravis in humans.

Time-controlled studies on X-irradiationand protective «ffect of 5 hydroxytryptamine (5HT) on reproductive per-formance of male and female mice werecarried out. 5 HT afforded protectionagainst radiation damage to the sper-matogonic cell types. Low dose X-irradiation (40 R and 80 R) was givento female mice at various intervals afterselection in the "heat of estrus". Radio-sensitivity continued to increase bet-ween 48 and 96 hrs of the estrus cycle,in 40r group. Maximum damage wasobtained to the 4th crop of developingovarian follicles. Irrespective of stageof estrus cycle at irradiation, significantprotective effect of 5HT was scoredagainst 80R, when 5HT was givenprior So irradiation. Post-irradiationadministration of 5HT was also pro-tective.

Flow cytophotometry is being used toprobe heterogeneity among leucocytesduring leukaemic development. Leuco-cytes from peripheral blood and bonemarrow aspirates of 22 chronic myeloidleukaemia patients and 8 acute lym-phoblastic leukaemia patients wereanalysed with flowcytophotometry.Staining with DNA specific stain pro-pidium iodide could discriminate thefraction of cells in proliferation. Thisfraction correlated well with the fractionof immature cells estimated by routinecytological examination. Staining withmetachromatic dye acridine orange wasfound to be useful in probing theactivation of leucocyte population.

Metal lurgy

Programmes on special materialsdevelopment, materials science research,and materials behaviour in relation toreactor programmes are being carriedout. Current R & D projects include thedevelopment of boron carbide, hafnium,niobium, beryllium, the rare-earths andtheir alloys and high temperature cera-mics. Basic and applied research activi-ties were continued in the physical

and mechanical metallurgy and corrosionbehaviour of reactor materials.

During the year, significant progresswas made in the construction of theBeryllium Pilot Plant. Design,fabricationand procurement of equipment/machi-nery is progressing satisfactorily. Theproduction programme on graded boroncarbide powder and boral sheets wascontinued for supplies to TAPS andthe R-5 project. Arrangements have beencompleted for graphite coating of 600zircaloy fuel tubes for fabrication ofgraphite lubricated fuel bundles. Incollaboration with the Ore DressingSection and the Chemical EngineeringDivision, the salt roasting of nickelsulphide concentrate from Jaduguda,in a pilot Herrschoff roaster, is underinvestigation. High temperature thermo-chemical studies with niobium anduranium alloys, and basic studies influid bed reactors were continued.

Studies were carried out on heat treat-ment-microstructure-strength correlationfor pressure vessel steels, phase trans-formations in Nb-Ti, Ti-AI and Ti-Valloys, texture in adjusted uranium,for assessing growth coefficients underreactor-irradiation, and pressure diffu-sion-bonding of zircaloy plates. Newprogrammes were initiated on electronbeam zone-refining for ultra-purifica-tion of metals, diffusion research, posi-tron annihilation studies in normal/irradiated materials, and for the utili-sation of R-5 and VEC facilities formaterials research.

Studies on stress corrosion cracking ofzircaloy-2 fuel tubes have shown thatcracking is specific when rapid thermalcycling occurs in the range 300 to 500°C,simulating the reactor power ramp oc-curence. With respect to corrosionof heat exchanger tube materials likeInconel 600 under conditions simulatingthe steam generators, the currentlyreported phenomenon of "denting" wassimulated in the laboratory. Hydrazineaddition to high temperature water actsboth as chemical deaerator and cor-rosion inhibitor for carbon steel com-ponents such as PHT piping. The dy-namic sea water corrosion loop set

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up at DEED was used for long-termevaluation of corrosion resistant copper-nickel alloy IN838 as material for thedesalination plant.

Sintered rectangular thin fuel plateletsof UO? were developed to the stipulatedspecifications and free of defects. Ex-tensive sintering studies were also carriedout on different compositions in theZrO2-UO2 system to evaluate theirsintering behaviour and phase trans-formations. For high temperature ap-plication in MHD power generationchannels, high density alumina andmagnesia bodies were developed asinsulating materials. The MHD proto-type channel requires brazing of sinteredalumina hexagonal blocks to coppermodules. For this, electro less nickelplating on alumina was successfullydeveloped. Work on the developmentof rare-earth oxide stabilised zirconiaelectrode bodies made significant pro-gress. High density impervious yttria-doped thoria bodies are under develop-ment as solid electrolytes for on-lineoxygen determination in liquid sodium-Radio Metallurgy

Research and development activities inradiometallurgy include: post-irradiationexamination of fuel elements and otherstructural materials from research andpower reactors, studies and develop-ment of plutonium bearing ceramicsand metallic fuel elements for both fastand thermal reactors, and manufactureof experimental fuel elements.

In Radiometallurgy Hot Cells, post-irradiation examination of 18 irradiatedfuel elements from TAPS have so farbeen carried out. Out of these, four werefailed fuel elements. Failure analysiswork was also completed on R-5 testfuel bundle, failed mild steel elbow andspool piece from the pre-heat line ofRAPS-1, a failed fuel assembly channelfrom TAPS rnd stainless steel pipingused in the clean-up system of Tarapurreactor.

Based on earlier extensive studies onproduction of carbide, nitride and carbo-nitride fuels for advanced Liquid Metal

Cooled Fast Breeder Reactor, a 250 kgper year pellet production facility is beingset up. This facility essentially consistsof specially controlled atmosphere glove-boxes housing different equipment need-ed for powder handling and pelletproduction. FBTR dummy pins fabricatedearlier have withstood 2000 hours ofendurance test in flowing sodium at550°C. An Electron Microprobe Analy-ser was commissioned to carry outstudies on both unirradiated and ir-radiated fuels and also failure analysisinvestigations.

A 6-rod prototype (JO2 fuel clusterfabricated in the Radiometallurgy Divi-sion was successfully irradiated in thePressurised Water Loop of CIRUS.Fabrication of another batch of mixeduranium plutonium oxide fuel elementsfor further experimental irradition studieswas completed. An important featureof this irradiation programme is inclusionof a fuel element containing 'densifica-tion resistant' pellets which are expectedto show improved dimensional stabilityduring reactor operation. Investigationsare being continued on the preparationof controlled micro structure oxide pelletswith bigger grain sizes.

Ore Dressing

A flowsheet was developed for theproduction of molybdenite concentratefrom copper ore from Rakha, Bihar.

A process for the recovery of rhenium,a valuable metal, from the molybdeniteconcentrate produced in the By-productsRecovery Plant, Jaduguda was alsosuccessfully developed.

A chloridising-roasting method wasdeveloped for the recovery of nickeland copper as soluble salts from thenickel-copper sulphide concentratesproduced in the By-products RecoveryPlant, Jaduguda. The mechanism ofroasting, the reaction kinetics and theoptimum parameters of roasting wereestablished.

Detailed mineralogical study of Rakhaand Mosabani copper ores of Biharrevealed the presence cf minor to trace

quantities of minerals of valuable metalssuch as copper, nickel, cobalt, tellurium,selenium, bismuth, silver and gold.Investigations are progressing on thefeasibility of recovering nickel, cobaltand other metals as by-products fromthese ores.

Special Materials

Studies were continued on the extrac-tion and refining of ttiorium and tita-nium; separation of stable isotopes; pre-paration of scintillation chemicals, label-led compounds and sulphur hexafluorideand feasibility studies on the recoveryof helium.

Based on pilot-plant operation, workon the development of a process foirecovery of thorium from concentratesand its purification by direct solventextraction was completed. The pilot-plant scale dissolution set-up for therecovery of thorium from scrap generatedin the production of sintered thoriapellets in the Atomic Fuels Division wasoperated, and pure thorium nitrate solu-tion was obtained by solvent extraction.A pilot-plant scale distillation set-upwas installed to study the recoveryof nitric acid from raffinate obtainedafter solvent extraction. Work on heliumpurification and analysis of heliumcontent in various gas samples wascontinued. Studies were initiated on thechemical beneficiation of Indian ilmeniteand the production of synthetic rutile.Work was taken up on the design ofa new plant for producing pure thoriumnitrate in the Thorium Plant atTrombay,starting from the concentrate using thesolvent extraction process.

Studies on the separation of stableisotopes of boron, nitrogen, argon etc.were continued. Based on experimentalstudies, the technical feasibility of se-parating helium and neon by thermaldiffusion technique was established. Asecond exchange distillation columnwas installed for obtaining higher en-richment of boron-10. Studies werecontinued on the separation of boronisotopes by ion exchange.

Prepartion of deuterium labelled com-

24

pounds and scintillation chemicals,PPO (2:5 Diphenyloxazole) and POPOP(1:4 Di 2:5 Phenyl-oxazolyl-benzene)was contined o meet the requirements ofvarious units of the Department and otherresearch organisations in the country.

The work of installation of a sulphurhexafluoride pilot plant is in progress.This facility will increase_,the scale ofproduction of sulphur hexafluoride andwill demonstrate the technical andeconomic feasibility of the procesb.

In the Uranium Meta! Plant, productionof uranium metal was continued formaking fuel elements for CIRUS. Inconnection with the expansion of theplant for meeting the requirement offuel for R-5, procurement of materialfor fabrication is almost complete andfabrication work has started. Processdevelopment work for the disposalof effluents and recovery of byproductsis being carried out.

As part of the work on process develop-ment for separation of rare earths,two pr. cesses — one for the purificationof europium and the other for the strip-ping of rare earths directly with oxalicacid from loaded organic solvents,were successfully tested, first on alaboratory scale, and later on a pilotplant scale. Starting with a concentratecontaining only 0.5% europium, by aselective reduction and precipitationtechnique, a product of better than99.9% purity could be obtained. Theoxalic acid stripping method is a costsaving method applicable for many ofthe liquid extraction systems.

For the study of rare earths basedcatalysts, necessary facilities have beenassembled and experimental work isprogressing.

A process was worked out for the re-covery of copper and nickel as sulphatesfrom the copper-nickel sulphide con-centrate being produced as a by-product at the Jaduguda Uranium Mill.This process is to follow the salt-roastaqueous leach method developed in theMetallurgy Division for solubilising thesemetals.

A procedure for preparing calcium ionsensitive and copper ion sensitive elect-rodes was established. These elect-rodes are being tested for variousanalytical applications.

Reactor Control

Major items of work in this area duringthe year include the following:

Sodium Pump Speed Control Systemfor FBTR: Out of the remaining threecontrol systems for the primary andsecondary coolant pumps, two systemswore fabricated and lab-tested.

R-5 Reactor Control System. Interlocksystem for the fuelling machines andthe Emergency Core Cooling Systemwere fully designed. Assembly of thislatter system is in progress.

Antenna Servo Systems : Two antennaservo systems for the Master ControlFacility of the Dept. of Space weredesigned and fabricated. These unitswill be employed for tracking the IndianNational Satellite-I (INSAT-I).

Electronic Computing Kit for the CWSContourograph: The system incorpora-ting a Micro-2000 programmable cal-culator and a magnetic card reader wascommissioned at the Central Work-shops.

Computer-assisted X-ray TomographyScanner (CAT): A micro-computer-based X-ray scanning system withfacilities for linear and angular movementof the test object and X-ray photoncounting for specified interval wasdeveloped for obtaining projection dataon test objects. Computer programsfor obtaining reconstructed pictures onTDC-316 were developed. Furtherdevelopment is continuing.

Silicon Solar Cells : Six solar panels,each capable of delivering 2.2 watts ofpower, were fabricated for fully power-ing the Rohini Technological Payload ofSLV-3 launched from SHAR in August1979. Another experimental panel is inorbit on board Bhaskara.

Reactor Engineering

Most of the R & D work related to thepower reactois and the research reactornndei construction and at various. tagesof design. Some of the major activitiesare as foliows:

Component Analyst' sand Testing; The-oretical and experimental investigationswere carried out to ensure that reactorcomponents and equipment will adequ-ately perform the intended functionsand to perfect procedures for operation,maintenance and repair work. Stressanalysis of an epoxy model of the Cal-andria for the NAPP was canied outwith internal pressure and externalmechanical forces at the nozzle location.Fatigue performance of end-fittingbellows for NAPP and the wear ofin-board bearings under simulated forceswere examined. Theoretical stress analy-sis for the pressure hG using of NAPPfuelling machine was carried out. Flowand pressure drop characteristics ofNAPP end-shield were experimentallyestimated using a model. The pumpingpower for and the heat transfer char-acteristics of NAPP end-shield wereexperimentally estimated using a model.The pumping power and the heattransfer characteristics of NAPP end-shield cooling were theoretically examin-ed. Stress analysis of the bottomplenum and mathematical modelling forseismic analysis of R-5 reactor was com-pleted. A number of computer codeswere developed for stress analysis.

The pump test facility was modifiedand the coolant pump for the MAPPwas tested at normal operating condi-tions for 300 hrs. A facility to test theNAPP coolant pump is being set up.Indigenously made eductors,. compres-sion tube fittings for R-5, mechanicalseals and disposable type resin im-pregnated porous paper filters used inheavy water reactors were tested aftersetting up suitable test facilities. ForMAPP reactivity mechanism, sevendrive mechanisms and fourteen motorunits were tested. A full-scale test rigfor the development of liquid poisonshut-off system for NAPP is beingset up.

25

Debugging, pre-commissioning and ac-ceptance testing of two fuelling machineheads for MAPP were carried out andthese machines were sent for installationat site. Three fuelling machine ramassemblies were also tested and somefaults in them rectified. A contactlessencoder for monitoring fuelling machineram position was designed and tested.Integral Thermal Facility is being com-missioned in order to carry out extensivetesting of certain equipment for powerreactors.

Design of Reactor Components andSystems: Using a half-scale mock-upof R-5 Calandria, all the spray nozzleswere calibrated. Verification of geometryand orientation of spray nozzle werealso carried out. Procedures were establi-shed for making and testing of rolledjoints for R-5. Fabrication cf most of theR-5 components is nearing completion.

Fuel Design & Development: Testingof fuel for the R-5 reactor and forTarapur reactors was carried out. Workon setting up a 2 MW fuel irradiationloop in R-5 reactor,facilitiesfor shieldingexperiments in Apsara, and modificationof ZERLINA for experiments with pluton-ium fuel was done.

Thermal Hydraulics: Work in this areainvolves theoretical and experimentalanalysis of heat transfer and fluidmechanics in reactor systems and as-sociated components. Using the 100KW Boiling Water Loop, dry-out experi-ments were conducted with weldedand seamless tubes and the results werecompared with different correlations.Dry-out experiments were done with the10KW freon loop. Work on setting upthe 1 to 3 MW Boiling Water Loop wascontinued. The feasibility of using piezo-electric and strain gauge load cells formeasuring blow down flow rates wasexamined by carrying out single phaseblow down experiments. As part of theanalysis of the Emergency Core CoolingSystem for NAPP, hydraulic networkanalysis was carried out. Thermal hy-draulic analysis of shut-off rods andadjuster rods for R-5 reactor was carriedout. Response time of thermocoupleswas measured. Thermal hydraulic analys-

is for the reload fuel for TAPS and forthe solid storage surveillance facilityat Tarapur were done.

Water Chemistry Studies : Performanceof gas strippers was studied and adesign correlation for such stripperswas evolved. A number of alloys andmetals were examined to find out theirsuitability for use in sea water.

Nuclear Economics & Fuel Cycle Studies:A preliminary examination of the fuelreprocessing and fuel fabrication aspects,and the impact of thorium-fuelled self-sustaining heavy water reactors on thegrowth of total installed nuclear capa-city was carried out. Work on writingcomputer codes for static and kineticanalysis of thermal reactors was done.Computer codes for optimisation usinglinear programming and non-linear pro-gramming techniques were developed.Relative economics of once-throughnatural uranium fuel cycle in heavywater reactors, plutonium recycle inheavy water reactor and fast breederreactor was examined at different naturaluranium prices.

Reactor Physics

The integral transform method wasextended to treat the energy dependentneutron transport problems in two andthree dimensions, and thereby obtain thefundamental mode decay constants forsmall pulsed systems.

The Fouriertransform method for treatingthe homogeneous integral equation ofslowing down of neutrons in a uniformhomogeneous mixture of moderator andabsorber atoms was developed fortreatment of resonance absorption inreactors. In this connection, it wasfound that the class of admissiblefunctions to which the Fourier trans-formed flux belongs has to includedistributions in the sense of Schwartz.

A method for analysing reactor coredisassembly was devised. Its non-equilibrium hydrodynamic model wasbased upon two phase flow equations,permitting the exchange of mass, mo-

mentum and energy between the twophases.

A number of reactor kinetics codes forsafety analysis of TAPS and PHWRswere developed.

Laser-Induced Fusion: Some theoreticalaspects of laser-induced fusion wereinvestigated employing the hydro-dy-namics model developed earlier. Thecompression, heating and the sub-sequent neutron production in sphericafDT pellets were studied for various laserprofiles.

