TAG: GS 3: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
THE CONTEXT: The initiation of ‘core loading’ at India’s first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, represents a significant milestone in the country’s ambitious three-stage nuclear power program.
EXPLANATION:
- This achievement underscores India’s commitment to developing comprehensive nuclear capabilities and securing its energy future.
- Core loading involves the placement of nuclear fuel assemblies inside the reactor core, marking the initial step towards achieving ‘criticality’ — the self-sustaining nuclear fission reaction necessary for power generation.
- Prime Minister’s presence at the commencement of this process highlights the government’s support for nuclear energy development.
Evolution of India’s FBR Program:
- India’s FBR program dates back two decades, with the establishment of the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) under the leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
- The program aims to complement the existing nuclear power infrastructure and pave the way for utilizing thorium reserves in subsequent stages.
Three-Stage Nuclear Power Program:
- India’s nuclear power strategy consists of three stages:
- PHWR Development: Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) utilizing natural uranium as fuel are the cornerstone of the first stage, with 22 commercial reactors operated by NPCIL.
- FBR Implementation: The second stage focuses on deploying Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) to multiply fissile material inventory, crucial for advancing to the third stage.
- Thorium Utilization: The third stage involves harnessing thorium reserves to produce U233 through Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs), ensuring long-term energy security.
Conversion of Fertile to Fissile Material:
- FBRs play a pivotal role in converting ‘fertile material’ (e.g., U238 and Th232) into fissile material (e.g., Pu239 and U233).
- This conversion process is essential for sustaining nuclear fission reactions and generating power efficiently.
Transmutation and Fuel Cycle:
- The use of Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel in FBRs facilitates nuclear transmutation, wherein U238 in the ‘blanket’ surrounding the fuel core undergoes conversion to Pu239.
- Additionally, thorium blankets are envisaged to produce U233 through transmutation, enabling its utilization in the third stage.
Technological Advancements and Cost Considerations:
- Despite the advanced technology involved, the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) asserts that the capital and operational costs of FBRs are comparable to other nuclear and conventional power plants.
- This cost-effectiveness is crucial for ensuring the viability of nuclear energy as a sustainable energy source.
Future Prospects and Energy Security:
- India’s nuclear program aims to increase nuclear power’s share in the energy mix, with plans to generate 22,400 MWe by 2032.
- The construction of new PHWRs in ‘fleet mode’ and collaborations such as the India-US civil nuclear deal further bolster India’s nuclear ambitions and energy security.