Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) – The status of India’s nuclear program

Source: The post The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) has been created, based on the article “The status of India’s nuclear programme” published in “The Hindu” on 5th March 2024.

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 3- Science and Technology – indigenisation of technology and developing new technology.

News: On March 4, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the commencement of the core-loading process of the indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. This event signifies the beginning of stage II in India’s three-stage nuclear power strategy.

What is India’s three-stage nuclear program?

Stage I: Uses Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) with natural uranium-238 (U-238), which also contains U-235. This stage generates plutonium-239 (Pu-239) and energy.

Stage II: Implements the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), which utilizes Pu-239 along with U-238 to produce energy, U-233, and more Pu-239. The PFBR, with a capacity of 500 MWe, represents a significant progression towards thorium utilization. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) set up a special-purpose vehicle in 2003 called Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam, Ltd. (BHAVINI) to implement stage II.

Stage III: Focuses on combining Pu-239 with thorium-232 (Th-232) in reactors to produce energy and U-233.

For more information read here

What is PFBR?

About PFBR:

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is a nuclear reactor in India that produces more nuclear fuel than it consumes. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, designed the PFBR.
It’s a key component of India’s three-stage nuclear power program, aiming for energy self-sufficiency.

What is the importance of Stage II of India’s nuclear program?

Transition to Thorium Use: Stage II, featuring the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), is crucial for transitioning towards using thorium, leveraging India’s large thorium reserves.

Foundation for Future Expansion: This stage lays the groundwork for building additional fast breeder reactors (FBRs). The Department of Atomic Energy proposed constructing four more FBRs, each with a 600 MWe capacity.

Self-Sufficiency in Nuclear Energy: Stage II is a strategic step towards making India completely self-sufficient in nuclear energy, a major goal of the country’s nuclear program.

What are the challenges of Stage II?

Technical Complexity: FBRs like the PFBR are more complex to operate compared to other reactor designs.

Safety Concerns: Fukushima Daiichi disaster has intensified the concerns around.

Regulatory Hurdles: The AERB, India’s nuclear regulatory body, faces criticism for not being independent, as it ultimately reports to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Handling of Radioactive By-products: The thorium fuel cycle produces radioactive isotopes like caesium-137 and radium-224. These are difficult to handle and store.

Can Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) be an alternative to present nuclear plants?

To read all the details about SMRs – click here

Question for practice:

Evaluate the significance and challenges of Stage II in India’s nuclear program, particularly focusing on the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) and its role in transitioning towards thorium utilization.

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