Statistical Physics: An exact analysis ofan interesting non-equilibrium second-order phase transition exhibited by asystem of two-level atoms driven by aclassical field was carried out.

TAPS: The fuel management servicefor both the units of TAPS was provided.Nuclear criticality studies to increasethe number of spent fuel storagelocations in TAPS were carried out. Themeasured isotopic composition of ura-nium and pluto-nium of an irradiatedpin of TAPS were analysed usingcomputational methods developed, andwere found to be in good agreement.

RAPS: The follow-up of the RAPS-!reactor operation was carried out onregular basis. Analysis of the failedfuel data of RAPS-I was carried outto find out whether any fuel failure isconnected with the reactor physicsaspects of the operation.

Experimental Reactor Physics

Development experiments for the R-5Project were completed, the last groupof experiments being boration homo-geneity measurements using the CIRUSreactor, and gadolinium depositioneffects and fuel substitution experimentsusing ZERLINA.

Experiments were performed at CIRUSto develop a noise-analysis techniquefor measuring primary coolant f low ratein power reactors, this study will becontinued using the RAPS-1 reactor.Experiments were prepared for spectrum

26

studies in plate fuel, for coupled-corephysics, and for shielding studies.

Further work was continued for anexperimental programme to be per-formed in ZERLINA to augment theavailable data base for testing reactoranalysis codes, with special emphasison the physics of plutonium utilization.

Theoretical work, including setting upof codes, was continued under acontract with the International AtomicEnergy Agency to evaluate nuclear datarelated to thorium utilization, and anumber of completed evaluations weresubmitted to the Agency.

Reactor System Analysis andEngineering Safety

Thermal Hydraulics and Safety: Existingcomputational codes are being inte-grated to develop analysis capabilityfor reactor systems under design,balanced and unbalanced, part-loadas well as faulted conditions. Safetycodes for blow-down, core heat-upand reflood conditions are beingdeveloped. Analysis of power plantsand power systems cycles for steadystate and transient conditions was takenup. An experimental program for valida-tion of safety codes and design ofexperiments was also taken up.

Plant Dynamics and Simulator Project:Detailed dynamic models for primarysystem, steam generator and nuclearturbine were completed. Some of thesoftware packages for the project werealso completed. Detailed dynamic an-alysis of power systems and powersystems cycle was taken up.

Radiation Shielding: Several of theshielding codes are being continuouslyupdated and used in the design andanalysis of shielding for R-5, andalso the power reactors.

Nuclear Steam Generators : A detailedprogramme of thermal and mechanicaldesign of nuclear steam generators isunderway. An experimental programmefor validating the design with a scaled-down-thermal analog has been taken up.

Roactor Operations & Development

The reactors CIRUS (40 MW), Apsara(400 KW) and ZERLINA (100 W),operated satisfactorily. The areas ofutilisation of these reactors included:Agricultural research; basic research;reactor related research, e.g. fueldevelopment; instrumentation; nucleardetectors and lattice investigations; non-destructive testing (neutron radio-graphy); and isotope production.

Design development and testing forconverting electronic components ofcontrol systems of the three reactors tosolid state system (phase I of the pro-gramme) was completed. Further workis in progress.

Reactor Chemistry

About 20,000 samples were analysedduring the year for maintaining chemicalcontrol on process systems of nuclearreactors. Technical assistance providedincluded determination of isotopic purityof heavy water samples, complete chemi-cal analysis of supply water to NAPP,solving chemistry problems of RAPPheavy water system, testing of indigen-ous ion exchange resins for assessingtheir suitability in reactor systems anddetermination of isotopic abundances insamples received from other organisa-tions. Work on radiation chemistryaspects of reactor materials was con-tinued.

To assist the design of various processsystems of R-5, studies were carried outon evaluation of temperature and otherconditions for pouring molten paraffincontaining boron carbide and depositionof gadolinium nitrate from solution onzircaloy surface etc.

Atomic Fuels and Other Materials

Metallic fuel elements, along with thesub-assemblies, R-5 prototype fuelclusters and uranium fuel elements withmodified chemistry were supplied toCIRUS.

Fabrication of R-5 clusters was under-

taken to meet the requirement of initialflow tests.

Significant quantities of various criticalcomponents were fabricated and deliver-ed. Special mention may be made ofZr-Nb-Cu garter springs, zircaloy flowtubes for MAPP II, brass wave guidesto ECIL and nitrided components forNAPP.

Fabrication parameters for supply ofTAPS control blades were finalized andthe prototype will be delivered shortly.

Fabrication technology was developedfor 22-element split-spacer fuel bundlesfor NAPP. Technology of vacuumcoating of beryllium and inductionbrazing of spacers, fabrication of thenecessary intricate tooling for forming108 mm dia. zircaloy hemispheres tow-ards the supply of R-5 re-entrant cans,hot-pressing and vacuum sintering ofthorium was developed.

For densification studies on uraniumoxide pellets, a special vacuum furnacecapable of achieving 2200°C was de-signed and built.

Development work was carried outon bronze-niobium super-conductors,electroslag refining, induction heatingfor beta-quenching, crack detector, tung-sten-copper composites, porous alumin-ium plugs, controlled porosity uraniumoxide pellets and electron beam melting.

Quality surveillance was carried out onfuel bundles and ziicaloy componentsproduced at NFC, on machined com-ponents for FBTR core assemblies andR-5 components.

Specialized non-destructive testing jobssuch as ultrasonic inspection of feedwater nozzles at TAPS and criticalfittings at Heavy Water Projects wereattended to.

To meet the requirements for specialactivities, an R. F. induction generatorwas commissioned. Effective preventiveand corrective maintenance of variousequipment was carried out.

27

Fuel Reprocessing Plants

In the Tarapur Fuel Reprocessing Plant,the second campaign of trial run withspent fuel was carried out. The ECILcomputer installed as a part of the dataprocessing system was commissioned.

For the expansion of the PlutoniumPlant at Trombay, fabrication of processequipment is in progress and the in-stallation work has been started. Aproject report is being prepared for theproposed Fuel Reprocessing Plant atKalpakkam.

Electronics

The research and development activitiesin electronics covered instruments fordetection and measurement of nuclearradiations and for industrial andprocess applications; instruments for thecontrol and measurement of reactorparameters; health and safety instru-ments to monitor the personnel andactive areas in and around radioactiveinstallations; micro-processor basedself-contained intelligent instruments toacquire, process and present the datato the user in a convenient form;instruments for nuclear medicine andbiomedical engineering; non-destructivetest systems to detect flaws in nuclearreactor components and developmentof capacitors for energy storage ap-plications.

A liquid scintillation counting systemwith an automatic sample changer andexternal standardisation for quenchcorrection was supplied to the IsotopeDivision. A 4-k data acquisition system,based on bus structure capable ofhandling several output devices simul-taneously, was supplied to NuclearPhysics Division for neutron time-of-flight measurements. An X-ray pulseprocessing system was supplied to theRadiochemistry Division. A photoncounting system for studies in Ramanspectra and other spectroscopy ap-plications was supplied to the Spectros-copy Division. A rod positioning mech-anism, with associated control unit, wasinstalled at the Radiometallurgy Divisionfor burn-up analysis. A cassette digital

data recording system was designed improved image was obtained usingfor recording data from very low count- contour emphasis technique. A bio-ing rate systems, for subsequent off- feedback relaxation monitor wasline data processing. developed.

Production of control and process in-struments required for R-5 was initiated.Ventilation gamma monitor and stack-loss monitor were developed. All controlchannel instruments required for PUR-NIMA were developed & supplied.

A portable tritium monitor was develop-ed and is under evaluation. A krypton-5monitor was fabricated and suppliedto the Radiometallurgy Division. Adirect-reading electronic pocket digitaldose-meter, with a range of 1 mR to1 R was developed to replace the con-ventional pocket dosimeter. New modelsof Gun monitor and REM responseneutron monitor, with integrated dosedisplay facility, were developed. Areagamma monitors and neutron monitorsrequired for VEC were supplied. Amicro-computer based centralised moni-toring system for radiation hazardscontrol and data acquisition in large-sized nuclear installations is underdevelopment.

A gamma counter with an auto-matic sample changer (240 samples)for radioimmunoassay application wasdeveloped. A multi-channel analyserbased on bus structure with CRTterminal having alpha-numeric display,teletype and X-Y recorder as outputdevices was fabricated. An event se-quence recorder for TAPS, data ac-quisition systems for metereology andplasma physics applications, reactivitymeter and a safeguard instrument for thedetection of minute quantities of fissilematerial are also under development.

Three isotope dose calibrators werefabricated. Chest phantom studies werecarried out with the model computerisedtomography unit and reconstruction anddisplay programmes were standardisedfor PDP-11 computer. An ultrasoniccardiograph to study the moving struct-ures in heart was developed and evalu-ated at the KEM Hospital, Bombay.The ultra-sonic B-scan system is inan advanced stage of development. An

Eddy current based instruments weredeveloped to detect flaws in nuclearreactor components and to measurezinc coating depth on mild steel andberyllium coating thickness (0-20 mi-crons) on zircaloy-2.

Energy storage capacitor units of 100and 600 joules energy at chargingvoltages of 20 kV and 5 kV respectively,with polyester film dielectric weredeveloped.

Reliability Evaluation

The Reliability Evaluation Laboratoryoffers services such as enviromental/electrical testing, electronic instrumentscalibration, special studies and train-ing to industries and institutions locatedin the Western zone of the country.During the year, about 180 requestswere received for enviromental/electri-cal testing of a variety of electronicand allied products. All these itemswere tested to relevant national andinternational specifications. A numberof precision and semi-precision instru-ments such as voltmeters, multimeters,recorders, frequency counter and timeinterval meter, pc-tentiometric bridges,temperature indicators, standard com-ponents etc. were also calibrated.In addition, reliability analyses ofreactor safety systems were also carriedout.

Seismology

The seismic array at Gauribidanur wasin continuous operation. A pair ofhorizontal long-period detectors wereadded to the array to augment seismicsource discrimination capability of thearray. All the major underground nuclearexplosions were detected. The micro-barograph system was also in continuousoperation.

20 units of timing systems to be sup-plied to the UNDP are getting ready.These units will be despatched to the

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respective field stations in South EastAsia after reliability tests.

The surface network of Bharat GoldMines Ltd., was a augmented by addingthree more geophones. One of theexisting geophones was shifted to adepth of 2 km to enhance the accuracyof the depth estimate of source. Over150 rock-bursts have so far beendetected and analysed. A clear delinea-tion of the regions where rock-burstsoriginate has become possible on thebasis of the available data obtainedby the network.

Detailed studies are being carried out todeduce the layered structure of the earth,using the array data. It is expected tosubstantially augment the accuracy inlocating the seismic source using singlearray data alone.

Instrumentation

The following are some of the equip-ment and systems designed, developedand fabricated by various units of theBARC during the year:

The 2 m diameter thermovac chamber,installed at ISRO Satellite Centre,Bangalore, was extensively used fortesting sub-components of the satelliteBhaskara. It is capable of producinga vacuum of 5 x 10"° torr and tempera-tures 170-400°K. Its design was workedout by the Technical Physics Divisionand fabrication and commissioning re-sponsibility was handled by IBP; theuser specifications were drawn by ISAC.The design and commissioning of amuch larger space simulation facilityis on hand. The 4 m diameter chamberis perhaps the largest high vacuumsystem (60 m3 volume) in the country.

A 2.8 m diameter high vacuum coatingplant for the 225 cm diameter telescopemirror of the Indian Institute of Astro-physics, Kavalur, is under fabrication.

A ratio mass spectrometer for hydrogenand deuterium was extensively testedfor the R-5 Project; the results comparedfavourably with the accuracy and pre-cision reported by other laboratories.

Fabrication of a UHV mass spectro-meter is on hand. A solid state heliumleak detector was designed and isundergoing reliability evaluation trials.

Development of Auger electron spectro-meter with cylindrical mirror analyserwas completed, and preliminary trialsare being carried out. Using the facilitiesfor surface analytical instrumentationdeveloped in the Technical PhysicsDivision, a large number of sampleswere analysed. A scanning Auger micro-probe, involving UHV, sophisticatedsignal detection techniques and dataprocessing, is under development.Prototype hydrogen detection systemfor use in the sodium loop of FBTRat RRC was designed and tested forits performance.

Work on the growth of alkali halidecrystals, PbS IR detectors, IR filters,surface barrier nuclear detectors, KDPcrystals as laser modulators, Ge singlecrystals etc. was continued.

A liquid helium cryostat for super-conducting magnet was designed andfabricated.

A controller for interfacing asynchronousdigital magnetic tape transport with theindigenously-built TDC-312 computer-controlled neutron and X-ray diffracto-meter systems was designed, fabricatedand commissioned.

A 50 KV, 40 mA highly stabilizedX-ray generator prototype was designedand fabricated for the first-time in thecountry.

The energy stabilising system for the2MV tandem accelerator was installed.

A compact surface analyser for themeasurement of surface areas of powdersand porous materials using a continuousflow method of nitrogen gas adsorptionwas installed.

A sophisticated apparatus to studymass transport in fuel and claddingmaterials at high temperatures was setup.

A prototype of a gamma back-scatterthickness gauge with high sensitivitywas developed and fabricated which,incorporating less than 100 micro-curiesof cobalt-60, provides a precision betterthan 2% in the thickness range upto25mm of steel.

A ccmpact radiography camera for 100curie iridium source shielded with dep-leted uranium was developed. A proto-type was fabricated.

Against a special requirement of M/s.Bharat Electronics Ltd., developmentof GIV1 tubes for X-ray goniometer wassucessfully completed and 8 newlydeveloped tubes were delivered to them.For R-5 project, GM tube type BX-146was developed and its first consignmentwas supplied.

Hollow cathode lamp with multi-ele-ments - Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Win, N i - wasdeveloped for TAPS.

Laser

The performance of the high poweiNd: glass laser was improved by theaddition of a spatial filter to give asmaller focal spot, and a Faradayisolator to prevent damage from back •reflected light. A number of experimentson plasma generation and diagnosticswere conducted with this laser. Theeffect of incomplete ionization on scal-ing laws in laser produced plasma wasinvestigated. Experiments were con-ducted to study energy distribution ofscattered radiation from the plasma.

Development of high power CO2 laserwas continued. Some of the theoreticalcalculations on multiline oscillation ofof CO2 lasers, CO., amplifier behaviourand pulse shaping by totating mirror Q-switching were completed The knowhowfor a 150 watt CW CO, laser wastransferred to the Central ElectronicsLtd. A new two wavelength, independ-ently tunable dye laser with 0.3 Aline width was developed; In an attemptto reduce the linewidth of dye lasers,a ring laser cavity 'vas used; it wasfound to give narrower linewidths.

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Computer R & D

An INTEL 8080 micro-processor-baseddisturbance recorder was speciallydeveloped for RAPP-2. This unit willenable behaviour studies on plant out-ages and diagnostics of failure. Forentering data from remotely accessedstations to a central computer such asBESM-6, necessary digital communica-tion network employing FSK techniqueoperating at 1200 BPS speed was setup. This involved development of specialmodems which are inductively coupledand enable multichannel analyser datato be transferred through TPA-i com-puter to BESM-6. The necessary com-munication protocol, software, hardwareand interface was developed and triedout on the H-400 computer. A 16 bitLSI-11 micro-processor based systemwith 13 bit resolution at 100 MHzspeed is being developed for nuclearpulse analysis. It will have full com-patibility for exchange of programmeswith PDP-11 computer family. A dualprocessor multi-channel system incor-porating 256 and 64 channels wasdeveloped for the Atomic MineralsDivision for aerial survey for uraniumprospecting. The system has full com-patibility with AMD equipment and thenecessary aerial trials would be carriedout in the near future. A portable 1024channel analyser system is beingdeveloped as a collaborative programmebetween BARCand ECIL. Micro-proces-sor based X-ray diffractometer controlsystem, multiarm neutron spectrometercontrol system and 4 rc beta gammacoincidence counting data acquisitionsystem are being developed employinga dual processor. The system consistsof two processors, one 8 bit (SC/MP) fordata acquisition and programming andthe other an online number crunchingprocessor for data processing. It isexpected that the dual processor willprovide a very powerful data handlingsystem for these applications.

gnostics. In addition, a fast line printer,direct remote access communication forexperimental data and possibility offloppy disc with direct data entry is beingstudied.

Computer Services

During the year, BESM-6 facility wasoperated at a very high availabilitywith down time on the machine main-tained below 2%. H-400 computerwas operated for machine time for3195 hours with preventive maintenancetime of 134 hours, machine availabilitybeing more than 92.9%. For datapreparation, cards punched were1,97,400, cards verified 73,000. cardsreproduced 34,900 and cards sorted28,700. H-400 continued to be usedfor commercial applications of BARCsuch as preparation of payroll, inventorycontrol, billing operation etc.

Opto-electronics

The technical know-how developedfor the manufacture of image convertertubes was transferred to Bharat Elect-ronics Limited. BEL have establishedtheir third unit at Pune for the commer-cial production of this highly sophisti-cated item. An image converter tubeforms the heart of an active night visionsystem used for operations at night.

Work on the development of imageintensifier tubes (IITubes) was continu-ed. A process for making efficientmulti-alkali photo-cathodes is underdevelopment Work on development ofvidicon camera tubes with photo-conductive target of Sb2S:) was alsocontinued. A method of preparing thinfilms of titanium dioxide and siliconmonoxide, developed for efficient inter-ferance photocathode, also proved use-ful for producing anti-reflection coatingon solar cells.

values were determined for sodiumnitrite, anti-microbial agent furylfura-mide, several food colouring agents,chemotherapeutic drug cyclophospha-mide, niridazole and hycanthone. Afew pesticides were also studied. Bothmitotic gene conversion in diptoid yeastand back mutation in bacteria were usedas assay points for screening chemicalsand quantitating the results.

Radiobiological investigations were car-ried out with sensitizers and protectorsof radiation damage for their possiblerole in radiation protection and cancerradiotherapy. Genetic parameters thatcontrol sensitivity and repair, sensitiza-tion by elevated temperatures (hy-perthermia), and interaction betweenhyperthermia and radiation, were alsodetermined. These studies were carriedout with wild and mutant strains ofyeast. Radiation damage studies withthymus DNA, pyrimidine nucleotidesin oxygenated and nitrogen atmos-pheres were also carried out to under-

Airline respirator in the CIRUS reactor at theBhabha Atomic Research Centre.

BESM-6 completed augmentation for Radiation Protectionimproved performance by integratingTPA mini computer on fast channel. Comparative mutagenic hazards associ-development of 7 track tape controller ated with ionizing radiations and chemi-and modification of FORTRAN com- cals in the environment were investi-piler to provide English language dia- gated and radiation chemical equivalent

30

stand the species of water radiolysisresponsible for the damage.

Research on the possible atmosphericreactions and their reaction rate con-stants was continued. Chemilumines-cent reaction of CS2 and other sulphurcompounds with ozone were studiedand their reaction products were identi-fied Photo-oxidation of benzo(a)pyrene by sunlight and ultra-violet lightwas studied and it was found that majorremoval process for environmental benzo(a) pyrene is, photo-oxdiation ratherthan sedimentation.

Depth dose, dose equivalent and qualityfactors (QF) for degraded fission neu-tron spectra were calculated for a cy-lindrical man-phantom. About 50 spectrawere grouped into three categories ofshields of varying thickness, namely,those leaking through low Z shieldssuch as (i) light water and polyethyleneand (ii) heavy water, beryllium, graphite,and high Z shields such as (iii) iron,copper, uranium and lead. Althoughresults in all indicated a fall in depthdose by one tc two orders of magnitudefrom frcnt to back, the dose-equivalentvalues ranged from two to three ordersof magnitude and showed significantdifferences between leakage throughlow and high Z shields.

Various characteristics of the personnelmonitoring TLD badge were studiedwith a view to improving its radiationdose measuring capabilities. Themolu-minescence properties of lithium boratephosphor were also investigated . Cur-rently, this TLD phosphor, which can beeasily prepared in a chemical laboratory,has assumed great importance in patientdose measurements in hospitals. Anumber cf developmental studies weremade in TLDs and problems related topersonnel monitoring.

Chemical dosimetry systems weredeveloped for use in industrial radiationprocessing plants. For the verification cfradiation sterilization of medical pro-ducts, a self-adhesive label made from anemulsion of PVC containing dimethylyellow was developed. It changes colourfrom yellow to orange at 0.2 M rad

and then to red at 0.5 M rad. Forirradiation verification of food materiele,indicator capillaries containing ferroussulphatebenzoic acid-xylenol crangesolution which change colour fromyellow to violet at about 10 k rad weredeveloped.

Thermo luminescence of europium, dy-sprosium and terbium activated bariumsulphate phosphors was studied with aview to using them for microwavedosimetry. BaSO,,: Tb was found to bevery useful for this purpose. Gammairradiated phosphor exhibits intense re-duction in its TL output on exposure tomicrowaves. Response of various TLphosphors to 254 nm UV radiation wasstudied.

A calormetric primary standard wasdeveloped for determining absorbeddose to water in a water phantomirradiated with therapeutic beam of40Co gamma radiation. Secondarystandard ioncmetric dosimeters are nowcalibrated against primary standardcalorimfcter to an accuracy of better than1 .2%. Dose intercomparisons and dosi-meter calibration services hitherto offeredunder IAEA/WHO collaboration projectwere continued and extended to allteletherapy centres in India. Burmaand Sri Lanka. X-ray dose inter-com-parision service was initiated.

An intercomparision of 131I was carriedout in which eleven hospitals in thecountry, six Divisions of BARC andtwo international organizations (BIPMFrance & IAEA) participated. Also, theDivision of Radiological Protection parti-cipated in the International Intercom-parison of 134Cs organized by theInternational Bureau of Wbights andMeasure, France (BIPM). The resultsobtained agreed to within 0.2% of thosefrom other laboratories.

A quick and precise method for ab-solute standardization of some (alpha, n)neutron sources, by counting gammarays associated with the neutron produc-ing reaction, was developed. A graphicalmethod was also developed to determinethe response function of a neutrontelescope, which is the primary standard

fcr fast neutron flux measurements.

Measurement of natural radioactivity,condensation nuclei and carbon men-oxide over the Arabian Sea, Bay ofBengal and Indian Ocean were carriedout on board three Indian Navy Shipsfor all the three phases cf MonsoonExperiment-1979 (MONEX-79). ElevenBARC scientists who took part in 13cruises also collected samples of totelsuspended particulate matter over thesea, size separated aerosol, rain waterand sea water samples at differentdepths. This study wili provide betterunderstanding of monsoon circulationpattern and of merine environment.

The air monitoring network was expan-ded to include Kanpur, Coimbatore,Chandigarh and Jaipur. This extensionwill provide better coverege forpolluted urban environment, and forradioactive fallout studies from atmo-spheric nuclear explosions. Stations atSrinagar. Gulmarg, New Delhi andNagpur were re-equipped with bettersampling facilities. A programme ofradiation monitoring of deep under-ground mines was extended to coalmines of Jharia in Bihar and othermines at Mosabani and Rakha.

Concepts of time dose relationships inradiation therapy such as NominalStandard Dose (NSD), Time DoseFractionation Factor (TDF) and Cumu-lative Radiation Effect (CRE) were usedto analyse actual patient data and eva-luate the reliability of these conceptsin predicting normal tissue reactions.

The efforts to improve radiotherapyincluded the following : (a) generationof programmes for computer assistedtreatment, planning for use in thecomputers developed by the ECIL. (b)supply of after loading applicators andtheir evaluation (c) preparation of dataon dose distributions in brachy therapyfor incorporation into the IAEA Atlas ofDose Distributions (d) evaluation of thefunctional features of the first indi-genously developed telecobalt rotationalunit.

The countrywide personnel monitoring

31

service for estimating radiation exposurecovered about 22,000 regular radiationworkers from 2100 institutions. About3000 radiation workers belonging toTAPS and BARC were also monitoredusing thermoluminescent dosimeters(TLD badges).

Radiological protection survey of x-rayand gamma radiography installations,radiation therapy facilities and radio-isotope laboratories was conducted in184 institutions comprising 146 medical,24 industrial, and 14 research andteaching institutions. Teletherapy sourceloading operations were supervised atsix institutions. One lost radium needlewas recovered and stuck-up sourceswere retrieved from two industrial radio-graphy units.

In pursuance of the Atomic EnergyAct 1962 and the Radiation ProtectionRules 1971, licensing and advisoryservices were continued to regulateand control the use and transport ofradiation sources in the country. A totalof 3320 queries on radiation safetywere answered and advice on planningof radiation installations and safety ofradiation equipment was given in 1330cases. Fifty-one installations wereapproved for final construction. Further,authorization to procure radioisotopeswas given in 1350 instances afterprocessing necessary documents. In-spection visits in connection with insta-llation planning, commissioning or ap-proval were undertaken in 115 in-stitutions all over the country.

Health Physics

Health Physics Units in different facili-ties of BARC, TAPS and PREFRE atTarapur, RAPS at Kota, UCIL at Jadu-guda, NFC at Hyderabad, MAPP andRRC at Kalpakkam and IRE at Alwaye,continued to provide routine healthand safety services. As a part of thesehealth and safety services, the Environ-mental Survey Laboratories carried outroutine measurements of radioactivityin drinking water, food, air, soils andvegetation samples in the vicinity ofthese centres. The results of suchmonitoring in .the environment have

demonstrated that concentrations ofradioactivity in such samples have beenwell below those consideied as per-missible according to ICRP. The resultsof this programme are published in theform of papers presented at scientificconferences/seminars from time to time.In BARC, special health physics sur-veillance was provided for a number ofspecial jobs in the Plutonium Plant.The Health Physics Units located atTarapur assisted in special operationssuch as CRD removal and reinstallation,SSG tube plugging work, and emergencycondenser steam line work. The HealthPhysics Unit at Kota provided healthand safety coverage for the removal ofstrainer of the HT system IX columnsin RAPS. Routine monitoring of per-sonnel working in radioactive en-vironments in BARC was continued,both by bioassay analysis and bywhole-body monitoring. Some 1250occupational workers of TAPS and 60persons from the surrounding populationwere monitored in the whole-bodycounter set up at ESL, Tarapur.

Environmental surveillance in andaround Trombay harbour was continued.Analyses of the environmental samplesshowed that even samples collectednear the discharge point did not showany appreciable increase in radioactivity.Environmental Survey Laboratories atTarapur, Kota and Kalpakkam continuedtheir programmes of monitoringradioactivity in terrestrial, atmosphericand marine/aquatic environments. Alaboratory model of biogas generatorwas set up at ESL, Kalpakkam, to studythe various parameters with algal feed.At ESL. Kota, water samples wereanalysed routinely from RPS, JawaharSagar. Kota Barrage and Gandhi Sagarfor 3H, " i l , i37Cs, 89 & 90Sr and Ra(alpha) activities.

To assess the hazards arising from con-ventional air pollutants in differentindustrial operations or developmentactivities, periodical surveys were madefor the estimation of mercury, ozone,oxides of nirtogen, hydrogen fluorideand beryllium in the work atmosphere.Ventilation and noise level surveyswere made in different areas of the

Centre and suitable safety recommenda-tions were made. A write-up on illumi-nation levels for various operations inBARC was prepared. The heating levelsof persons working in a few selectednoisy areas were measured using anaudiometer. Recommendations for pro-tection of TAPS control room operatorsagainst any accidental chlorine releasehave been made by the Division. Specialindustrial hygiene surveys were made atECIL, Hyderabad and IRE Ltd., A!way&.

Under the Accident Prevention Pro-gramme, investigations of accidents forpossible causes, periodical release ofanalyses of accidents and other educa-tional materials and follow-up actionto ensure implementation of recommend-ations were continued. Industrial'safetysurveillance was under taken at thePlutonium Plant, R-5 Project, ElectronicsDivision, Division of RadiologicalProtection, and Apsara and safetyrecommendations were made.

Work on the order-disorder model offission was continued to incorporatefurther features. A nuclear force para-meterisation study using Feynmann pot-ential was completed.

A Monte Carlo programme to evaluatethe proton and heavy recoil dosedistribution and spectral distributioninside a tissue equivalent homogeneouscylindrical phantom due to a neutronsource situated outside, on the surfaceor inside the phantom, was developed.

Shielding requirements were worked outfor equipment to be used in the WasteManagement Plant at Narora.

Zircon sand separated from monazite-bearing beach sands of the Keralacoast was studied for its thermolumine-scent (TL) response, effect of hightemperature (upto 700°C) heating andTL emission spectrum. Colourless andyellow fluorites from Amba Dongar inGujarat were investigated for differencesin their TL response.

Environmental radiation dosimetry usingTLDs was extended to additional areasin the higher natural radiation back-

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ground regions in the South West coastof the country.

Work in interface dosimetry has yieldeda formula that permits calculation ofdose to any target medium on the basisof G factors for another material ofcomparable atomic number. With aview to generating data on cross-sectionfor atomic interactions at low and inter-mediate energies, studies have beeninitiated, including treatment of theionization of H atoms by neutralisedprcton beams, as a classical four-bcdyproblem and quantal calculation of theeffect of exchange in the above process.

A 20 cm dia. Phoswich detector installedinside 20 cm thick steel room at theBARC Hospital ccntinued to provideroutine counting service for the assess-ment of the lung burdens in BARCpersonnel. Five inter-comparision ex-periment were performed between BARCand AERE, Harwell, to study the methodsof in vivo calibration of Pu lung monitorand to investigate the effects of certainparameters such as particle size ofinhaled aerosol which significantly in-fluence the calibration factors for Puin vivo measurements.

The radioecological surveillance aroundTrombay (Bombay Harbour) and Tarapurwaters continued to monitor the effectof radioactive, chemical and thermalwastes on the matine ecosystems.

The sea water and marine organisms,including fish harvested from the Trom-bay waters, were found practicallyfree from radioactivity. In the tissuesof species collected from Tarapur waters,the levels of various radio-nuclideswere found to be well below the per-missible levels.

In the field of micro-meteorology, stabi-lity parameters for use in diffusioncalculations were studied for their rou-tine applicability at Tarapur. Basedon an analysis of meteorological dataat the Kalpakkam site, it was foundthat winds from the sea were marked bylower fluctuations in horizontal winddirection (60) owing to the lesserroughness of sea surface.

A study of height of the mixing layerwas carried out fcr ten stations in thecountry. An important feature of thestudy was the evaluation of afternoonelevated temperature inversions over thecountry and its variation with cloudcover, and anti-cyclonic flow conditions.Atmospheric turbidity and particle sizedistribution were studied at two coastalsites (Tarapur and Kalpakkam) and aninland site (Kota). The turbidity para-meters showed gcod correlation withatmospheric salt concentration at coastalsites.

An assessment of possible continuousdumping of solid radioactive wasteat certain suitable sites on sea-bed in theIndian Ocean was done. The methoddeveloped uses Non-Fickian diffusionin finite ocean. The rates of fixation anddesorption of long-lived activation andfission products were investigated ondeep ocean sediments in comparisonto near-shore sediments.

The diffusion coefficients of decayproducts of radon were studied atdifferent ventilation rates and differentrelative humidities to know their be-haviour in respiratory tract. The studyon the variation of specific radioactivitywith respect to the size of uranium oreaerosols indicated that aerosols in re-spirable size range contribute to higherinhalation hazards.

Shadow shield whole-body counterswere supplied and installed at theResearch Centre of the Philippine AtomicEnergy Commission, Manila, B. J. Medi-cal College, Pune, and Medical College,Trivandrum.

Work was continued under IAEAresearch contracts on "Behaviour ofTransuranic Nuclides in CcastalEnvironment", "Critical Pathways" and"Radium in Natural and ProcessingAreas and its Impact on HumanEnvironment".

Safety Evaluation and TechnicalAssistance

The TAPS off-gas system was assessedfor safety against chemical explosion

hazards, while a reassessment wascarried out on the permissible primarycontainment system leak rate in TAPS.Maintenance methods for quicker andsafer control rod installation/removaland seal replacement in recirculatingpumps in TAPS were suggested. Signi-ficant contribution was made to thepreparation of a Departmental TaskForce Report detailing measures tobe taken for enhancing safety of TAPSand RAPS in the light of the Three MileIsland Reactor Accident in U.S.A. Signi-ficant contribution was made in thedevelopment of IAEA Codes and Guidesthrough effective participation in Tech-nical Review Committees and throughcomments on various documents underpreparation in NUSS programme of theInternational Atomic Energy Agency.Experimental proposals for irradiationof plutonium and americium samples inCIRUS and mixed oxide fuel assembliesin CIRUS Pressurised Water Loop, fortesting of indigenously fabricated in-coreneutron monitors in Apsara and fcrmixed oxide lattice physics experimentsin Zerlina, were evaluated for nuclearengineering and safety aspects. Sensiti-vity studies were carried out for the R-5failed fuel detection system, while, forthe R-5 shut-off rod design, nuclearheating and temperature aspects wereevaluated.

Heavy Water

Research and development activitiescarried out during the year are asfollows.

H.,S-H.,0 Exchange Process: The pro-duction unit of the H2S-H2O exchangepilot plant was operated to produceliquefied H2S to meet the requirementsof NFC. Process data collected duringthe operation of the plant will be usefulin operating the production unit of HWP,Kota. Solubility of hydrogen sulphideat various temperatures and pressuresand pH was calculated theoretically andverified experimentally at low pressure.

