Vol. 42, No. 1-4 (2005)

40 years of The Nucleus (Special Edition)

CONTENTS

Recollections from the Early Days of THE PAEC
I.H. QURESHI

Abstract                                                                                                     Full text

A committee constituted in January 1955 to prepare R&D program for the utilization of nuclear energy, recommended the establishment of the Atomic Energy Commission, which was created on February 24th 1956. Dr. Nazir Ahmad, the first chairman, assumed the office on April 11th, 1956. The commission chalked out the plan of actions and recruited a few scientists and engineers who were sent abroad for training. In the meantime a small laboratory with limited facilities was set-up in Karachi. The actual implementation of the plans began soon after the appointment of Dr.Usmani as Chairman in March 1960. Recruitment and training of manpower gained momentum and two laboratories with good experimental facilities was set-up at Lahore and Dacca in 1961 and 1962 respectively. An Agriculture Research Centre at Tandojam and Nuclear Medical Centres at Karachi and Lahore was also set-up in early 1960's. A multi disciplinary, Pakistan Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology was established in 1965 and a research reactor was installed which achieved first criticality in December 1965. In early 1960's studies were undertaken to examine the technical and economic feasibility of establishing a nuclear power plant for the generation of electricity. The construction of Karachi Nuclear Power Plant started in the middle of 1967 and completed in early 1971. The first criticality of the reactor was achieved in August 1971 and the plant was formally commissioned in 1972. In the middle of 1970's, embargo on the supply of materials and nuclear equipment by developed countries affected the programs of PAEC. This difficulty was overcome by developing a certain level of self-reliance and self-sufficiency in certain areas. PAEC, ever since 1960's remained a dynamic organization and continued to make greater progress in the next decades.

Contributions of Professor Abdus Salam as Member of PAEC

RIAZUDDIN

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The contributions of Prof. Abdus Salam in Physics and for development of Science in Pakistan and developing countries are highlighted. In particular those which he made as a member of PAEC are discussed in some detail.

DEVELOPMENT OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES PROGRAM AT PINSTECH

I.H. QURESHI

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

In Pakistan a gradual evolution and development of nuclear safety regime, starting from its very early stage to a full-fledged independent authority has taken place. The evolution process took more than four decades and has been completed in six different stages, i.e. (i) with no legal basis (April 1956 – December 1965), (ii) under Atomic Energy Act of 1965 (December 1965 – January 1984), (iii) under the Nuclear Safety Act of 1984 (January 1984 – September 1990), (iv) with support of 1990 regulations (September 1990 – October 1994), (v) with a quasi independent regulatory board (October 1994 – January 2001) and (vi) with fully independent regulatory authority (January 2001 – Onward). This included the issuance of executive order(s) and Pakistan Nuclear Safety Committee (PNSC) era with Nuclear Safety and Licensed Division (NSLD) as the secretariat to the establishment of formal legal entities i.e. Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DNSRP), Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board (PNRB), and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA). Today, Pakistan can rightly claim to have full-grown independent and viable nuclear safety organization and legal system for enforcing national regulations and standards on nuclear safety.

Evolution and Development of Nuclear Safety Regime in Pakistan. 

M. NASIM and S.D. ORFI

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

In Pakistan a gradual evolution and development of nuclear safety regime, starting from its very early stage to a full-fledged independent authority has taken place. The evolution process took more than four decades and has been completed in six different stages, i.e. (i) with no legal basis (April 1956 – December 1965), (ii) under Atomic Energy Act of 1965 (December 1965 – January 1984), (iii) under the Nuclear Safety Act of 1984 (January 1984 – September 1990), (iv) with support of 1990 regulations (September 1990 – October 1994), (v) with a quasi independent regulatory board (October 1994 – January 2001) and (vi) with fully independent regulatory authority (January 2001 – Onward). This included the issuance of executive order(s) and Pakistan Nuclear Safety Committee (PNSC) era with Nuclear Safety and Licensed Division (NSLD) as the secretariat to the establishment of formal legal entities i.e. Directorate of Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (DNSRP), Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Board (PNRB), and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA). Today, Pakistan can rightly claim to have full-grown independent and viable nuclear safety organization and legal system for enforcing national regulations and standards on nuclear safety.

NUCLEAR KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT AND PRESERVATION: A CASE STUDY OF PAKISTAN - SHAHID RIAZ KHAN

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

The nuclear knowledge management (NKM) has become a major growing issue in the IAEA’s Agenda. The use of nuclear technology in variety of application related to sustainable development, demands the preservation of nuclear knowledge. In developing countries the use of nuclear technology is much smaller compared to developed world. The nuclear knowledge management situation in the developing countries are not understood clearly. In case of Pakistan, the nuclear technology is being used in many areas of human need. These include energy, agricultural, medical and industrial applications. Also by the end of third decade, the authorities have set target to go for generating electricity through nuclear technology near to 800 MW. NKM is also vital for the new generation to understand the technology from elder’s experiences and through proper knowledge preservation. This could only be done by adopting a proper nuclear knowledge management strategy.

