After Russia, India To Have Commercially Operating Fast Breeder Reactor

CHENNAI, (IANS) – On March 4 India stepped into a milestone second stage of its three-stage nuclear power program with the commencement of “core loading” at the first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam near here.

Upon completion of the core loading phase – which includes loading of the fuel, the first approach to criticality will be achieved, leading to the generation of power subsequently.

Once commissioned, India will only be the second country after Russia to have a commercially operating fast breeder reactor.

The uranium-238 “blanket” surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, thus earning the name ‘Breeder’.

The use of thorium-232, which is not a fissile material, as a blanket, is also envisaged in this stage. By transmutation, the thorium will create fissile uranium-233 which will be used as fuel in the third stage. FBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the program, paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India’s abundant thorium reserves.

In terms of safety, the PFBR is an advanced third-generation reactor with inherent passive safety features ensuring a prompt and safe shutdown of the plant in the event of an emergency. Since it uses the spent fuel from the first stage, FBR also offers a great advantage in terms of a significant reduction in nuclear waste generated, thereby avoiding the need for large geological disposal facilities, the government said.