Ammonia-Hydrogen Exchange: Experi-ments were conducted to study thechange of metallographical structuresof carbon steel and stainless steel

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materials, if any, in contact with am-monical solution of potassium amide.Experimental investigation was alsocarried out to study the effect of thissolution on the magnetic propertiesof iron oxide (rust).

Tower Internals: Work is in advancedstage on the development of towerinternals suitable for final enrichmentas well as upgrading of heavy waterby vacuum distillation. One upgradingplant with this tower internals hasalready replaced the distillation columnspacked with imported Dixon Ring hither-to being used for the upgrading ofdiluted heavy water for CIRUS andZERLINA.

Fabrication of tower internals for 2sections of the Heavy Water UpgradingPlant for RAPP was completed. Theinternals were inserted in the towersections and activated in situ aftererection in the 1 m, dia. test assembly,set up in Trombay to test all the towersections before sending them to therespective upgrading plant sites. Testingof performance of these sections atvarious bcil-ups is in progress.

Feasibility Studies : Calculation ofseparation factor for exchange pro-cesses such as NH3-Ho0, HCOOH-Ho,HCH0-H2/H,0 were carried out. Vapourpressure isotope effects in liquidammonia were studied and the vapourpressures of all the isotopic ammoniawere calculated as a function oftemperature. Viscosity of water, heavywater and their mixtures at high tem-peratures and pressures was calculatedpurely from statisical mechanical theory.Feasibility studies were also conductedfor the production of heavy water byadsorption/desorption on palladium andTiNi alloy. Efforts to develop a suitablecatalyst for the hydrogen/water ex-change were continued.

Heavy Water Upgrading Plants: All themajor equipment except rectifier unitswere erected at site for the MAPPUpgrading Plant. Work was initiated toaugment further heavy water productionat Nangal by feeding enriched con-densate from the Nangal expansion

plant to the Heavy Water Plant, insteadof natural water, after removing someimpurities from the condensate likeCH.jüH, colloidal sulphur etc.

Waste Management

Under the Radioactive Waste Manage-ment Programme, the following projectsare being handled :

Waste Immobilisation Pro/eet (WIP),Tarapur: To process and immobilisehighly radioactive wastes, generated fromthe Fuel Reprocessing Plant at Tarapurinto inert non-leachable solids, a WasteImmobilisation Project is being set up.Design of service distribution and in-strumentation and control systems forboth the vitrification and the bitu-minisation plants was completed. Fabri-cation of intra-rack-piping in all thenine modules of the vitrification cell,waste receiving tanks, drainage collec-tion tank for the air lock cell, racks forhousing the furnaces inside the vitrifica-tion cell etc. and installation of the wipedfilm evaporator and process pipingin the bituminisation plant were com-pleted. Commissioning of process andservice system, hot oil system for thebituminisation plant as well as air-conditioning and ventilation system,was taken up.

Centralised Waste Management Facility(CWMF). Kalpakkam: After installationof all the process equipment fcr lowlevel liquid effluents, process pipingwas installed. Work en steam pipingis nearing completion Electrical andairconditioning systems were commis-sioned and the ventilation system isundergoing commissioning trials.

Effluent Treatment Plant for Indian RareEarths Ltd.. Alwaye: Most of the equip-ment has been installed and installationof process piping is in progress. Civilconstruction work is nearing comple-tion; electrial works are in progress.

Solid Storage Surveillance Facility, Tara-pur: The project envisages setting up of afacility for interim storage of cannisterscontaining vitrified high level radio-active waste products under continuous

cooling and surveillance. Geohydrologi-cal investigations of the site were com-pleted. Structural and civil design formost of the facility was carried out.In respect of the internal vault in thestorage facility, engineering analysis ofthe complicated thermal characteristicsof the system is in progress

Waste Management Plant, Narora: Aproject report detailing the equipmentand services requirements has beenprepared.

Repository for Immobilised Waste Pro-ducts: For the ultimate disposal of highlevel radioactive wastes in deep geolo-gical formations, preliminary work oninvestigation of sites was started. Thework on setting up of a centralisedrepository will be carried out in threephases. Further, an experimental re-search station will be established toassess the suitability of peninsular gneis-sic rocks.

Waste Management Facilities at Tarapur:Scheme reports for augmenting theexisting facilities for managing radio-active wastes at Tarapur, for both theFuel Reprocessing Plant and the PowerStation were prepared.

Research and Development

Reactors: Work was done on the mo-dernisation of the existing nuclear in-strumentation of the reactors CIRUS,Apsara and ZERLINA to get over theproblem of obsolescence. A number ofprototype units were built and shop-tested. A reactivity accident analysiscode to predict the nuclear excursionbehaviour of a control rod drop accidentin a boiling water reactor like TAPS isunder development.

Research and Development work in thefield of activity transport in nuclear reac-tor systems including high temperature,high pressure recirculating systems wascontinued. Studies on organic ionexchange resins in general and thosemade indigenously in particular wereundertaken to assess their suitabilityfor use in nuclear reactors. Researchwork in the field of coordination chemis-

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try of metal ions of interest with organicreagents to evaluate the specif icity of thereagents for determination of traceamountsof certain metal ions in presenceof these elements was continued.

Study on the long-term stability andcharacteiisation of the vitrified highlevel wastes is in progress to ensurethat there is no release of radioactivityfrom the solidified wastes to the envi-ronment during their longterm storage.Mock-up studies for verification ofprocess design parameters and remoteoperation of mechanical assemblieswere continued.

Testing of thermosyphon evaporatoralong with fractionater and condenser,air-lift system and acid killing loop wascarried out to obtain operational dataand experience. Development work inconnection with self-actuating grappler,special gaskets for in-cell use, heliumleak detection testing of storage pots,and jumpers for valves and instrumentsis progressing satisfactorily. Studies onthe technique for impregnation of acti-vated charcoal and the development ofcation-exchanged molecular sieves oflocal origin for radioiodine and methyliodide removal were carried out. Basedon experimental studies, process designfor heavy water vapour recovery systemfor R-5 Reactor was finalised. Newtechniques were developed for genera-tion and characterisation of aerosolsof interest in radioactive air filtrationin the nuclear industry. Studies on theconcentration and containment of triti-ated wastes in cement matrices werecarried out. The potential of reverseosmosis technology for the concent-ration of low radioactive liquid effluentswas established and a pilot plant of10 M3/day was designed. The effectof physical and chemical aids on therate of solar evaporation of low levelwastes was studied. Investigations werecarried out on the use of various chemi-cals in the treatment of liquid wastesand the effect of pclyelectrolytes asflocculating and coagulant aids therein.Studies on the fixation of active chemi-cal sludge and vermiculite in cementand spent ion exchange resin in polymerare in progress.

Desalination: The design of large capa-city desalination plants for commercialexploitation was initiated upon thesucessful operation of the MSF (Multi-stage Flash) desalination experimentalplant. In this regard, behaviour of variousalloys exposed to sea water environ-ment, and the heat transfer characteris-tics of profiled tubes were studied.

A mini hand-operated reverse osmosisunit for meeting drinking water needsin rural areas is under development.One such unit is being field-testedin Tamil Nadu.

Electrolytic Hydrogen Production: The8KW (1.5N m3/hr. of hydrogencapacity) unit was commissioned andoperated for long periods for life-testingof cell components. Installation of pilotplant of 145 KW (33N ms/hr) is inprogress. A project proposal for semi-commercial scale plant of 3800 N m3/day was prepared. Studies are inprogress to improve the electrode be-haviour and performances at highcurrent densities.

Operations

The research reactors CIRUS, Apsaraand ZERLINA were operated with ahigh degree of availability and safety,for research and isotope production.

Frepaiatory work is in progress forscheduling the repair of the emergencycooling water storage tank of CIRUS,which has developed a minor leak aftersome 20 years of uninterrupted services.It is proposed to take advantage of thisreactor outage period to carry out also anumber of preventive maintenance jobswhich cannot be undertaken duringnormal operation.

Radioactive waste management facilitiesTarapur treating wastes from fuelreprocessing plant and the power sta-tion, have been operating satisfactorily.Notable work during the year was thedisposal of highly radioactive compon-ents from TAPS fuel storage pool. Wastetreatment and decontamination facili-ties at Trombay and the Effluent Manage-

ment Unit at Nuclear Fuel Complex,Hyderabad continued to operatesatisfactorily during the year. The SolarEvaporation Facility at Rajasthan forlow active effluents was commissionedpartly during the year.

Central Workshops

The Workshops fabricated equipmentfor the Space Lab. Cosmic Ray Experi-ment for TIFR; Inspection Bay Equip-ment and Transfer Arm for MAPP-I;Prototype Multi-stage Extractor for RRCand Special Glove Boxes and VacuumUltraviolet Monochromator for variousdivisions of BARC. These jobs calledfor precise machining with high degreeof accuracy. Three fuelling machineheads for MAPP-II were fabricated andhanded over for testing. An order of 27pairs of master slave manipulators forRRC under the technical supervision ofCWS was completed.

The assemblying work of two fuellingmachine heads for MAPP-I entrustedto CWS, is in progress. About 50% ofthe components for all 6 heads of thefuelling machine for NAPP-I and II wascompleted. Fabrication of end-fittingsand liner tubes for the second unit ofNAPP is in progress. There was goodprogress in the manufacture of calsndriaand coolant channels for R-5 Project.

Development work in the area of remotehandling equipment was carried out as ameasure for import substitution. Thedesign and fabrication of componentsfor the prototype of the extended reachmanipulator, triple axis spectrometerand power manipulator was completed.The former two are in the assemblystage whereas the latter is in the testingstage. Development of a mechanicalsystem for a periscope for observingthe core of FBTR with high intensityillumination was taken up. The processof depositing fine non-metallic parti-cles in the chromium matrix by electro-deposition from aqueous solutions wasdeveloped. The process will improvewear properties, strength, hardness andcorrosion behaviour of chromium-plating.

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As an import substitution work on in-cell crane, design and manufacturefcr RRC was taken up.

Library and Information Services

The Library holdings now stand atnearly 600,000, including 63,250 books,50,000 bound volumes of periodicalsand 460,000 technical reports. TheLibrary receives 1550 periodicals ofwhich 1250 are subscribed to, the restbeing received gratis or on exchangebasis. Besides , there are some 33,000reprints of scientific papers. The reportscollection is one of the largest in theworld in the nuclear field and, on anaverage, 30,000 new reports are addedto this collection annually.

During the year, 140 technical reports,embodying the results of research anddevelopment work done in the Centre,and the proceedings of symposia, con-ferences etc. organised by the DAEwere brought out.

Translations were done from Russian,German, French, Japanese, Spanish and.Italian languages at the request ofscientists and engineers. About 230requests for translations were compliedwith during the year. A tri-monthlyentitled 'Translation Bulletin', givingbibliographic details of the translationsdone during a quarter was brought out.Copies of this bulletin were widelydistributed. Courses were conducted inFrench, German and Russian for thebenefit of BARC scientists and engi-neers. Interpretation service was alsoprovided on a number of occasions.Short-term training was imparted to afew personnel from other organizationsand institutions in library operationsand computer handling of information.

Activities were continued in connectionwith India's participation in the com-puter-based International Nuclear In-formation System (INIS) established bythe IAEA at Vienna in May 1970.During the year, 1250 items published inIndia and falling within the subject-scope of INIS were fed into the system.India has so far fed 8,280 items to the

system, amounting to about 2% of theitems in the INIS Data Bank.

The computerised information services,such as selective dissemination ofinformation, 'Bibliography of CurrentReports,' and retrospective literaturesearches were continued. At present,some 50,000 bibliographic referencesare available in machine-readableform.

Personnel & Training

The total strength cf BARC, includingthe VEC Project, as on April 1,1980 was 12,469, comprising 3,424scientific 5,319 technical, 1,200 ad-ministrative and 2,526 general main-tenance and auxiliary staff.

During the period from April 1979 toMarch 1980, 138 scientists weredeputed abroad for participation ininternational conferences, symposia,meetings etc. and for specific Govt.work. 24 scientists were deputed abroadfor scientific visit/training/study toursunder the aided schemes and bilateralagreements. The services of 5 scientistswere placed at the disposal of the IAEAon foreign service as Agency's experts,and one scientist was deputed to renderexpert services under the bilateral agree-ment. 20 scientists were granted leavefor post-doctoral work abroad. 19scientists completed their training and9 are undergoing training at NTs andMSc, Bangalore.

112 scientists of the Centre have beenaccorded the statusof university teachersby various universities. During the year,27 scientists qualified for the award ofPh. D. degree and 32 for M.Sc. degreeunder the collaboration scheme betweenBARC and University of Bombay; 31students are presently doing researchwork leading to M.Sc/Ph.D. degrees.So far 19 students have qualified forthe award of M.Sc/Ph. D. degree underthe Faculty Improvement Programme ofthe University Grants Commission;4 lecturers are doing research leadingto Ph.D. in the Centre.

Upto March 1980, a total of18,830 persons, including Heads ofStates, Ministers, Parliamentarians,Indian and foreign diplomatic personnel.Government officials, visiting professors,foreign scientists, membersof the scienti-fic and technical institutions, andstudents of technical institutions, andstudents of schools and colleges visitedthe Centre.

91 officers and staff members passedPrabodh, Praveen and Pragya examina-tions. About 144 officers and staff arepresently undergoing training in Hindi.

One hundred and thirty seven graduatesin science and engineering success-fully completed the 22nd Course of theTraining School, which was conductedfrom August 1978 to July 1979. Theywere absorbed as Scientific Officersand Engineers in BARC and other unitsof the DAE.

Ninety outstanding young graduatesin Science and Engineering, selectedon an all-India basis, joined the 23rdCourse of the Training School, whichcommenced in August 1979.

A six weeks' Refresher Course for uni-versity post-graduate teachers in physicsand chemistry was conducted in col-laboration with the University GrantsCommission during summer 1979.Thirteen university teachers in physics,and sixteen in chemistry participatedin the Course.

Fourteen National Science Talent Re-search Scholars deputed by the NationalCouncil of Educational Research andTraining, for summer training in researchmethodology, were given training underthe expert guidance of senior scientistsof BARC, for a period of one month.

Practical training was arranged in BARCfor over eighty engineering studentsfrom various IITs and engineering col-leges/polytechnics as a part of theirdegree/diploma requirement.

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i he sixth one year's training programmeleading to Diploma in Radiation Medi-cine and Diploma in Medical Radio-isctope Techniques of the BombayUniversity was conducted.

A six weeks' course on Industrial IsotopeRadiography & Safety Aspects wasorganised jointly with Bharat HeavyElectricals Ltd., Tiruchirapalli.

16 scientists from various institutionswere trained in fields such as spectro-chemical analysis, infra-red spectros-copy, electronics and optical polishing.

Medical and paramedical personnelreceived advanced training in hospitalradiopharmacy and radio-immunoassayprocedures. As a result of th is/4 newRIA centres were established in differentparts cf the country.

Civil Works

The main activity in Trombay during theyear was the continuance and ac-celeration of civil works for the R-5Project. The main Reactor Building wascompleted in all respects except forinternal painting work. Among ancillarystructures, the Service Building, ReactorAnnexe, Control Room, AttachedLaboratory, Stores & Guide Tube Lab.,100 metre high R.C.C. stack withconnecting ducts, underground dumptank, demineralised water tank andsumps were completed except for paint-ing work. Work on other major structuresand off-shore jobs is in progress.

Among other civil works at Trombay,improvements to the water supplysystem , internal and external paintingof CIRUS Complex, security fencing andjeepable roads for patrolling etc. werecompleted. Planning for the expansionof the Uranium Metal Plant, EquipmentDecontamination Facility, extension toFaggots Building, extension to theLibrary Wing of the Central Complex,control room for civil defence. Operation& Testing Laboratory Bldg. for thePlutonium Plant, extension of facilities

for chemical works on plutonium fuelsin the Radiological Labs, and workshopand air-lock for the RadiometallurgyDivision, was completed. Designs forthe Centralised Transport Complex areunder preparation.

Construction of the compound wallalong with security gates around ac-quired land at Vashi, New Bombay, andinternal roads around proposed build-ings was completed. The constructionof the Beryllium Pilot Plant and theRadiopharmaceutical Lab. is in progress.Plannng for the Beryllium MachiningFacility was completed.

For handling the radioactive wastesemanating from TAPS, an additionalbattery of 160 tile holes was completed.Work has been taken up on a third setof RCC trenches. For extending hous-ing facilities of BARC at Tarapur, 18units of Type-A houses have beenconstructed recently. Construction of afurther 162 quarters is to start soon.Expansion of the existing Micro-met.Lab. is in progress.

Construction of the Nuclear ResearchLaboratory building, PANBIT, heatingplant building and overhead waterreservoir, along with external services,has commenced at Srinagar and worksare under progress.

