• Source:JND
Add as a preferred

Kalpakkam PFBR:  In a major achievement for the Indian atomic energy program, the country's most advanced Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), located at Tamil Nadu's Kalpakkam, received the atomic energy regulator's permission for loading the nuclear fuel and starting a controlled chain reaction in the days to come. This development is further notable for two reasons - the use of Plutonium as a nuclear fuel and the first step towards using thorium as an alternate atomic energy source.

Calling the nod to Kalpakkam PFBR a 'huge milestone' for India's self-reliant atomic energy program, Chairman of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) Dinesh Kumar Shukla highlighted that it is an 'inherently' safe reactor.

Why PFBR Is Crucial For India's Self-Reliance On Nuclear Energy

Normally, ordinary nuclear reactors run on the uranium as primary nuclear fuel. Plutonium, another key fuel is generated in the nuclear reactors itself using uranium-238 as the primary fuel and it does not exist naturally. India has limited reserves of uranium, making the country more import-dependent for its atomic fuel needs.

However, with PFBR opening the gates of using thorium as nuclear fuel, which is abundantly present in the country, India can easily achieve self-reliance in clean nuclear energy. According to the NDTV report, India has enough thorium to last for the next 3 centuries. Experts suggest that if India could find a way to tap thorium as a nuclear fuel, it would work as an unending 'Akshay Patra' of energy.

What Is A PFBR

A breeder reactor is named so as it produces more fuel than it consumes, making it an unending source of energy. The 'fast' in Fast Breeder Reactors is used to denote the use of high-velocity neutrons in the nuclear reactions at these reactors. India's functional Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam has been functioning for the last 39 years.

"This permission marks a significant step towards operationalization of PFBR. The 500MWe sodium-cooled Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) being commissioned by BHAVINI at Kalpakkam is a significant milestone in the country's nuclear power programme," Atomic Energy Regulatory Board or AERB said as quoted by NDTV.

"The AERB had been carrying out extensive safety review and assessment through multi-tier safety review mechanism. The safety reviews are complemented with periodic inspections and observation by resident site observer team," it added.

PFBR To Be Operational In Months

The PFBR is expected to start working in a few months if all goes as per the plan, the report stated.

India has developed comprehensive capabilities spanning the entire spectrum of the nuclear fuel cycle. Government had approved in 2003, the creation of Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI) to construct and operate India’s most advanced nuclear reactor-Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR).