Fast Reactors and Accelerator Driven Systems Knowledge Base

Conference Article: Status of fast reactor development in India

Abstract

17te economic liberalisation process has accelerated the industriaI growth and this requires considerable enerqy input. Nuclear energy has to play an important role in supporting the increasing demand of energy. In this year FBTR was operated at IO.2 MWt power in a sustained manner. Several physics and engineering experiments were carried out. The mixed carbide fuel has achieved a peak burnup of 16,000 Mwd/t without failure. First batch of irradiation experiments was completed and pins were delivered to RML for PIE. For PFBR, a thorough review of the conceptual design was carried out towards reducing the capital cost, construction time and for improving plant reliabiIity. A’ 2 loop concept with 2 PSPs, 4 IHXs and 2 secondary loops having 4 integrated SG modules has been finally chosen with a expected savings of 15% in NSSS capital cost, 2-3 years in construction time and IO-12% in capacity factor. Number of materials to be used for major components was reduced to three to facilitate speedy development. Operating temperatures were finalised after optimisation studies. Discussion is in progress to finalise fuel handing system. Research and development activities are continuing at KCAR in the areas of reactor physics, engineering development, core engineering, thermal hydraulics, structural mechanics, metallurgy, post irradiation examination, instrumentation and electronics, chemistry, fuel reprocessing, safety research and health physics etc.

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Reference:

28. meeting of the International Working Group on Fast Reactors. Vienna (Austria). 9-11 May 1995

International Atomic Energy Agency, Vienna (Austria)

IAEA-TECDOC--876, pp:107-132