The design personnel executed theplanning and designs of all BARCprojects. Besides, they also served otherDAE units viz MAPP, RAPP, TAPS,NFC and HWPs.

Architectural designing and detailingof the buildings for all units of theDAE, and also for local and inter-national trade fairs was carried out.

Overall architectural consultancy wasalso provided to the Semi-conductorComplex of the Department of Elect-ronics; the Buildings at Uran forO.N.G.C.;ECIL, Research and Develop-ment Centre for Iron & Steel of theSteel Authority of India; TIFR; TMCand the Indian Institute of HorticulturalResearch.

Reactor Research Centre,Kalpakkam

The Reactor Research Centre, Kalpak-kam has been set up for developmentof Fast Breeder technology. During theyear there was significant progress inthe project activities, and in the re-search and development programmeof the Centre. The major project in handis the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).The civil works for the reactor have beencompleted and the power and controlsystems are nearing completion. Theoverall percentage of completion ofelectrical works is 80. The air condition-ing and ventilation works are almostover and the systems are being com-missioned. Piping works are 20% com-plete. The fabrication of the rotatingplugs of the reactor assembly is nearingcompletion. The steam turbine is in anadvanced stage; components for themechanical sodium pumps have beenfabricated and the assembly of oneprimary pump has been completed.

The instrumentaton and control systemis being manufactured by the Electro-nics Corporation of India Limited(ECIL). Overall, around 75% of theproject has been completed.

Other construction projects in progressat the Centre are those relating to theRadiometallurgy (RML), MaterialsDevelopment (MDL) and Radiochem-istry Laboratories (RCL). Work relatingto the radiometallurgy and materialsdevelopment laboratories are nearingcompletion and equipment are beinginstalled. The laboratories will be comis-sioned in stages shortly. Civil worksfor the radiochemistry laboratory havebeen completed, electrical and ventila-tion works are nearing completion, andinstallation of laboratory fixtures is inprogress. A part of the laboratoryhas been commissioned for sodiumanalysis and for setting up the massspectrometer, thermal analyser and X-raydiffractometer.

The thrust of the research and develop-ment efforts has been in the area ofsodium technology, metallurgy, re-processing, engineering and materials

37

science. In the engineering laboratory,sodium loop experiments have beencontinued for study of carbon pick-upby stainless steel and resultant changesin its mechanical property, for calibrationof sodium flow meters required fcrFBTR and for testing of dummy fuelpins fabricated to FBTR specifications.A large loop is being installed for purify-ing 150 tonnes of indigenously procuredsodium to the strict specificationsrequired for use in FBTR. Plant dynamicsstudies pertaining to FBTR have enableda proper understanding of the dynamicbehaviour of the entire plant duringrapid transients. While the core designof a 500 MWe sodium cooled fastbreeder reactor is continuing, evalua-tion of dissociating gases as potentialreactor coolants has also been initiated.Training has been taken on hand forplant operators and control room opera-tors required for FBTR.

Generation of baseline data on themechanical properties of materials usedin FBTR has been continued in order toenable evaluation of ths materials forthe larger fast reactors. Effects of differ-ent degrees of cold work on mechanicalproperties of stainless steel and theirwelding characteristics and suscepti-bility to corrosion have been investigated.For analysis of microstructural constitu-ents in stainless steel, a techniqueof electromechanical selective dissolu-tion of austenite has been extended toseparate the sigma phase and thecarbides from the weld deposits.

With the mass spectrometer system,thermal analyser and X-ray diffracto-meter already installed, a comprehen-sive programme on high temperaturetheriTiodynamic properties of fast reactorfuel materials has been initiated. Thesodium analytical laboratory has been

500 KW sodium loop and control rod drive mechanism test facility in the ReactorEngineering Laboratory of the Reactor Research Centre, Kalpakkam.

geared for analysis of a large numberof samples of sodium during plant scalepurification for use in FBTR.

In the quest for different types of solventextraction contactors in fuel reproces-sing, a single stage centrifugal contactordeveloped as a model has been foundto be satisfactory and a multistagecontactor has been fabricated on thebasis of this experience. A pulsed filtersystem for removal of solids from thedissolver product in reprocessing hasbeen developed. It is being studied foradaptability for remote handling andwaste disposal in reprocessing systems.A4-stage simple horizontal contactorsuitable for solvent wash system inreprocessing has been tested with satis-factory results.

As part of an IAEA sponsored researchproject on use of rare earth elements inreactor concrete, data on engineeringproperties of such concrete like thermalconductivity, thermal expansion etc.have been generated. Field tests ofthermoluminescence dosimeters design-ed in the Centre for personnel monitor-ing have yielded results encouragingtheir use on a regular basis.

In the materials science programme,ion implantation studies have beencarried out on the microstructure andmicrohardness changes in metals. Inthe studies on superconducting materialsdiscontinuous deformation in the normaland super conducting phases of tan-talum has been observed. Theoreticalstudies have included the study ofmechanisms of shrinkage of radiation-induced voids and a computer simula-tion study of point defects in selectedmetals.

Microprocessor based systems underdevelopment at the Centre includeautomation of internal friction experi-ments in the radiation damage program-me, data logger for creep studies and acomputing integrator for gas chromato-graph. A spectroscopy amplifier anddigital spectrum stabilizer have beendeveloped for nuclear spectroscopy.

Thermowells to very fine surface finish

38

internally as well as externally for coretemperature measurements, componentsfor sodium purification system and thedevelopment, manufacture and suc-cessful testing of a new plasma cuttingtorch for use on stainless steel representa few of the activities of the CentralWorkshops at the Centre which catersto R & D as well as project requirementsof specialised fabrication and machin-ing. The Central Water Chilling Plantwith 2000 tonnes installed refrigerationcapacity has been commissioned.

The Centre had on its rolls on December31, 1979, 375 scientific, 492 technical,94 administrative, 18 auxiliary and 379work-charged staff. A senior engineerof the Centre participated in the Work-ing Group on Fast Breeders of the Inter-national Fuel Cycle Evaluation. Twosenior scientists went to Europe forscientific visits under IAEA technicalassistance programme. Three scientistsare doing postgraduate studies in theIndian Institutes of Technology. TheCentre has been recognised for post-graduate work in Physics and Chemist-ry by the University of Madras.

Tata Institute ofFundamental ResearchSchool of Mathematics

Research work was carried out in theSchool of Mathematics in fields such asClassical and Functional Analysis, Dif-ferential Equations, Function Theory,Differential Geometry, Algebra, Analyticand Algebraic Number Theory, LieGroups and Lie Algebras, AlgebraicGeometry, Topology and Combinatorics.Over 40 papers have been written onthese topics.

The activities of the School centredaround several courses of lectures andseminars conducted by members of theSchool and eminent visiting mathe-maticians. About 12 courses of lecturesand several seminars were given.

The following distinguished mathe-maticians have been in residence duringthe year as Visiting Professors: ProfessorDavid Gieseker (Harvard University,

USA), Professor Thomas J. Enright(University of California, San DiegoUSA), Professor M. P. Murthy (Uni-versity of Chicago, USA), ProfessorD. Mumford (Harvard University. USA)and Professor H. E. Richert (Univer-sitat Ulm, West Germany).

Ten mathematicians from abroad visitedthe School and gave lectures.

Two volumes of Lecture Notes werepublished during the year: 'Curves onRational and Unirational Surfaces' byM. Miyanishi and 'Wave Propagation'by G. B. Whitham. A book entitled'Partial Differential Equations' by FritzJohn was also published.

Under the T.I.F.R.—Indian Institute ofScience Collaboration Progiamme, thefollowing distinguished mathematiciansvisited the T.I.F.R. Centre and gavelectures and seminars: Dr. A. Minzoni(Institute of Mathematics, Mexico City,Mexico). Professor C. S. Morawetz(Courant Institute of MathematicalSciences, New York), Professor S.R.S.Varadhan, (Courant Institute, New York),Professor Robert T. Gregory (Universityof Tennessee, USA), Professor SanjoyMitter (Massachusetts Institute ofTechnology, USA) and Professor J. N.Reddy (University of Oklahoma, USA)visited Bangalore and gave courses oflectures. Some members of the Schoolof Mathematics, TIFR and the IndianInstitute of Science are also givingcourses of lectures at the T.I.F.R.Centre, Bangalore.

Research work is being carried out atthe T.I.F.R. Centre on Numericalmethods related to finite elementtechniques.

School of PhysicsA. Theoretical Physics

Theoretical High Energy Physics: Two -dimensional quantum chromo-dynamics(QCD) was studied and a solutionworked out that displays dynamicalsymmetry-breaking. A study of aclass of configurations in Yang-Millstheory was made analysing the relationbetween algebraic properties of the

configurations and physically significantvariables. Work on quantisation of pureYang-Mills theories was continued.

A calculation of the po larised deep inela -stic structure function of the proton andthe quark net-nelicity distribution sho-wing the importance of parton transversemomenta and taking into account QCDeffects was carried out. QCD correctionsto polarised electron-nucleon deepinelastic scattering using the quark-parton approach were worked out.

A model which combines the partenapproach to hard scattering of thehadron constituents and a cluster ap-proach has been formulated to explainfeatures of particle production at largetransverse momenta. The same partoncluster approach has been applied tcassociated production of hadrons inDrell-Yan processes.

Study of gauge theories of particleinteractions, in genera', has been con-tinued.

Using a Thomas-Fermi type pictureof the nucleon as a dense systemof quarks and antiquarks, a rationalewas given for the "dipole" nature,scaling and other characteristics of thenucleon electromagnetic form factors.Electromagnetic structure of the pionwas also similarly treated.

A theorem giving sufficient conditionsfor non-existence of the Aharonov-Bohm effect was proved and used todemonstrate that present experimentshave not established the effect.

Exact non-spreading lump or particle-like solutions of the Schrodinger equa-tion were obtained for all potentialsthat admit such solutions. The cor-responding relativistic problem wasformulated and studied for possibleimplications concerning De Brogue'shidden variable theory.

Some general results relating to periodicsolutions were obtained for generalnon-linear Hamiltonian systems.

Nuclear Theory: The joint eigen value

39

distribution for the new matrix ensembleshas been used to derive an approximatesingle eigen value distribution.

Analytic expressions for the traces ofangular momentum operators have beenobtained without using the explicitrepresentations of the rotation matrices.

The thermodynamics of matter composedof interacting nucleons with an ad-mixture of leptons and photons isinvestigated for densities 10 l ( ' -10 1 4

g/cm!! and temperatures 1 0 l " - 1 0 l -K, which are relevant for the problemof supernova explosion. A thermal Hai-tree-Fock calculation with skyrme effect-ive interaction is carried out for the nu-cleons. The equation of state is shownto soften below the nuclear density andsuddenly stiffen in the transnucleardensity region, a condition suitable forproducing a strong bounce shock thatis needed for effective supernova ex-plosion and leaving a neutron starbehind.

It was shown that the repulsive coreof the central part of the nucleon-nucleon interaction arises from the ex-change of coloured constituent quarksand their colour interaction. However,in the intermediate energy range ithas been found that this quark exchangemechanism fails to yield the necessaryattraction to bind the deuteron.

The structure of high spin states of rareearth nuclei has been calculated withinthe framework of the microscopictheory: angular momentum projected,number conserved, band mixed HFBmethod.

In Theoretical Solid State Physics andStatistical Mechanics: the major areasof interest are superconductivity, superfluidity in He!1 and He4, magnetismand phase transitions.

A mechanism leading to superconducti-vity in semi-metals, different from theusual phonon exchange, has been sug-gested on the basis of calculation ofthe variation of the transition tempera-ture with pressure. In liquid He3, thecontribution to the viscosity and the

damping of sound waves due to fluctua-tions of the order parameter just abovethe super fluid transition temperaturehave been evaluated exactly. Withinthe Hartree-Bose approximation, it hasbeen shown that the ground state of aBose system with interactions having anattractive part is a paired state ratherthan a Bose condensed state for den-sities exceeding a critical value.

Research activities of the TheoreticalAstrophysics Group include investi-gations in cosmology and extragalacticastronomy, physics and astrophysics ofcollapsed objects, nucleo-synthesis andstellar physics, solar physics, ultraviolet(UV) astronomy and cometary physics.

In particular, work is in progress on theo-retical models to explain the anomalousspectral shifts in quasars. An explana-tion has also been given for the observedsuperluminal motion in some quasarsas arising from the bending of radiowaves by intervening clumps of matter.

Work is continuing on the equationof state for hot dense matter composedof nuclei, nucleons, leptons and photons.A model of accretion onto a magnet-ised neutron star is under investigationin order to understand the phenomenonof infrared bursts.

Nucleosynthesis in the late stages ofstellar evolution is being studied withthe development of an integrated stellarevolutionary code. Efforts are underwayto explain the radio and X-ray propertiesof the strange object SS 433 in termsof synchrotron models.

The instabilities in the solar convectionzone are being studied with a view toobtain the time scales and wavelengthsassociated with oscillatory and non-oscillatory velocity fields at the surfaceof the Sun.

The UV spectra for a number of starsin the wavelength range 1150-3000A taken with the IUE satellite in 1978are being studied. The molecular ab-sorption lines from the interstellar andcircumstellar regions have been analysed

to obtain important information aboutthe regions around these stars.

In cometary studies, recent work donehere has given a physical explanationfor the observed high intensity of theSwan bands in cometary spectra. Theinfrared radiation from comet Kohoutekhas been analysed to obtain informa-tion about the grains in these objects.

B. Experimental Physics

Nuclear Reactions : During the periodunder review the major portion of theactivities of the group was concernedwith preparations for experiments at theVEC, and in the field of ion-atomcollisions.

A low energy electron gun ( ~ 1 keV)for studying optical excitations of gases,CMA and hybrid electron spectrometerfor Auger electron studies and settingup of a bent crystal x-ray spectrometerare among the instrumentation activitiesundertaken.

Nuclear Spectroscopy: The behaviourof magnetic impurities of iron andmanganese in diamagnetic matrices suchas alloys of gold and copper has beenextensively studied between 1.1 Kand 300 K by measuring electricalresistivity with high precision to obtainimportant information as to the effectof variation of mean free path of con-duction electrons on the competitionbetween Kondo effect and spin glasstransition. Further studies are continuingwith the measurement of magnetoresistance of same system at lowtemperatures, and in magnetic fieldsup to 20 k gauss.

In the area of Solid State Physics, theproperties of spin glass were investigatedusing a variety of techniques. Theultrasonic studies have been appliedto some superconductors. The firstphase of the programme on fine particleshas been completed. Proton relaxationstudies ate continuing in hexokinasesystems.

The Rock Magnetism Group obtainedimportant results that suggest the in-

40

hibition of domain wall formation andconsequent resemblance of the mag-netic properties to those of spin glasses,when ions like titanium and cobaltare partly substituted in some ferrites.

The Chemical Physics Group has conti-nued its research towards probing thestructure of interesting molecular species(frcm the chemical and biological pointsof view) and towards trying to elucidateenergy transfer mechanism in physicaland chemical changes of interest.

Low Temperature Physics: A cryogenictemperature controller for accurate con-trol in low temperature experiments wasconfigured around a micro-processor-based data acquisition system builtin the laboratory. The P-l-D algorithmas well as the linearization of the sensoris implemented by software.

X-ray and Gamma Ray AstronomyProgramme: TIFR-ISAC joint x-ray skymonitor experimenten board the secondIndian satellite "Bhaskara" waslaunched on 7th June, 1979. The datareceived during one week of operationare presently being analysed.

A large area thin window proportionalcounter telescope was launched fromSriharikota launch complex (SHAR)on June 24 to study the ultra softX-rays.

Several "Guest Observer" proposals forthe Einstein X-ray Observatory have beenapproved by NASA. Three observations(supernova remnants HB3, MSH 14-63and Eridanus "Hot Spot") have alreadybeen made; two of them in collaborationwith the University of Calgary andColumbia Astrophysical Laboratories.Data analysis is in progressandthe resultswill be soon ready for publication. Incollaboration with the scientists of thePhysical Research Laboratory, Ahmeda-bad, an important discovery of the emis-sion of infrared bursts from the X-RayRapid Burster has been made using theoptical telescope of the Institute ofAstrophysics.

Infrared Astronomy: The main thrustof the work during the year has been

to get Mark II 75 cm telescope platformready for a balloon flight. The pointingsystem incorporating error signals froma star-tracker and rate gyroscopes hasbeen successfully tested in the labora-tory.

A programme for near infrared observa-tion(1-5 microns) using ground-basedtelescopes has been conceived. Preli-minary designs for a photometer areunderway. Observations may commenceby the end of 1980.

Cosmic Ray and Solar Physics: Workon the instrument for the cosmic rayexperiment in space shuttle—SpacelabI Mission has been continued. Anengineering model has been fabricatedand it is undergoing qalification tests.Fabrication work on the flight modelhas commenced.