NUCLEAR MEDICAL CENTRES OF PAEC – S. J. KHURSHID

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) in the beginning of the 1960’s chalked out plans for the utilization of radiations and radioisotopes for health care of the population and setup two nuclear medical centres at Karachi and Lahore in 1960 and 1963, respectively. Since these centres had only diagnostic facilities, the PAEC later on established eleven more centres in various parts of the country, which have both nuclear medicine and radiotherapy facilities. Initially, the manpower for the medical centres was trained in Europe and America, but later on training facilities were developed within the country at what is now the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) which has been organizing M.Sc. level courses in Nuclear Medicine, Medical Physics, and Health Physics. Many of these centres are equipped with modern equipment, which includes single and double head gamma cameras, linear accelerators, Cobolt-60 sources, computerized tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), brachetherapy, simulators, and treatment planning systems (TPS), mammography, ultrasound and radioimmunoassay (RIA). These tertiary care centres are working in close collaboration with major teaching hospitals and providing diagnostic and treatment facilities to about 350,000 patients annually. PAEC has now also started cancer awareness and screening programme; and has established 13 breast cancer clinics in the medical centres. The public has been informed regarding these facilities through electronic and print media.

DR. I.H. USMANI AND THE EARLY DAYS OF THE PAEC – S.A. HASNAIN

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Combining a scientific background with the power of a senior civil servant, Dr. I.H. Usmani laid a sound foundation of the atomic energy programme in Pakistan. First he developed top quality manpower. He recruited the best graduates of Pakistani universities, arranged their training at world famous universities and nuclear establishments. Next, he established the case for nuclear power. Feasibility studies concluded that electric power needs 40 years hence could not be met by conventional sources. Only nuclear power could fill the gap. International competition led to the Karachi Nuclear Power Project, which began producing electric power in1972. Meanwhile Atomic Energy Centres at Lahore and Dacca and PAEC’s premier research establishment, PINSTECH, conducted manpower development and R&D on radiation applications. An architectural masterpiece, PINSTECH earned a reputation for its high quality research. Dr. Usmani motivated the PAEC officers as well as staff to produce their very best. In return, he rewarded them with generous service conditions. He demonstrated that the gap between science and technology could be bridged by versatile scientists who could quickly acquire new skills with the help of modern information facilities. Successful administrative reforms in PAEC were emulated by universities and science establishments in the country.

HEAVY MANUFACTURING FACILITIES OF PAKISTAN ATOMIC ENERGY COMMISSION M. AMJAD PERWAIZ

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

The Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission started operation of the first nuclear power plant of the country at Karachi in 1971. The Indian nuclear explosion in 1974 forced the PAEC authorities to strengthen its efforts for indigenous manufacture of spare parts, components and equipment. Scientific and Engineering Services Directorate (SES) was established at Islamabad in 1984 with a mandate to establish infrastructure facilities in design and engineering, fabrication and welding, machining, testing, quality assurance and control, and non-destructive testing to gear up the indigenous manufacturing of mechanical equipment and parts. The SES conceived and constructed two major infra-structure projects, namely, Seamless Tube Plant (STP) at Kundian and Nuclear Equipment Workshop (NEW) Project. The NEW Project comprises The Pakistan Welding Institute (PWI), Islamabad; National Centre for Non-Destructive Testing (NCNDT), Islamabad; Design and Development Division, Islamabad; NEW-II, Karachi, and NEW-III Project, Taxila. The NEW-III Project was primarily planned to produce unique heavy equipment, sophisticated components and complex parts for nuclear set-ups of the PAEC. It was named as Heavy Mechanical Complex-3 (HMC-3) after entering into a Joint Venture Agreement with the State Engineering Corporation, Islamabad. HMC-3 is one of the largest projects in the heavy engineering sector of Pakistan. It can produce a single-piece job weighing up to 320 tons with the existing facilities. Only HMC-3 caters to the national requirements for producing most of the precision and hi-tech components, and heavy and large equipment.

HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT AT PIEAS - A BRIEF HISTORICAL ACCOUNT
B.A. HASAN
 

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

In this article the historical-role of the Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) as the key Human Resource Development (HRD) centre of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) is described. This brief account covers a period of about 37 years, from 1967 to 2004 and goes on to describe the several transformations that a small and modest facility ‘Reactor School’ went through by first growing into the famous ‘Centre for Nuclear Studies (CNS)’ and later-on the present day PIEAS - as one of the most respected and prestigious degree awarding institute of the country. PIEAS was established to cater for the HRD needs of PAEC but now its scope has been broadened to a much wider extent to address the national needs. Presently PIEAS is imparting education to the postgraduate level in 7 different areas with a diversity that ranges from Nuclear Engineering to Nuclear Medicine, while several other graduate and postgraduate degrees are in the pipeline. The pioneering role of its founders and the award-winning contributions of PIEAS graduates are also presented.

DEVELOPMENT OF NON –DESTRUCIVE TESTING (NDT) TECHNOLOGY IN PAKISTAN
ASGHAR ALI KHAN

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques are being extensively used to improve and maintain the quality of manufactured goods as well as for proper maintenance of industrial plants and equipment. Typical industries that benefit most include Aerospace, Chemical, Heavy Mechanical Fabrication, Conventional and Nuclear Power Generation, Automobiles, Oil and Gas, Shipbuilding, Foundries, and Armaments, etc. As the name implies, with these techniques an industrial product is inspected mostly for defects in its structure without destroying it. Among the most widely used NDT techniques for the detection of internal defects are Radiographic and Ultrasonic Testing. For surface and just below the surface defects Magnetic Particle Testing, Penetrant Testing and Eddy Current Testing are commonly used. In addition to these, there are some NDT methods which have specific applications. These include Acoustic Emission, Thermal and Infrared Testing, Microwave Testing, Computer Tomography, Strain Gauging, Leak Testing and Holography, etc. This paper describes various phases through which the development of NDT technology passed and its present state of the art. It started with the undertaking of a nuclear technology programme and has matured along with it. As it stands we are fully competent to undertake various essential activities related to this technology, namely, (i) Training and certification of NDT personnel at various levels. (ii) Provision of NDT services to various industrial sectors including nuclear power during manufacture, fabrication, pre-service inspection (PSI) and in-service inspection (ISI).

NUCLEAR POWER IN PAKISTAN
ZIA H. SIDDIQUI and I.H. QURESHI

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Pakistan started its nuclear power program by installing a 137 MWe Canadian Deuterium Reactor (CANDU) at Karachi in 1971 which became operational in 1972. The post-contract technical support for the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant (KANUPP) was withdrawn by Canada in 1976 as a consequence of Indian nuclear device test in 1974. Inspite of various difficulties PAEC resolved to continue to operate KANUPP and started a process for the indigenous fabrication of spare parts and nuclear fuel. The first fuel bundle fabricated in Pakistan was loaded in the core in 1980. Since then KANUPP has been operating on the indigenously fabricated fuel. The plant computer systems and the most critical instrumentation and Control systems were also replaced with up-to date technology. In 2002 KANUPP completed its original design life of 30 year. A program for the life extension of the plant had already been started. The second nuclear power plant of 300 MWe pressurized water reactor purchased from China was installed at Chasma in 1997, which started commercial operations in 2001. Another unit of 300 MWe will be installed at Chashma in near future. These nuclear power plants have been operating under IAEA safeguards agreements. PAEC through the long-term performance of the two power plants has demonstrated its competence to safely and successfully operate and maintain nuclear power plants. Pakistan foresees an increasingly important and significant share of nuclear power in the energy sector. The Government has recently allocated a share of 8000 MW for nuclear energy in the total energy scenario of Pakistan by the year 2025.

NUCLEAR MINERALS IN PAKISTAN
MUHAMMAD MANSOOR

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Strategic importance of Nuclear Minerals was recognized during early formative years of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and prospecting for uranium was started in Dera Ghazi Khan in collaboration with the Geological Survey of Pakistan (GSP) as early as 1961. Later, the responsibility for countrywide surveys and exploration was fully entrusted with PAEC and in this respect a Directorate of Nuclear Minerals(DNM) was established in 1966 at Lahore. Later, DNM was shifted to the Atomic Energy Centre (AEC), Lahore building and renamed as Atomic Energy Minerals Centre. It has state-of-the-art Chemistry, Mineralogy, Remote Sensing and Electronics Laboratories and an Ore Processing Pilot Plant. The Centre has Prospecting, Exploration, Geophysics, Geochemistry, Geo-tectonics, Mining and Drilling Sections. Regional Offices have been established to facilitate work at Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. Siwaliks were recognized as a favourable geological formation of prime importance. Sandstone-shale sequence of Siwaliks Formation is exposed in all provinces of Pakistan and in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), broadly categorized into Rajanpur-Dera Ghazi Khan, Bannu Basin-Kohat Plateau and Potwar-AJK zones. Baghalchur, Nangar Nai and Taunsa uranium deposits have been discovered in the Rajanpur- D.G.Khan Zone. Qabul Khel and Shanawah Uranium deposits have been discovered in the Shanawah- Kohat Plateau Zone. Prospection and exploration is in progress. The first uranium mine was opened at Baghalchur, and uranium mill was established at D.G Khan in 1977-78 all by indigenous effort. The uranium mine was the most advanced and mechanized mine of that time in the country. Later, a second uranium mine was opened at Qabul Khel in 1992, which was based on a new and advanced in situ leach technology, developed to suit local geological and ore zone parameters. Mining of Nanganai and Taunsa Deposits was started respectively in 1996 and 2002, and is also based on in situ leach technology which is low cost and environment friendly

