Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

Recently, commenced the core loading at India’s 1st indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam

  • 1st approach to achieve criticality, leading to power generation from the reactor
  • Consists of – Loading of reactor control sub-assemblies, blanket sub-assemblies and fuel sub-assemblies
  • Criticality refers to creation of enough neutrons by fission to make up for those lost by leakage or absorption so that fission remains constant.
  • Advanced 3rd generation nuclear reactor
  • Breeder reactor
    • A nuclear reactor that generates more fissile material than it consumes
    • It can be fueled with more-commonly available isotopes of uranium and thorium, such as uranium-238 and thorium-232, as opposed to the rare uranium-235 which is used in conventional reactors
  • Fissionable vs. Fissile
FissionableFissile
A nuclide capable of undergoing fission (even with a low probability) after capturing a neutron of high or low energyA fissionable nuclide that can be induced to fission with low-energy thermal neutrons with a high probability
E.g. – Uranium-238 is fissionable but not fissileE.g. – Uranium-235
  • Operationalization will mark the start of stage II of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme
  • Constructed by – Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI)
    • With significant contribution from more than 200 Indian industries including MSMEs
  • Once commissioned, India will only be the 2nd country after Russia to have commercial operating FBR
  • Working – Initially uses the Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel and then Uranium-238 “blanket” surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, earning the name ‘Breeder’
    • Transmutation – Conversion of one chemical element into another
    • Thorium can be used, as it transmutes into Uranium-233
  • Coolant – Liquid sodium
  • Key Benefit – Built-in passive safety features guarantee a swift and secure shutdown of the plant during emergencies

Read more about: India’s Nuclear Programme

Source: PIB


India is an important member of the ‘International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor’. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage of India?

[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2016 Prelims]


(a) It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
(b) It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
(c) It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
(d) It can build fusion reactors for power generation

Answer: (d)


Practice Question

Consider the following statements:

  1. Criticality refers to creation of enough neutrons by fusion to make up for those lost by leakage or absorption.
  2. India will only be the 2nd country after Russia to have commercial operating FBR after the commission.
  3. Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) utilizes solid sodium as a coolant

How many of the above statements are not correct?

 
 
 
 

Question 1 of 1

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