Extensive measurements of low energynuclei of oxygen, neon to sulphur andiron group of nuclei in a stack of plasticdetectors exposed aboard the SkylabIV Mission for over two months havebeen made. A detailed spectrum ofoxygen nuclei has been obtained fromas many as four hundred tracks thatshows fine structure denoting the parti-ally ionised state of these particles.

A study was conducted jointly with theUniversity of Mexico and Johnson SpaceCentre, USA, in which extra-terrestrialantiprotons of a few GeV energy havebeen observed for the first time. Atheoretical study has also been carriedout on the origin of gamma rays in thegalaxy. A study has also been madeof the dynamics of the supernovaremnants with special emphasis on thepossible acceleration of particles in theexpanding remnant.

EAS experiments at Kolar Gold Fields:A new method has been developedto obtain the charge composition ofprimary cosmic rays at energies > 1014

eV, independent of nuclear interactionmodels. Analysis based on this method,of a large sample of air showers re-corded at KGF strongly indicates thatthe primary composition at > 1014 eV is'mixed'.

Work on the interpretation of the newclass of high energy interaction (Cen-tauro) events reported by Japan-Brasilgroup as due to fluctuations in airshower cores is being pursued to see ifthe detailed structure can also be re-produced. Another new class (Mini-Centauro) of events seen by the samegroup are also being examined forinterpretatie) ns in terms of knownphysics.

Muon and Neutrino experiments atKolar Gold Fields : The collaborativeexperiments between TIFR and OsakaCity University of Japan in the KolarGold Mines at two depths of 610 mand 1100 m have been continued withelaborate new detector arrays. Newevidence for anomalous showers withvery high energy has been obtainedconfirming the earlier results and twoexamples of cascades with high energy(100 GeV) and with a 2-core structurewith opening angles of ~ 25° are ob-served. These are indicative of extremelylarge pt (> 30 GeV/c) phenomena orof new massive particle production.

Experiments at the Cosmic Ray Labora-tory, Ooty: The experiment to study thepulsed high energy gamma ray emissionfrom pulsars using the atmosphericCerenkov technique has been furtherexpanded by adding six parabolicmirrors (1.5 m diameter) to the existingarray of 14 mirrors. Electronic and datarecording have been made much fasterto eliminate dead-time losses. The ob-servations have yielded a positive resultfor the pulsed gamma ray emissionat energies > 500 GeV from the Velapulsar.

In Radio Astronomy, observations ofextragalactic and galactic radio sourcesand pulsars were continued using theOoty radio telescope. The sensitivityof the Ooty radio telescope was doubledby installation of new low noise RFamplifiers and improved correlators.

The structural and positional data forradio sources derived from lunar occupa-tions observations has been employed incosmological investigations.

41

Extensive observations of interstellarscintillation of pulsars have shown thatthe interstellar medium is non uniformand inhomogeneous.

Simultaneous interplanetary scintillationobservations of the quasar 1148-00from Puschino, USSR and Ootacamund,India were made and the results supporta 3- component model for the scintilla-ting component of the source. A col-laborative programme between Indiaand USSR for the study of extragalacticradio sources using the Ooty radiotelescope and telescopes in USSR onVery Long Baseline Interferometers(VLBI) was initiated.

Work on the 4-km Ooty Synthesis RadioTelescope (OSRT) is progressing satis-factorily.

Installation of a new low loss dipolearray with diode phase shifters on theOoty radio telescope is in progress.

Hydrology: Continuous measurementsof radon in the monsoon airmass overthe Arabian Sea and Bay of • Bengalwere undertaken during Monex-79.The data are being analysed

In the area of Experimental High EnergyPhysics studies continued on variousaspects of annihilation of antinucleons(pp and np) with nucleons using bubblechamber photographs.

A modern semi-automatic measuringsystem called SWEEPNIK, with an on-line PDP 11/34 computer sysem hasbeen acquired for the measurementof bubble chamber pictures.

Molecular Biology: One of the areas ofinterest in the Molecular Biology Groupis the study of genetic programmingof development, using the fruit flyDrosophila melanogaster as a modelsystem. A gene studied in detail in thisproject is called wingless and themutation of this gene causes thetransformation of wing blade to anadditional notum. Studies on the effectof temperature have shown that thisgene acts very early in development.

By making flies which are fractionallymutant, it is also seen that regionsof the fly, if mutant, show this trans-formation. This gene appears to be oneof the few early-acting developmentalgenes known in Drosophila, The fliescarrying the wingless gene sometimesgive rise to adults with one leg missingor with a deformed leg. Flies where theposterior leg is absent have been foundto have degenerate and deficientmatathoracic ganglia.

To understand the structural organisationof the chemosensory receptors for smelland taste in Drosophila, optical andelectron microscopic studies with nor-mal flies are being carried out. By usinga technique of cobalt injection it ispossible to see the connections thenerves make. This method is being usedto reconstruct the sensory networkin the leg and the antenna of the fly.

Solid State Electronics: During theyear under review, the SSE groupcontinued its research activities in theareas of interface states and amorphousmaterials. The study of Metal OxideSemiconductor by the C-V characteristicsand C-t characteristics gives valuableinformation on the existence and be-haviour of interface states betweenSilicon and SiOs. Various processes in-volved in the growth of oxide affectthe interface states.

Hydrogenated films of amorphous siliconhave been prepared by glow dischargedecomposition of SiH4 (90%) - H«(10%) mixture. Detailed measurementshave been carried out on dark andphotoconductivity, as well as opticaland infra-red absorption in the films.It has been found that the photo-response of the films compares favour-ably with the best results obtained using100% silane. Since the dilute mixtureis cheaper and less hazardous, theresult has interesting implications in thedevelopment of inexpensive solar cellsusing hydrogenated a-Si.

Electron and hole traps have beeninvestigated in n-type GaAs. In orderto find out the origin of the commonlyobserved deep electron trap in n-GaAs,

oxygen-doped LPE layers were grownat high temperatures. It was establishedthat in contradiction to the commonbelief, the trap cannot be ascribed to aGa-vacancy-oxygen complex. Experi-mental studies have also been made toinvestigate the interface states at metal-GaAs and metal-native oxide-GaAsstructures

Microwave Engineering: The activitiesof the Microwave Engineering Grouptransferred into the Special Micro-wave Products Unit sponsored by theDepartment of Electronics are in thesecond year of operation. Two projectsfor the IMD. MONEX viz. the develop-ment and installation of five radio theo-dolites and development and supplyof 3D scanner attachment to weatherradars have been completed this year.A transmit receive system for S BandTracking Radar was also developedand supplied to ISRO. Work has startedon the development of a number of newmicrowave systems and subsystems.A wide variety of microwave componentsand microwave integrated circuits havebeen developed and supplied to useragencies such as ISRO, Defence, Rail-ways etc. Action is being taken to finda new location for these activitiesoutside the Institute.

Speech & Digital Systems: In SpeechResearch, work is being continued in theareas of speech analysis, recognitionand perception. The maximum entropymethod of computing the short timespeech spectra has been studied foruse with speech signals. A perceptionexperiment is being conducted to studythe mechanism of pitch perception foraperiodic sounds. The sensitivity of thevocal tract area functions to perturbationsinformants and band widths was anal-ysed.

In the area of Digital Systems, a micro-programmed sixteen bit mini-computerwas designed around a bit-slice micro-processor. Static and dynamic randomaccess memoiies, a bus simulator and amicroprogrammed serial line interfacehave also been developed for this mini-computer. Work has also been done inthe areas of micro-diagnotics, error dete-

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cting and correcting codes and Cachememories.

A weather radar data handling systemhas been designed and developed forthe Indian Meteorology Department aspart of the Monex experiment.

In the area of Dental Research the firstannual follow-up of 36,000 individualsexamined in the base line survey of theIntervention Study has been completed.

The Homi Bhabha Centre for ScienceEducation established as a constituentpart of TIFR in July 1974, continued itsactivities of curriculum developmentand of generating educational materialin science and mathematics.

The HBCSE is exploring the feasibilityof adding new dimensions to its pro-grammes. An attempt is being made tostudy the effectiveness of mass-mediaand audio-visual channels of com-munication for undertaking worth-while programmes for school drop-outsand for adult-education. Film-strips andpictorial folders have been prepared onan experimental basis, covering variousaspects of health, hygiene and nutrition.Also, more than 25 radio programmeshave been produced to get a feel for . i spowerful medium. Efforts are beingmade to develop, field-test and evaluatethis new educational technology.

Balloon Facility, Hyderabad: During theperiod of this report, four balloonswith volumes ranging from 99,000cubic metres to 1,57,000 cubic metreswere flown to altitudes up to 38 kmswith payloads ranging from 200 kg. to650 kg. for Indo-Soviet Gamma-RayAstronomy Experiments and X-RayAstronomy Experiments of the Universi-ty cf Calgary and TIFR.

The M.F. Beacon developed by TIFRwas also flight-tested on a separateflight in this period.

The Low Temperature Facility continuesto cater to the liquid helium and liquidnitrogen requirements of the Institute,with an average monthly dispensation

of 6000 litres of liquid nitrogen and 100litres of liquid helium.

The dewar repairs shop has alreadystarted operating. A new helium liquefy-ing system will shortly be installed at thefacility.

Radioisotopes processing: A method ofelectroplating of 18IHf from aqueousbath was developed. It was extended toelectrodeposit hafnium nuclide on GdAIalloy. Molybdenum was deposited oncopper foil. Ion-exchange chromato-graphy was successfully used to sepa-rate 22sRa from -5Ac and 1(ilTb fromirradiated gadolinium. Potassium brom-ide was prepared specially from enrichedNaBr.

Summer Programme for NSTS Scholars:As in the previous years the SummerProgramme for the Postgraduate NSTSScholars was held at the Institute fromMay 21 to June 19, 1979

International Conference & Courses: AnInternational Conference on "Develop-ment and Behaviour of DrosophilaMalanogaster" was held at the Institutefrom December 19-22, 1979.

The ICRO Training Course on "GeneticStudies of Development of DrosophilaMalanogaster" was held at the Institutefrom December 24,1979 to January 12,1980.

Awards

Dr. K. S. Krishna Swamyof the Theo-retical Astrophysics Group in the In-stitute has been selected for the "ShriHari Om Ashram Prerit Dr. VikramSarabhai Research Award" for the year1979 for his achievements in the field ofPlanetary and Space Sciences.

Prof. S. Raghavan and Prof. S. Ramananwere awarded the Shanti Swamp Bhat-nagar Award for Mathematics for 1979.

Professor J . V. Narlikar received theShanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award forthe Physical Science for 1978 while Prof.S.S. Jha received the award for the samesubject for 1979. Prof. G. Govii was

given the AwardSciences for 1978.

for the Chemical

Saha Institute ofNuclear Physics

In nuclear physics, a systematic analy-sis has been made of the low energypion-nucleus scattering data using anoptical potential which takes pion ab-sorption and other second order effectsinto account. The structure of ls0 hasbeen interpreted on the basis of in-elastic scattering data of pions. Theshell model states of 20SPb, -'""Bi,-(l7Pb and 2U7TI have been determinedafter correction for the core polarization.Mass difference of nuclides 108Pd and108Ag have been determined, and theenergy levels and gamma transitions inM0Pm investigated by high resolutiongamma ray spectroscopy. A generali-sation of Cassinien Ovaloid shape hasbeen proposed to parametrise shapes ofnuclear system for the analysis of heavyion collisions. The reaction 210PO(d, p)211PO has been analysed in termsof the core polarization model. An in-depth study of w -decay model has beenundertaken with up-to-date resultsobtained from other laboratories. Thelevels of 1OfflTe have been studie usingbeam gamma spectroscopy in the cyclo-tron. The essential equipment was fabri-cated for life-time measurements ofexcited nuclear states by recoil distanceand Doppler shift attenuation technique.A new lens system was constructed tofocus deuteron beam in the CockroftWalton accelerator. A fast discriminatorwas constructed for timing with photo-multipliers. Nuclear detectors for X-raysand low energy v-rays was fabricatedusing HgL single crystals grown fromKl-acetone system. A resolution of lessthan 8Kev at 23Kev has been obtained atroom temperature. The scattering cham-ber for working with the VEC beam isin final stage of completion.

In high energy physics, the latest dataon multiplicity and inclusive hadronproduction in e + - e - annihilation athigh energy have been interpretedwithin the framework of hydrodynamicmodel. Massive lepton pair production

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and hadron jets in e ' - e- annihi-lation have also been studied.

In solid state physics, the electronicstructure of the ordered binary alloyhas been treated in a Bethe-Latticemodel. The critical behaviour of acousticattenuation at the order-disorder transi-tion point in a disordered binary alloyand also the acoustic attenuation inan uni-axial ferroelectric have beenanalysed. The structural instability inone-dimensional electron-phonon sys-tem has been studied in unharmonicphonon model. Phase transition indeuterated cobalt-silico-flourite has beendetected from the sharp discontinuityin the quadrupole splitting in deuteronNMR and also from its anomalouselectrical property.

The ;>7Fe Mössbauer spectroscopiestudy in Co (en)3 FeCN6 (where enis ethylene diamine) revealed largequadrupole splitting. PAC measurementof the (122-14) Kev cascade of "Fein CoClg solution in water showed un-attenuated angular correjation upto 200ns, indicating the low spin configurationof Fe2+ions. 13C NMR spectra ofcamphene in plastic crystalline phaseat room temperature have been recordedand analysed for determination of chemi-cal shift, spin-lattice relaxation time,nuclear overhauser enhancement factorand I3C—'H coupling constants.Microwave spectrum of 3 fluorophenolin the ground vibrational state has beenanalysed in the frequency range 12.5to 18.0 and 21.5 to 25.0 GHz. TheUrey-Bradley force constant of chloro-fluoromethene has been evaluated.Laser Raman spectra of NiTiFc6H2Ohave been studied at low temperature.The near I-R spectra of apophylliteand messlite have been recorded both atroom and low temperatures, indicatingthe presence of hydrogen bonds in thesystems. The total collision cross-sectionof Ne + and Ne and helium have beenstudied using a mass spectroscope.

In plasma physics, investigation hasbeen carried out on non-linear wavepropagation, wave-wave interaction,parametric excitation of waves in plasma,and the development of a modified

reductive perturbation technique for non-linear wave propagation. The coefficientcf viscosity of a gaseous plasma,equilibrium radiation field in an as-sembly of particles, ion-density on thecathode in a plasma source, plasmainstabilities using the PIG source andionization waves in a glow discharge,RF of the cathode sheath in PIG dis-charge and the frequencies of wavesin a bounded magneto plasma, havebeen studied. Conceptual studies of amachine based on the magnetic con-finement of torroidal plasmas have beenmade and the basic parameters of atorroidal unit have been fixed, and thedesign of such a unit is nearing comple-tion. Design of a Nd-glass laser systemhaving power output of 1 GW has beencompleted.

In radiochemistry, studies on separationof different radio-nuclides involving in-organic and organic liquid ion-ex-changers is being continued. Separationof various oxidation states of sulfurthrough the separation of recoil sulfurspecies formed in nuclear reaction of35CI (n, p) 35S in alkali halides andseparation of different pairs of elementsby solvent extraction methods are alsoin progress.

In radiation chemistry, the radio lysis ofpyrimidine bases using radio paper-chromatography and spectra photome-try, and the work on radiation-inducedsimultaneous graft co-polymerisationof different monomers into low costnatural polymers like cellulose films,are in progress.

In electronic instrumentation, the con-struction of a 4-6 GHZ frequencysynthesizer generating 1,50,000 crystalstable frequencies at output power levelof approximately 2 watts, is continuing.

In bio-science, studies have been madeon the role of collective modes inmacro-molecular dynamics and of meta-stable states, particularly those possess-ing giant dipole moments. The import-ance of order-disorder transitions (speci-fically the gel -> liquid crystalline phasechange in the acyltails of phospho-lipids) in biology has been investigated

yielding encouraging results with theexcitable nerve membrane as the focusof attention. Investigation on populationdynamics, epidemiology, nerve wavepropagation and population geneticsis in progress.

Crystal structures of a large number ofbiologically important compounds andtheir metal-complexes have been de-termined by X-ray crystallographic met-hods using visual as well as d if f facto-metric data with the idea of correlatingstructural parameters with biologicalfunctions.

EPR study of Y-irradiated chloram-phenicol indicates the presence of freeradical at the =<-carbon atom of themolecule, which again seems to causechange of antibiotic activity of the drugin protein synthesis and overall bacterialgrowth in E-coli.

