Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

PFBR
GenerationPrototype
Reactor conceptSodium-cooled fast reactor
Reactor lineIFBR (Indian fast-breeder Reactor)
Designed byIGCAR
Manufactured byBHAVINI
StatusCompleted[1]
Main parameters of the reactor core
Fuel (fissile material)Plutonium/235U[2]
Fuel stateSolid
Neutron energy spectrumFast
Primary control methodControl rods
Primary coolantLiquid sodium
Reactor usage
Primary useBreeding of 233U for AHWR-300 and generation of electricity
Power (thermal)1253
Power (electric)500
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor
Map
CountryIndia
LocationMadras
Coordinates12°33′11″N 80°10′24″E / 12.55306°N 80.17333°E / 12.55306; 80.17333
StatusUnder construction
Construction began2004
Commission dateOctober 2022 (planned)[3]
Construction cost₹5,850 crore (equivalent to ₹220 billion or US$2.58 billion in 2023)[3]
OwnerBHAVINI
OperatorBHAVINI
Nuclear power station
Reactor typeFast breeder
Cooling source
Power generation
Nameplate capacity500 MW
[edit on Wikidata]

The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is a 500 MWe sodium-cooled, fast breeder reactor that is being constructed at Kokkilamedu, near Kalpakkam, in Tamil Nadu state, India.[4] The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is responsible for the design of this reactor, the Advanced Fuel Fabrication Facility at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in Tarapur is responsible for MOX fuel fabrication and BHEL is providing technology and equipment for construction of the reactor.[5] [6] The facility builds on the decades of experience gained from operating the lower power Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). At first, the reactor's construction was supposed to be completed in September 2010, but there were several delays. The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor is scheduled to be put into service in December 2024, which is more than 20 years after construction began and 14 years after the original commissioning date, as of December 2023. The project's cost has doubled from ₹3,500 crore to ₹7,700 crore due to the multiple delays. The construction was completed on 4th March 2024 with commencement of core loading of the reactor hence paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India’s abundant thorium reserves.[7][8]

  1. ^ "Why is India's first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor significant?". 5 March 2024.
  2. ^ "India's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor Approaches Finish Line".
  3. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference ls2021 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Baldev Raj, S.C. Chetal and P. Chellapandi (8 January 2010). "Great expectations". Nuclear Engineering International.
  5. ^ "BHEL achieves breakthrough in the Nuclear Power segment; Wins order for new rating, indigenously-developed 700 MWe Nuclear Sets based on Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors | Official Website of Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited, New Delhi, India". www.bhel.com. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  6. ^ https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/45/089/45089591.pdf
  7. ^ "PM witnesses the historic "Commencement of Core Loading" at India's first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  8. ^ "How India's beaches can unlock a nuclear-powered future". www.downtoearth.org.in. 16 April 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.