C Shivakumar
Chennai:
The 500 Mega Watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam,
which is an important milestone for India's three-stage nuclear power
programme, is getting delayed due to tough safety regulations and
technology issues, according to Atomic Energy Commission Chairman
Shekar Basu.
Basu told Express that the project is first of its kind and Indian
scientists have been working on the project for the last 30 years. “We
are facing technology issues as well as tough safety regulations. For
PFBR, the safety evaluation is different as it is totally different
technology,” said the renowned scientist, who vowed that the reactor
would attain criticality before middle of next year.
The fast breeder reactor, which breeds more material for a nuclear
fission reaction than it consumes, is one of the key projects of
India’s three-stage nuclear power programme. India became the sixth
country to have such a technology, way back in 1985.
“We had the technology in 1985 but the reactor which we are building
is a much bigger one and it requires new component which has to be
vaildated,” said Basu.
“We can make it faster but then we ought to have safeguards. The
scientists want to ensure that all safety regulations are in place,”
the AEC chairman said.
PFBR is quite different from the conventional reactor, which are
cooled by light or heavy water. Fast breeder reactors are cooled by
liquid sodium which critics feel is dangerous as it reacts explosively
with both air and water.
But Basu says liquid sodium has advantages. “When water is heated with
high temperature there is chance of corrosion but if liquid sodium is
used there won’t be any corossion. “As for the fear of sodium catching
fire, we have double containment and the piping is deep. We had the
sodium test reactor for the last 30 years and never had any problem,” he
added
On Friday, sodium circulation in the reactor has started and the next
stage is 'criticality'. But to attain it, it has to undergo evaluation
by the safety committee. “There are 10 to 12 stages and each stage has
to get the clearance of safety committee like in the case of
Koodankulam reactor,” said Basu
“I am confident that the reactor will attain criticality by middle of
next year but there will be problems which we will sort it out,” he
added.
Chennai:
The 500 Mega Watt Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) in Kalpakkam,
which is an important milestone for India's three-stage nuclear power
programme, is getting delayed due to tough safety regulations and
technology issues, according to Atomic Energy Commission Chairman
Shekar Basu.
Basu told Express that the project is first of its kind and Indian
scientists have been working on the project for the last 30 years. “We
are facing technology issues as well as tough safety regulations. For
PFBR, the safety evaluation is different as it is totally different
technology,” said the renowned scientist, who vowed that the reactor
would attain criticality before middle of next year.
The fast breeder reactor, which breeds more material for a nuclear
fission reaction than it consumes, is one of the key projects of
India’s three-stage nuclear power programme. India became the sixth
country to have such a technology, way back in 1985.
“We had the technology in 1985 but the reactor which we are building
is a much bigger one and it requires new component which has to be
vaildated,” said Basu.
“We can make it faster but then we ought to have safeguards. The
scientists want to ensure that all safety regulations are in place,”
the AEC chairman said.
PFBR is quite different from the conventional reactor, which are
cooled by light or heavy water. Fast breeder reactors are cooled by
liquid sodium which critics feel is dangerous as it reacts explosively
with both air and water.
But Basu says liquid sodium has advantages. “When water is heated with
high temperature there is chance of corrosion but if liquid sodium is
used there won’t be any corossion. “As for the fear of sodium catching
fire, we have double containment and the piping is deep. We had the
sodium test reactor for the last 30 years and never had any problem,” he
added
On Friday, sodium circulation in the reactor has started and the next
stage is 'criticality'. But to attain it, it has to undergo evaluation
by the safety committee. “There are 10 to 12 stages and each stage has
to get the clearance of safety committee like in the case of
Koodankulam reactor,” said Basu
“I am confident that the reactor will attain criticality by middle of
next year but there will be problems which we will sort it out,” he
added.
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