16. Give an account of the growth and development of nuclear science and technology in India. What is the advantage of fast breeder reactor programme in India? (250 words) 15M
Ans. India's nuclear programme was formulated in 1950s by Dr Homi Bhabha to secure the country's long term energy independence, via use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the monazite sands of coastal regions of South India.
The ultimate focus is on Thorium Fuel Cycle. For this purpose the three stage nuclear programme was envisaged.
These stages consist of
• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR )
• Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)
• Advanced Heavy Water Reactor(AHWR) The first stage involved using natural uranium to fuel PHWR to produce electricity and producing Plutonium -239 as a byproduct. We note here that the PHWRs were chosen for the first stage because in 1960s, India had the efficient reactor design in terms of uranium utilisation. It was calculated that rather than going for creation to Uranium Enrichment Facilities, it would be wiser to create heavy water production facilities. Furthermore the byproduct plutonium-293 would be used in the second stage.
Use of Nuclear Power in India Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity. As of 2016, India has 22 nuclear reactors in operation in 8 nuclear power plants, having a total installed capacity of 6,780 MW Nuclear power produced a total of 35,000 GWh of electricity in 2016. 6 more reactors are under construction with a combined generation capacity of 4,300 MW.
Other than these nuclear power is also used in the fields of medicine and food technology as well. In the recent times India has also envisaged to work in the field of neutrino research by building Indian Neutrino Observatory in Tamil Nadu .
Advantage of Fast Breeder Reactor(FBR) for India
Ans. India's nuclear programme was formulated in 1950s by Dr Homi Bhabha to secure the country's long term energy independence, via use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the monazite sands of coastal regions of South India.
The ultimate focus is on Thorium Fuel Cycle. For this purpose the three stage nuclear programme was envisaged.
These stages consist of
• Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR )
• Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)
• Advanced Heavy Water Reactor(AHWR) The first stage involved using natural uranium to fuel PHWR to produce electricity and producing Plutonium -239 as a byproduct. We note here that the PHWRs were chosen for the first stage because in 1960s, India had the efficient reactor design in terms of uranium utilisation. It was calculated that rather than going for creation to Uranium Enrichment Facilities, it would be wiser to create heavy water production facilities. Furthermore the byproduct plutonium-293 would be used in the second stage.
Use of Nuclear Power in India Nuclear power is the fourth-largest source of electricity in India after thermal, hydroelectric and renewable sources of electricity. As of 2016, India has 22 nuclear reactors in operation in 8 nuclear power plants, having a total installed capacity of 6,780 MW Nuclear power produced a total of 35,000 GWh of electricity in 2016. 6 more reactors are under construction with a combined generation capacity of 4,300 MW.
Other than these nuclear power is also used in the fields of medicine and food technology as well. In the recent times India has also envisaged to work in the field of neutrino research by building Indian Neutrino Observatory in Tamil Nadu .
Advantage of Fast Breeder Reactor(FBR) for India
- The second stage involves using plutonium -239 to produce mixed -oxide fuel ,which would be used in Fast Breeder Reactors. Plutonium 239 undergoes fission to produce energy , and metal oxide reacted with enriched uranium reacts with mixed-oxide fuel to produce more plutonium-239.
- Furthermore once sufficient amount of plutonium- 239 is built up , thorium will be used in the reactor, to produce uranium-233. This uranium is crucial for the third stage.
- This stage is very important for India's nu iclenar programme as thorium in itself is not fissile nature so we need plutonium to convert thorium to U-233. This plutonium is being built by the FBRs.