Context:
Recently, commenced the core loading at India’s 1st indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam
Core loading:
- 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.
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR):
- 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 –
| Fissionable | Fissile |
| A nuclide capable of undergoing fission (even with a low probability) after capturing a neutron of high or low energy | A 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 fissile | E.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
Previous Year Question
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)