In protein crystallography, three prote-ins, abrin (M. W. 64000), abrus lectin(M.W. 128000) andovalbumin (M. W.45000) have been purified and crystal-lized. Since the protein crystals thusgrown are too small for X-ray crystal-lographic investigations, attempts arenow being made to grow larger crystals.Theoretical study of electronic structuresand conformations of molecules ofbiological and pharmacological impor-tance by PCILO method yielded interes-ting results.

In the studies of enzymes, some techni-ques have been developed for theproduction of pure isozymes of L-amylases from goat pancreas on a largescale. Activation and inhibition studiesof the major component have been madewith Ca ++ , Sr++, Zn++, Cu++,Mn++ and monoiodoacetate. In phy-sical biochemistry, a non collagenousfrom a cartilagenous tissue has beenpurified. Its characterisation and influ-ence on the aggregational properties oftropocollagen molecules are underinvestigation. The isolation and purifi-cation of montoxic lectin from theseeds of Abrusprecatorious (Linn) havealready been made and its binding witherythrocyte membranes are beingstudied. A drastic change in the topo-

44

graphy of cell surface due to lectine tc- 50°C) was found to increase sub- blood component therapy and can bebinding has been observed. sequent sensitivity to X-ray exposures. life-saving instruments in many cases.

Molecular mechanism of the actionof furazolidone, a synthetic nitrofuran ofcurrent clinical use in human cases,was not known but has now beenworked out in detail using the Vibriocholerae as the model cell system.Immediately after the incorporation intothe cells, the drug undergoes metabolictransformation leading to the formationof inter-strand cress-links in DNA,which forms the basis of the inhibitionof DNA biosynthesis by this drug.

The formation of malonic dialdehyde(MDA) as the further reaction productof lipid peroxidation in the liposomalmembrane has been detected by thethiobarbituric TBA) assay method. Far(254 nm) and near (365 nm) ultra-violet light and also the sun light causedappreciable MDA production in mem-brances directly. This finding is signifi-cant in explaining that the ultravioletor sun light induced skin damage is adirect effect and need not be mediatedthrough primary changes in the nucleicacids of the cells.

Methods for the preparation of the unila-mellar liposomes derived from the purephospholipids or from the phosholipidsisolated from V. Cholerae cells havebeen developed. Chromatographic char-acterization by a Sepharose 4B columnresolved that the particle weight andthe Stokes radius of the unilamellarvessicles, thus prepared were 3.3 x 106

odaltons and 101 A respectively.

Methods have been standardized tocollect and purify goat serum for usein tissue culture in place of importedfetal calf serum, without serious lossin plating efficiency and growthcharacteristics.

Tetracycline, a commonly used anti-biotic, has been found to induce 8-Azaguanine resistant mutations in cul-tured Chinese hamster cells.

For Chinese hamster cells, pretreatmentwith heat (temperatures between 40°C

Electron microsccpic studies on thechanges in the ultra-structure of mito-chondria and conformation of mito-chindrial DNA in the adult and new bornrat brain and also human blood cellsunder normal and malignant states arein progress.

Tata Memorial Centre

Tata Memorial Hospital

In 1979, there was a 5% increase in newpatient attendance over the previousyear. 18,153 new cases reported to thehospital during the current year. Thenumber of operations performed duringthe year was 10.968, which is 5% morethan of last year. 5;930 patients wereadmitted into the wards, which was11% more than in 1978.

During the year, a new Cobalt 60 the-rapy unit 'Gammarex'—a totally in-digenous model, and a 10-MeV LinearAccelerator were installed. The Cobalt60 unit has started functioning whilethe Accelerator will become functionalsoon.

In-patient beds were increased with thecommissioning of a new Radiotherapyward, a Microsurgery ward, a Urologyward and a Nutrition Ward. The totplbed strength during the year was234, 10 more than last year. Thebed strength would soon be increasedto 300.

For speedy examination of body fluids,new instrumentation was added in thebio-chemistry laboratories viz. the KineticAnalysis System for Enzyme studiesand the End Point System for coloro-metric clinical bio-chemistry.

In the Chemotherapy Department, anew Haemonetics Cell Separator, aKelvinator Ultracold Deep FreezerUC 519 and a Virtis Unitrap ii, B 9801Lyophilizer weer obtained through agenerous donation from the Sir DorabTata Trust. These units will facilitate

Clinical research activities were alsoincreased with the collaboratien ofscientists in the Cancer Research In-stitute. The activities related to evaluationof treatment and formulation of newtherapeutic modalities. Combination the-rapies are increasingly undertaken andan improvement in controlling a varietyof cancers was achieved, especiallyin the case of lymphomas and leu-kaemias.

Students working for post-graduate de-grees ct the University of Bombayreceived training in a number of de-partments. Many hospital staff membersare recognised teachers for the M.D.(Radiology), Diploma in Radiation The-rapy. Master of Surgeiy, Diploma andM.D. Degree in Anaesthesiology andM.D. in Pathology of the University.Liaison with the teaching faculty of thecity is an increasing activity at thehospital. The statisticians at the hospitaland the Cancer Research Institute jointlyconducted a bio-statistics course for thepost-graduate students of the Foodsand Nutrition Department of the S.N.D.T.Women's University, Bombay. The hospi-tal continues to act as a centre forimparting practical training in HealthPhysics to students attending the specialcourses conducted by the BhabhaAtomic Research Centre.

The W. H. O's collaborative researchproject on End Results Reporting con-tinued in association with selectedFrench and Russian Cancer Centres.

A new wing is being constructed inthe old building of the Hospital. Thisextension will provide more space forancillary services such as kitchen, main-tenance services in the basement, radio-logy and medical records department,and additional charity beds in the maleand female wards.

In collaboration with the Indian CancerSociety, the Centre hosted the FourthAsian Cancer Congress in Bombay.The Hospital also conducted a one-day

45

refresher course on cancer for generalpractitioners.

Cancer Research Institute

The ongoing prospective epidemio-logical study of white collar workersindicated that cancer incidence ratewas low in them compared to the generalpopulation.

Tar and nicotin in tobacco smoke are themain health hazards for man. Investi-gations of cigarettes and bidis toassess the tar and nicotin levels indicatethat the Indian bidis have the highestknown levels, followed by the Indiancigarettes, which are both far higherthan the current international standards.Hukka smoke was found to contain thelowest levels of these hazardous chemi-cals.

An anti-leprosy vaccine is being develop-ed. Preliminary trials indicate that thevaccine is safe and produces no visibleuntoward effects. Isoniazid, a drugroutinely used in treatment of tubercu-losis was found to produce cancers ofthe lung and liver in mice, but not inrats. The potential of Isoniazid to producehuman cancer is under investigation.In collaboration with the BARC, inve. t i -gations are in progress to estimatenitrosamine (an established carcinogen)contents of different brands of tobaccoused as an additive in pan.

Studies carried out over a long periodhave indicated that cancer patients arecapable of producing a low graderesponse to tumour-associated antigens.Efforts are being concentrated uponpotentiating the immune reactivity oflymphocytes obtained from cancer pati-ents. It has so far been possible togenerate cytotoxic T-lymphocytes withthe ability to kill target chronic myeloidleukemia cells in tissue culture, byincubating the patients" own lympho-cytes with cells and lymphocytes ob-tained from a normal person as stimula-

tors. Attempts are also being made topotentiate immune functions of theT-lymphocytes obtained from patientstreated with a drug popularly k n o was BM 12531, a derivative of 2-cyanaziridine. RNA exfacted from lymp-hoid tissues of guinea pigs immunizedwith leukemie cells is being testedfor its ability to boost responses oflymphocytes obtained from cancer pati-ents, as well as normal individuals,against tumour-associated antigens.

Studies are also being undertaken toclassify lymphomas according to theircell surface markeis and differentialresponses to therapy. Studies on mem-brane components of malignant diseasesof the white blood cells indicate thatdifferent types of cancers exhibit varia-tions in membrane proteins, glycoprote-ins and glycolipids. Leukemie cells,which under the microscope appearto be homogeneous, are found to differin their surface electrical charges asdetected by the new technique of Iso-electro-focussing. These differences maydenote different levels of immaturityof these cells.

It was shown by CRI earlier that the Ph.Chromosome is absent in a largenumber of T.M.H. patients with chronicmyeloid leukemia. Such patients havea bad prognosis. This year it was foundthat the Ph-chromosome is also seenin rare cases of multiple myelomawhich is, in fact, a cancer of antibody-producing (plasma) cells. Similarly,chromosomal abnormalities such as pre-ponderance of chromosome numbers8, 18 and 21 have been observed insome cases of Hodgkin's disease. Amethod has been developed to enucleatecells by cytcchalasin-B, for rapid le-versible depolymerization of the cytc-skeleton. This technique will also proveuseful to study the role of the nucleusin the organisation and controlof cellularcytoskeletal elements (microtubules andmicrofilaments) which exhibit certainabnormalities in cancer cells.

A simple system has also been developedto grow cells from the developing brain.Two types of cell-colonies have beenidentified—namely the epithelial and thespindle celled. Further analysis sugges-ts that the epithelial colony may berepresentative of the "stem" cells (themother cells for both neurones andglial cells) in the brain.

It has been observed that human urinecontains high molecular weight anti-LHproteins which interfere with the growthpattern of mammary tumours in labora-tory animals.

Using tissue culture techniques, weobserved that the commonly used an-aesthetics, pentobarbital and pheno-barbital , exhibit some degree of radio-protectivity, which could have somerelevance in cancer therapy.

Drug resitance often creates a majorproblem in the treatment of humancancer. Tumour sublines resistant to thecommonly used drugs have beendeveloped in this laboratory, whichcould be used to study the anti-canceractivity of the conventionally useddrugs.

Fourteen students received the Ph. D.and seven their M. Sc. degree from theInstitute. Five students obtained theM.Sc. in bio-physics by papers.

The Institute hosted an InternationalSymposium on "Environment Carcino-genesis" in December 1979. A one-daymeeting on oral cancer was also held.A training course in instrumentationwas organised in collaboration withthe I.C.M.R's Institute for Researchin Reproduction, to acquaint ResearchFellows and other with sophisticatedequipment and techniques being em-ployed in research laboratories today.An annually recurring three monthtraining course on "Investigative andPreventive Oncology" has been initiatedat the Institute. The first batch reportedat the Institute in January 1980.

46

PUBLIC SECTORUNDERTAKINGS

Indian Rare Earths Ltd.A major achievement of the Companyduring the year was the successfulconclusion of a contract for sale ofilmenite in the US market. The demandfor ilmenite is very sluggish and tothis extent the conclusion of the con-tract augurs well for the Company.The export market for R.E. Chloride isvery buoyant, and the Company's sharein it would have been appreciablyhigher, but for the inadequate avail-ability of monazite, a basic raw-materialfor rare earths compounds. To overcomethis problem, the Company has set up apre-concentrator facility with a capitaloutlay cf Rs. 82 lakhs. With the com-missioning of this facility, the product-ion of monazite would improve in thecoming year.

While the sales have increased, thenet profit after tax has come down.During the year 1979-80 it was aroundRs 75 lakhs as compared to Rs. 96.5lakhs in 1978-79. This lower profitwas due to increased cost of inputsconsequent on the inflationary trendsin the market coupled with non-availability of key raw materials, andpower shortages.

In respect of the work on the OSCOMproject, the Company has made furtherheadway. Contracts for most of thecivil works have been awarded. Workon the construction of a housingcolony is in progress. The Governmenthas so far released funds to the extent ofRs 1627 lakhs upto March 31, 1979;about Rs. 850 lakhs will be releasedduring 1979-80.

The sales turnover of the Companywas of the order of Rs. 1039 lakhs asagainst Rs. 877.8 lakhs in the previous

year. Its export earnings also registereda growth from Rs. 464.4 lakhs in theprevious year to Rs. 511 lakhs in thecurrent year.

Foreign Exchange Earnings

Year

1964-651965-661966-671967-681968-691969-701970-711971-721972-731973-741974-751975-761976-771977-781978-79

ForeignExchange

earned

Rs inlakhs

50.156.9

107.4135.4115.0149.2123.8169.5169.9310.9436.5281.1597.4485.8464.4

SalesTurnover

Rs inlakhs

83.4399.31

158.48199.05182.06227.61224.85315.70335.50478.80659.13601.62937.95871.65877.83

Electronics Corporation ofIndia Ltd.Production and income for the year1978-79 reached Rs. 3454 lakhs andRs. 3591 lakhs respectively. The com-pany incurred a loss of Rs. 145.64 lakhsduring the year 1978-79. The loss wasmainly due to the impact of the revisionof pay scales of employees, increasein tht cost cf raw materials, writing offof obsolete stores of Rs. 62.73 lakhs,and deletion of finished stocks andwork-in-progress of Rs. 22.23 lakhswhich had accumulated during theprevious years.

The following steps have been takenfor improvir;, the operating results of thecorporation:

(i) Improving the product-mix of the

divisions by discontinuing production oflosing products;

(ii) Fixation of norms of inventoriesand sundry debtors for each of thedivisions and reducing the level ofrequirement cf working capital;

(iii) Reviewing the current selling pricesof the product;

(iv) Increasing the volume of product-ion/sales activity for absorbing the in-crease in the expenses;

(v) Organisation of cost reduction pro-grammes so as to improve the contri-bution of the products towards fixedexpenses and profits; and

(vi) Obtaining higher cost savings inthe procurement of materials, includingreviewing prices paid for proprietoryitems.

The Company is confident of achievingfavourable results in the coming yearsby the implementation of the abovemeasures.

The Company has saved foreign ex-change to the tune of Rs. 15 crores,thereby increasing the foreign exchangesavings since its inception to Rs 83crores.

Production Activity

The production programme of the cor-poration covers a wide range of sop-histicated and precision electronics sy-stems, instruments and components.EClL's range accounts for over 250products.

During the year 1978-79, the companysupplied Rs. 133 lakhs worth of in-strumentation and equipment to variousnuclear power projects under the De-partment of Atomic Energy. For theyear 1979-80, it is proposed to supplyinstrumentation worth Rs. 207 lakhs forvarious nuclear power projects. ECILhas been able to take up instrumentationprojects for non-nuclear projects aswell. The Corporation's present in-strumentation activities cover nuclear

47

power plants, chemical, petro-chemicaland fertilizer plants.

New Products

The new products developed duringthe year include programmable logiccontrollers, micro-processor based datalogger and event sequence recorders,search and rescue beacon, temperaturerespirator monitor, radio message system,hydro-mechanical governor, dial weigh-bridge printer, etc. In the field of com-puters, the Corporation has developeda medium-large 32-bit computer calledTDC-332 EDP system employing TDC-316 computer, disc-oriented TDC-312EDP systems, automatic message switch-ing system for application in Defenceservices.

Ancilliary Industries: The Corporationobtained supplies to the tune of Rs. 250lakhs worth of fabricated parts during

1978-79 consisting of TV components,printed circuit boards, chokes, etc. fromancilliary units.

Uranium Corporation ofIndia Ltd.During 1978-79 the Uranium Corpora-tion of India Ltd. made a profit of Rs.63.31 lakhs, which is the highest everachieved by the Company. The pro-duction of uranium concentrate washigher by 31.5% as compared to theprevious year. Capacity utilisation, bothin the mine and plant was also morethan the previous year. The resultswould have been still higher but for thepower interruptions/restrictions involv-ing a loss of 12.5% of the productiontime.

The By-product Recovery Plant forrecovery of copper and molybdenumminerals worked satisfactorily during theyear. The production from the Uranium

Recovery Plant at Surda was lower asits working was affected by the fre-quent power failures and the stoppagesof the South Bank Copper Concentratorof Hindustan Copper Ltd., (HCL), whichprovides the feed for this plant.

The plant at Surda has been expandedto treat all the available copper tailings.The Pilot Plant set up at Rakha forinvestigating the Rakha Copper con-centrator tailings of HCL for recoveryof uranium values is functioning satis-factorily. It has also been decided toset up a pilot plant at Mossaboni forundertaking systematic investigations ofthe copper tailings for uranium valuesof yet another copper concentrator ofHCL located here.

For recovering magnetite from the Jadu-guda Mill tailings, a full scale plant isexpected to be erected shortly; theplant will be in operation by the end of1979-80.

48

OTHERACTIVITIES

Directorate^ Purchase and Stores

Purchase Units: The volume of workhandled by the Central Purchase Unitat Bombay, and the Regional PurchaseUnits of this Directorate at Madras,Hyderabad, Kota, Delhi and Calcuttafor the year 1979-80 is as under:

Total number of Indents 43836 *Total number of Orders 46770 *Cash purchases made 3555 *Value of purchases made

(in lakhs of rupees) 5936 *

('figures have been projected on thebasis öf actual workload till end January1980)

During the' year DPS concluded manymajor contracts, particularly for NaroraAtomic Power Project and BBTP/SSTP.These contracts include some of thecritical items such as heat exchangers,415 volts medium voltage switchgear,fuelling machine columns, reactor head-er assembly, reactor coolant channelsealing plug assemblies etc for NaroraAtomic Power Project and hot rolledalloy steel round billets, SS round bars,high carbon chromium ball and rollerbearing steel, SS rounds etc. for BBTP/SSTP.

