“Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR)” will be commissioned by India in 2022

PFBR will add 500 MW of electrical power to the national grid

• The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is expected to be commissioned by
  India in October 2022
• PFBR is being constructed by the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited
  and ICGAR
• The Reactor will add 500 MW of power to the national grid once commissioned

Reason behind the commissioning in October – 2022

• In the last three years, while commissioning activities of the various systems,
  structures and equipment of PFBR are progressing, a large number of technical
  challenges as well as design inadequacies (owing to the first-of-a-kind status of
  the PFBR) are being encountered at each stage, thereby resulting in delay in
  commissioning
• These issues are being attended in close coordination with designers and
  experts within the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE)
• On completion of commissioning, PFBR will add 500 MW of electrical power to
  the national grid

The Features of the reactor

• The reactor is a pool-type reactor whose core are immersed in liquid (water)
• The reactor has negative void coefficient so it provides a high level of nuclear
  safety
• The speed of the fission chain reaction decreases automatically when the
  reactor overheats. This lowers the temperature and power level
• Liquid Sodium is the coolant in the reactor
• Reactor will add 500 MW of power to the national grid once commissioned

Envisioned a three-stage nuclear plan

• This was initiated by Homi Bhabha by using the thorium and uranium reserves
  found in Monazite sands of coastal regions of India
• The program runs with an objective to use Thorium reserves in India to meet
  the energy requirements
• The programmer is running successfully by Indo-US Nuclear deal. The three
  stages in the program include
   Stage 1- Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor
   Stage 2- Fast Breeder Reactor
   Stage 3- Thorium based reactor
• The first stage was the Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) which Indian
  nuclear scientists and engineers have mastered. The second stage is the PFBR
  technology

What is “Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI)”?

• It is a wholly owned Enterprise of Government of India under the administrative
  control of the Department of Atomic Energy incorporated on 22 October 2003
• A Public Limited Company under the companies act, 1956 with the objective of
  constructing and commissioning the first 500 MWe Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR)
  at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu
• It pursues construction, commissioning, operation and maintenance of
  subsequent Fast Breeder Reactors for generation of electricity in pursuance of
  the schemes and programmes of Government of India
• It works under the provisions of the Atomic Energy Act, 1962
• BHAVINI is currently constructing a 500MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at
  Kalpakkam, 70 km from Chennai

What is “Indira Gandhi centre for Atomic Research (ICGAR)”?

• It is one of India’s premier nuclear research centers. It is the second largest
  establishment of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), next to Bhabha
  Atomic Research Centre (BARC), located at Kalpakkam, 80 km south of
  Chennai, India
• It was established in 1971 as an exclusive centre dedicated to the pursuit of
  fast reactor science and technology, due to the vision of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
• Originally, it was called as Reactor Research Centre (RRC). It was renamed as
  Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) by the then Prime Minister
  of India, Rajiv Gandhi in December 1985
• The centre is engaged in broad-based multidisciplinary program of scientific
  research and advanced engineering directed towards the development of Fast
  Breeder Reactor technology in India

Pic courtesy : ibgnews.com