FAST BREEDER REACTOR

Why in the news?

Recently, core-loading process in the indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) was initiated at Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.

More on news

• PFBR has been designed and constructed indigenously by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd or BHAVINI with significant contribution from more than 200 Indian industries.
• Core loading is the process of placing nuclear fuel assemblies inside the core of a nuclear reactor. 
• The completion of core loading will effectively mark the first approach to ‘criticality’.
  • Criticality means the initiation of a self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction that will eventually lead to the generation of power by the 500-megawatt electric (MWe) FBR.

What is Fast Breeder Reactor?

• Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) is a nuclear reactor that uses fast neutron to generate more nuclear fuel than they consume while generating power.
• FBR will use Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. 
• The Uranium-238 “blanket” surrounding the fuel core will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, which is why they are termed "breeders." 

Significance of FBR

• Beginning of Stage 2 of nuclear programme: The operationalisation of PFBR will mark the start of stage II of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme.
• Paves way for third stage: In FBR, Thorium-232(Th-232) will also be used as blanket. 
  • By transmutation (conversion of one element to another), Thorium will create fissile U-233 which will be used as fuel in the third stage. 

• FBR is thus a steppingstone for third stage of nuclear power program paving the way for the eventual full utilisation of the country’s thorium reserves.

• Technological advancement: Once commissioned, India will be second country after Russia to have a commercial operating FBR. 
  • China has a small programme on fast breeders; programmes in countries such as Japan, France, and the United States were shut down amid safety concerns.
• Reduced waste: As FBR uses the spent fuel from the first stage, it will also lead to significant reduction in nuclear waste, thereby avoiding the need for large geological disposal facilities.

India’s 3 stage Nuclear Power Programme

• India holds only about 2-3% of the world's uranium reserves, but it possesses one of the largest shares of global thorium reserves.
• Dr Homi J Bhabha, father of India’s nuclear programme, therefore, devised a three-stage nuclear power programme in 1950s to make the most of India's limited uranium reserves and abundant thorium reserves.

Nuclear Power generation in India Presently, installed nuclear power capacity in the country is 7.5 GW comprising of 23 nuclear power reactors. (19 PHWR, 2 Boiling Water Reactors (BWR) and 2 Pressurised Water Reactors (PWRs)).  Two indigenously designed 700 MW PHWR have been recently added at the Kakrapar Atomic Power Plant. Share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 2.8% in 2022-23. Target: India aims to achieve tripling nuclear power generation capacity by 2030. Other Key developments: India is taking steps for development of Small Modular Reactors (SMR) SMRs are advanced nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit. SMRs offers significant savings in cost, construction time and simpler and safer as compared to large nuclear plants. India has adopted closed fuel cycle which aims at reprocessing of spent fuel for recovery of Uranium and Plutonium and recycling them back to reactor as fuel, thereby reducing Nuclear Wastes.