Transport Et Clearance : The Directoratecontinued to handle the clearance andtransportation of materials pertainingto the various Projects/Units of DAE.From April to December 1979 the T&CUnit at Central Purchases Unit hadcleared more than 7000 consignmentsand the Madras Regional Purchase Unit1525 consignments.

Stores Units: The number of Issues andReceipts transactions handled by theStores Units together during the yearwere more than 10 lakhs.

The Stores Units in DAE hold almost4 crores items in stock and over2 crores of dead stock items.

Work relating to construction of O&MStores Building for MAPP at Kalpakkam,a store shed for transit materials of thePower Projects at Trombay VillageStores Complex, a Stores building forthe R-5 Project, also at BARC, Trombayare in advanced stages of completion.Additional Stores buildings have beenplanned at the Uranium Metal Plant atTrcmbay, Inflammable Stores at theNarora Atomic Power Project and HeavyWater Project, Kota.

The revenue realised from sale of scrapand disposal of condemned vehiclesincreased to Rs. 51 lakhs, from similarsales amounting to Rs. 32 lakhs.

Civil Engineering Division

The Division undertakes constructionof residential/office/laboratory buildingsfor the various units of the Departmentin Bombay and other centres in thecountry. In July 1979, it completed theDAE Secretariat building at Bombay.Among the works it ha? in hand are: ahostel block and flatlets for the TIFR inBombay; Radiology building and exten-sion to the out-patients department ofthe Tata Memorial Centre, Bombay;Regional Instrumentation Centre of theUniversity of Bombay; Laboratory blocksand engineering hall at Hyderabad forthe Atomic Minerals Division; extensionsto the second and third floors of the VEClab at Calcutta; and a stores shed for theNarora Atomic Power Project at Trom-bay.

Among the jobs the Division proposesto take up during 1980-81 are:construction of 276 flats of differentcategories, a Junior College and ex-tension to the Second Primary School—all in the Trombay Township; 70 flats inhostel block of the TIFR, Bombay, andhousing colonies for TIFR staff stationedat Ooty. Bangalore and the Kolar GoldFields; construction of one phase of theDAE housing colony at Calcutta.

structure of the DAE pavilion in theIndia International Trade Fair at NewDelhi in October 1979. This pavilionwas awarded the first prize by theTrade Fair Authorities.

Financial Assistance

On the advice of the Board cf Researchin the Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) andits Advisory Committees, financial as-sistance was given during the year touniversities and research institutionsfor work on 138 research projectsrelating to the nuclear sciences andallied disciplines. Fellowships were alsoawarded for research in the physicaland chemical sciences, engineeringsciences, life sciences and mathe-matics.

Besides providing financial support tothe three aided institutions under theadministrative control of the Depart-ment viz. the Tata Institute of Funda-mental Research, Bombay; the TataMemorial Centre, Bombay; and the SahaInstitute of Nuclear Physics, Calcutta,the Department made part contributionsfor the operation and maintenance of theInstitute of Mathematical Sciences, Mad-ras, and the Mehta Research Institute ofMathematics and Mathematical Physics,Allahabad. Financial assistance hasalso been given to the Indian Academyof Science, Bangalore, for its public-ation activities.

Financial assistance has been providedfor the organisation of symposia/work-shops in the following areas under theauspices of BRNS and its AdvisoryCommittees:

(i) Sintering & Sintered Products, (ii)Hydrogen in Metals, (iii) Nuclear Physics& Srlid State Physics, (iv) InfraredTechniques & Instrumentation, (v) PlantTissue Culture, (vi) Management ofEnvironment, (vii) Nuclear Chemistry &Radio Chemistry, (viii) Heat Transferand Fluid Mechanics, (xi) Application ofNuclear Techniques in Hydrology and(x) Induced Mutation in Crop Im-provement.

The DVision constructed the internal The Department also provided partial

49

financial assistance for the followingsymposia/conference activities:

(i) International Symposiumon "DeccanVolcantsm and related besalt provincesin other parts of the World" by St.Xavier's College, Bombay, (ii) Publi-cation of Dr Homi Bhabha lectureseries by Allahabad Sub-Centre ofInstitution of Engineers, India, (iii)International Seminar on Science &Technology and Society in DevelopingCountries by Nehru Centre, Bombay,(iv) Conference on Liquid Crystals byRaman Research Institute, Bangalore,(v) XXth International Conference onCoordination Chemistry, (vi) AnnualConvention of Chemists organised by theIndian Chemical Society, (vii) Inter-national Seminar on Proliferation, Age-ing & Cancer by Cancer Institute,Madras, (viii) National Symposiumon the Science & Technology ot Vacu-um Surfaces and thin films by the IndianVacuum Society, (ix) Symposium onFood Proteins by the Loyola College,Madras, (x) Workshop for appraisingthe Industrial Management on RadioIsotopes Techniques, organised byNAARRI, (xi) Fifth Scientific meetingof the Environmental Mutagen Societyof India, (xii) Xlth Conference of theSociety of Nuclear Medicine in India,(xiii) International Symposium on Com-puter Networks, by the ComputerSociety of India, (xiv) International Sym-posium on 100 years of Malaria Research,by the Institute of Post-Graduatb Medi-cal Educatie n & Research, Calcutta,(xv) National Symposium on Child withGenetic Defects by the Indian Societyof Human Genetics, (xvi) Conferenceon Aluminium Metallurgy by the IndianInstitute of Science, Bangalore, (xvii)Winter School on Crystallographies Com-puting Techniques, by the Indian In-stitute of Science, Bangalore, (xviii)Symposium on Ion Exchange Pheno-mena by Ca\cutta University, (xix)Annual Metallurgist Day and TechnicalMeeting at Hyderabad, (xx) Seminaron Frontier of Nuclear Structure Physicsby the Indian Physics Association (xxi)Conference on Radiation Protection inDiagnostic Radiology by the TrivandrumMedical College, (xxii) Fourth Nation-al Symposium on Cryogenics by the

Indian Cryogenics Council, (xxiii)Seventh Annual Conference en Radia-tion Protection, by the Indian Associationfor Radiation Protection, (xxiv) NationalWorkshop in Evolution of Life andIntelligence in the Universe, (xxv)Indo-US Conference on Science &Technology of Rare Earth Materials byI.I.T., Kanpur, (xxvi) Third Annual Con-ference by Association of Medical Phy-sicists in India and (xxvii) All IndiaSymposium on Management of IndianSciences for Development of Self Reli-ance organised by Society of YoungScientists.

Contributory Health ServiceScheme (CHSS)

The CHSS presently covers some53,000 beneficiaries. Around 4,95,000patients were treated in the variousdispensaries during the year.

The bed strength of the BARC Hospitalis 160. During the year, about 6100patients were treated. Echocardiographywas used in various cardiac conditionstc enhance the evaluation of complexclinical problems. Conventional isotoperenography, together with radioimmuno-assay, angiotension estimations wereused in some cases of hypertension.34,000 patients were treated in theHospital Outpatient Departments. 1700surgical, 1000 ENT, 160 ophthalmic,1400 gynaec operations (major andminor) was conducted.

During the year, 200 medical termi-nation of pregnancy (MTP). and 170sterilizations were carried out. A newmethod—Laparoscopic sterilization withfalope ring, was used for sterilization.

The Pathology Section conducted a-round 1,24,000 investigations, bothroutine and specialized. 13,000 X-rayinvestigations were done. The dentalclinics attended to about 17,000 cases.In the Psychiatric Unit, 110 new caseswere treated and 4500 cases werefollowed up. The Social ServiceSection renders assistance to around18,000 people.

Project Monitoring Cell

The Project Monitoring Cell of theDepartment monitors the physical andfinancial progress of its variuous con-struction projects and furnishes periodi-cal reports with a view to identifyingactual or potential delays, or otherproblems.

The Cell is given the responsibility toorganise a Data Bank for developingtime standards and cost standards forall activities of the projects. It will alsocompile an approved list of vendorsafter systematic evaluation of their per-formance for different types of equip-ment and material, and identify areasin planning/monitoring where compu-terisation is necessary. It would alsodevelop necessary software for compu-terisation. These data will be used asinput for planning future projects of theDepartment.

Planning & Analysis Group

The Planning and Analysis Group (PAG)assists the Department in reviewing theperformance of public sector units underthe Department, in examining projectproposals, and in studies relating to theimprovement of the functioning of theconstituent units, especially thoseengaged in industrial activities.

During the year the Group designed theManagement Information System forthe Tubes Division of the Nuclear FuelComplex, Hyderabad, and for the Tara-pur and Rajasthan Atomic Power Sta-tions. In addition, it carried out studieson (a) the capital cost and generationcost of power from nuclear and thermalsources, (b) the organisational struc-ture of the Nuclear Fuel Complex, (c)the working capital requirement forcommercial production of Co 60, (d)the training needs of personnel in theDAE and its constituent units, and (e)policies and procedures for transfer oftechnology from BARC to the industry,(f) Preliminary socio-economic feasi-bility of setting up a commercial scaleirradiation facility for preservaticn ofwheat.

50

Review of DAE's Administrativeand Management Procedures

During 1979, the Secretary, DAE cons-tituted a committee consisting of seniorofficers of the Department to reviewthe administrative and management pro-cedures and practices followed in thetransaction of business in the Depart-ment and its conrtituent units. TheCommittee was to examine the matterbroadly with reference to general issuesand to the adequacy of the existingdelegation of powers, having regard tothe special nature of the organisationand suggest areas where improvementsand modifications could be made inthe interest of more efficient, quickerand smoother disposal of work. TheCommittee has completed its assignedtask and the report submitted by it isunder consideration of the Department.

Publicity

The Publicity Division was responsiblefor completing two training and onedocumentary films viz "Wonderful Atom"(Hindi), "Waste Management and Nu-clear Power" (English) in two partsthrough the Films> Division of the Govern-ment of India. At the instance of thisDivision, the Films Division has takenup production of two more documentaryfilms entitled "In the Service of Man-kind", depicting uses of Atomic Energyand "Molecular Disorder", a documen-tary on Cancer. Preparation of synopsis,co-ordination in preparing scripts, pro-duction schedule with the concernedunits and agencies was also undertakenand completed.

Mobile exhibitions for the benefit of thestudent community were organised invarious schools and colleges in differentStates. The Department participated inthe India International Trade Fair heldin New Delhi from November 10 toDecember 9, 1979 where its pavilionwas given the first prize for excellencein display.

This Division made all preliminaryarrangements for hosting the 23rdGeneral Conference of the InternationajAtomic Energy Agency held in New Delhi

in December 1979 and extended supportfacilities during the General Conferenceto the Conference Bureau set up by theGovernment.

The Department brings out an Englishand a Hindi bulletin viz Nuclear India(English), a monthly, and Parmaanu(Hindi), a quarterly, besides sales andpublicity literature.

Enforcement of the Orders Relatingto Scheduled Castes and ScheduledTribes

Orders for reservation for SC/ST candi-dates in services were made applicableto the scientific and technical staff ofthe Department from 1975. There are13 constituent units under the admini-strative control of the Department. Eachunit has a Liaison Officer nominated tolook after the interests of SC/ST in thisregard. There is a cell in the Dept.headed by an officer of the rank ofDeputy Secretary to oversee and en-sure implementation of the orders. Thisofficer functions as the Chief LiaisonOfficer of the Department in this srea.

The total number of employees under theDepartment and its constituent units ason 1.1.1980 was 28,083, of which2793 were SC employees and 381 STemployees.

Joint Consultative Machinery andCompulsory Arbitration Scheme

The Joint Consultative and Compul-sory Arbitration Scheme was started inthe Department during 1979. A Depart-mental Council under the Chairmanshipof the Additional Secretary has beenconstituted. The council met thriceduring the year.

Use of Hindi

During the year; 219 employees fromdifferent constituent units cf the De-partment received training under theHindi Teaching Scheme of the Ministryof Home Affairs. 64 employees weretrained in Hindi typing and 2 in HindiShorthand. Devnagari typewriters werealso purchased by some units. A Hindi

Workshop was organised in the Uran-ium Corporation of India Ltd, Jadugudafor training Hindi-knowing employeesin noting and drafting. 27 employeesparticipated in the workshop.

Two meetings of the DepartmentalOfficial Languages ImplementationCommittee were held during the year1979-80. An Official Languages Impl-ementation Committee was constitutedin the Narora Atomic Power Project.

The Third sub-Committee of the Com-mittee of Parliament on Official Lan-guages visited Offices of the RajasthanAtomic Power Project and Heavy WaterProject, Kota, and the Nuclear ResearchLaboratory of this Department at Gul-marg. The Government of India haddecided to celebrate the year 1979 asthe 'Official Languages Year'. Accor-dingly, the Bhabha Atomic ResearchCentre, the Power Projects EngineeringDivision, Bombay, the Rajasthan AtomicPower Project, and the Heavy WaterProject, at Kota etc. arranged specialcultural programmes, debates etc. topopularise Hindi. The Rajasthan AtomicPower Project and the Heavy WaterProject, Kota introduced the CashAward Scheme for encouraging use ofHindi in noting and drafting. Prizeswere given to employees who mademaximum use of Hindi.

Atomic Energy Education Society

The Atomic Energy Education Societyruns schools at 5 centres, namelyBombay, Tarapur, Hyderabad, Jadugudaand Narora. The total present strength ofpupils has crossed the 10 thousandmark, an increase of nearly 1,500 overlast years'number. In Bombay alone, thestudents strength exceeds 4,100. Teach-ers and other supporting staff of allthe schools number more than 450.

The Junior College started last year atAnushakti nagar, Trombay has a studentstrength of 143 in the first year, and 78in the second year. The first batch willbe appearing for the examination of theMaharashtra State Board of Secondaryand Higher Secondary Education, Punethis year.

51

The benefits of CHSS has been exten-ded to all the employees of AECSchools in Bombay. Over a hundredmembers of staff and their familieswill be benefited by this scheme.Members of staff and their families atother centres are already covered underthe Health Schemes operating there.

The Society has introduced a new wel-fare measure known as AEES EmployeesFamily Relief Scheme for the staffmembers of all AEC Schools. Thesalient feature of the scheme is to givemonetary assistance (a) to a memberof the scheme who is permanentlyincapacitated while in service (b) anominee of the member of the schemeif the member dies while in service and(c) a member of the scheme whc retireson superannuation after a continuousservice of 5 years under the Societyfrom the date of adoption of the scheme.

International Relations

India continued to participate in allimportant activities of the InternationalAtomic Energy Agency.

For the 23rd year in succession sincethe inception of the International AtomicEnergy Agency, India was designateda Member of its Board of Governors.The appointment is based on India'sstanding as one of the nine member-countries most advanced in the fieldof atomic energy.

At the invitation of the Government ofIndia, the IAEA held its 23rd GeneralConference in New Delhi from Decem-ber 4 to 10, 1979. delegates from 8 1 -Msmber-States, Representatives of theUnited Nations, and a number of itsagencies (UNIDO, UNDP, FAO andWHO) and inter-governmental and non-governmental organisations participatedin the Conference which was inaugu-rated by the Prime Minister.

Dr Homi N. Sethna, Secretary, Depart-ment of Atomic Energy and Chairmanof the Atomic Energy Commission, waselected President of the General Con-ference.

An IAEA Topical Seminar on Operationand Maintenance of Nuclear PowerPlants in Developing Countries was

held at Kaipakkam near Madras fromNovember 5-9, 1979.

India continued to provide facilities fortraining and scientific visits to foreigntrainees and scientists sponsored by theIAEA under its Technical AssistanceProgramme.

Bilateral Collaboration: A prttocol forco-operation between India and Polandin the peaceful utilisation of atomicenergy for the year 1980-81 wassigned on December 10, 1979.

Deputations Abroad: During the calen-dar year 1979, 226 officers of theDepartment were sent on deputation/delegation abroad in connection withmeetings, conferences, training pro-grammes, specific assignments, andother official work. The total expend-iture on the deputations amounted toRs. 18.62 lakhs which included aforeign exchange component of Rs.5.12 lakhs. In 46 cases, the expend-iture on deputations was wholly orpartly borne by foreign Governments,international organisations and otheragencies.

Published by Jagannath Sharma, Publications Officer, Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, 1, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Marg, Bombay 400 039and Printed by N. S. Ray at The Book Centre Ltd. Sion (East), Bombay 400 022.

Annual Report ofThe Department ofAtomic Energy 1979-1

Cover : The Bhabha Atomic Raeeareh Centre,Trombay. Th» Modular Laboratories ,(long building) can be taan In the centra.The Engineering Halts are in theforeground while the RadiologicalLaboratories can be teen in the background.

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