Indian nuclear wonder in Kalpakkam: Fast breeder nuclear reactor attains criticality

NEW DELHI: In a milestone for India's nuclear power program, the 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu attained criticality. The special feature is that it can use thorium available in India as fuel along with imported uranium. This will ensure low-cost electricity in the future. Only Russia has fast breeder reactors in the world.

The reactor became operational after the first criticality (controlled fission chain reaction) took place at around 8.25 pm on April 6. Fast breeder reactors are capable of generating more electricity than conventional reactors. The reactor uses technology developed by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research and Bharatiya Nabiya Vidyut Ngam under the Department of Atomic Energy. This is the second phase of India's nuclear program. These will help achieve the target of 100 gigawatts of nuclear power by 2047.

Unlike thermal reactors, fast breeder reactors can generate more electricity because they use uranium-plutonium mixed oxide fuel. This is because the uranium-238 in the reactor is converted into another fuel, plutonium-238. The design is such that in the next phase of the project, Thorium-232 can be used as fuel. Thorium will be converted into uranium-233, a better nuclear fuel, through a nuclear process called transmutation. Therefore, abundant thorium is available in Kerala. Fast breeder technology serves as a bridge between existing pressurised heavy-water reactors and future thorium-based reactors.

"The advanced reactor, capable of producing more fuel, reflects the depth of our scientific capabilities and the strength of our engineering enterprise. It is a crucial step towards harnessing our vast Thorium reserves in Phase III." -Prime Minister Narendra Modi.