INTERNATIONAL NATHIAGALI SUMMER COLLEGE (INSC) ON PHYSICS AND CONTEMPORARY NEEDS
THIRTY YEARS OF MEANINGFUL DISSEMINATION OF SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE
A. SALAHUDDIN* and M. M. AWAIS

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

International Nathiagali Summer College (INSC) on Physics and Contemporary Needs has been held every year since 1976, without any break, mostly at the scenic hill resorts near Islamabad, Pakistan. The idea of organizing a College at Nathiagali on regular basis came from the distinguished Nobel Laureate, Late Professor Abdus Salam. These colleges are organized regularly by Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, and since 2001, in collaboration with National Centre for Physics, Islamabad. The primary purpose of these Colleges is to break the isolation of the scientists in the developing countries by enabling them to interact with an international faculty and their colleagues from the Third World. The scientific activities of INSC aim at the broad coverage of the topics at the frontiers of knowledge in Physics and allied sciences. During the last thirty years more than 520 eminent scientists including six Nobel Laureates shared their knowledge and experience with nearly 5550 scientists from Pakistan and about 880 scientists from as many as 72 developing countries.

AGRICULTURE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY CENTRES OF THE PAEC: A RESUME
MUJTABA NAQVI

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Pakistan recognized the role of nuclear techniques in agricultural and other biological research and started establishing goal-oriented, multi- disciplinary institutions to help agricultural research in the country. A core manpower was trained and centres established in the cities where most of the agricultural research was located; the objective was to supplement the research activity in areas where nuclear techniques would have a clear advantage. The first centre was established at Tandojam, Sindh and others at Faisalabad, Mymensingh, Peshawar and again at Faisalabad. Apart from agricultural research, these centres utilized their facilities and ventured into other areas such as biotechnology and can now take some pride in contributing in the country's economy and in development of human resource and helping develop a science culture in the country. With better management systems, the inputs seem to have been better utilized. That the end users and the government have recognized the contributions of these centres is evident from the number of farmers visiting these institutions for advice and the number of medals awarded to their scientists by the government. These institutes could, perhaps, have done even better yet it seems their positive contributions outweigh their deficiencies. In this piece of writing a brief history of these institutions is given and some information provided about the raison for their programmes and the environment under which the programmes were executed. A few of their salient achievements have also been mentioned.

AN OVERVIEW OF NUCLEAR POWER ECONOMICS AND SAFETY ISSUES
IN THE WORLD AND IN PAKISTAN
S.A. AHMAD, T. HAYAT and A. MAHMOOD

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

Nuclear Power generation has been and is a serious option in the energy basket for economic competitiveness as well as energy autarky and security. However, two most important factors, i.e. economics and safety, need to be discussed from the developing markets point of view while watching global trends. The type, size and vendor information is presented in a manner that economic and safety paradigm is more clearly visible. Most of the 12,000 reactor-years operation experience in the world is obtained from generation I & II Nuclear Power Plants, and it is considered that they are still relevant in most energy markets. Currently, like countries such as the USA, UK and others, Pakistan has Generation II NPP technology, so both economics and safety conditions may not change in the near future. However, alternative data is presented to provide a better understanding; and its relevance to Pakistan is stressed.

BIRTH OF THE NUCLEUS - 1964
S. A. DURRANI

Abstract                                                                                                    Full text

The article describes how Dr I H Usmani, the-then Chairman of the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) threw down the gauntlet, in mid-1963, to the author of this paper – then a young and recently-recruited Director of the Atomic Energy Centre, Lahore – inviting him to be the Founder-Editor of the quarterly journal of the PAEC. The author took up the challenge – and The Nucleus was born in March 1964. The author presents an overview of the philosophy, the overall structure / coverage of topics, the artistic get-up, as well as the composition of the multidisciplinary first Editorial Board of the journal. Reference is also made to the contents of some of the early issues of The Nucleus, edited by the author. The article ends with a description of the evolution to the present-day – more technical – nature of the journal.