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Indigenous prototype fast breeder reactor
March 7 , 2024
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- The fuel loading was started at the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu.
- Fast breeder reactors form the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear programme.
- The PFBR is a machine that produces more nuclear fuel than it consumes.
- The operationalisation of the PFBR will mark the start of stage II of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme.
- In the first, India used pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) and natural uranium-238 (U-238).
- It contains minuscule amounts of U-235, as the fissile material.
- The reactions produce plutonium-239 (Pu-239) and energy.
- In stage II, India will use Pu-239 together with U-238 in the PFBR to produce energy, U-233, and more Pu-239.
- In stage III, Pu-239 will be combined with thorium-232 (Th-232) in reactors to produce energy and U-233.
- Homi J. Bhabha had designed the three-stage programme because India hosts roughly a quarter of the world’s thorium.
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