ANUSHAKTI : Atomic Energy In India : Fast Breeder Reactors

ANUSHAKTI : Atomic Energy In India Fast Breeder Reactors India’s first 40 MWt Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) attained criticality on 18th October 1985. India becomes the sixth nation having the technology to built and operate a FBTR besides USA, UK, France, Japan and the then USSR. The unique features of Indian FBTR are Indigenously developed U-Pu carbide fuel rich in Pu Design, development and fabrication of all machineries, peripheral units and materials are by the Indian Scientists in close co ordination with industry. Status Initial operational problems sorted out and the reactor operates smoothly at a steady power level of 10.5 Mwt- maximum possible power output owing to its small core. Future plans based on the Design, setting up and operation of FBTR has provided rich experience and immense information with liquid metal cooled Fast Breeder Reactor Technology and also confidence to embark upon the design of a 500 MWe prototype fast breeder reactor [PFBR], planned to be constructed at Kalpakkam.	ATOMIC ENERGY IN INDIA
	A Preface to its Future Perspectives
	Strategy for Nuclear Energy
	Evolution of PHWR Design
	Fast Breeder Reactors
	Heavy Water
	Nuclear Fuels and structural Components
	Back End of Nuclear Fuel Cycle
	Research & Development
	Conclusion

PFBR design requires

A detailed and complete understanding of thermal- hydraulics phenomena
Creep, creep-fatigue interaction, and buckling and fluid- structure interaction for the design optimization and also for an assessment of structural integrity.
A large number of codes, in the disciplines of thermal- hydraulics and structural mechanics have been developed.
The codes have been validated either through experimental data or through international benchmark tests.

Engineering R&D

For fast breeder reactor programme through simulated experiments and component development.
Experimental data for validating the analytical codes and performance evaluation codes.
Facilities to carryout these experiments in air, water and sodium environment.
Expertise for modeling phenomena, special instrumentation for measuring flow patterns, vibration etc. and interpretation of data.
Capability to set up high temperature sodium facilities and their safe operation.
Large component testing rig facility for testing reactor components in sodium at temperatures up to 833^o K.