All those writing here are not aware that uranium is needed for making thorium a fissile material in the Fast breeder route. India%u2019s first 40 MWt Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) attained criticality on 18th October 1985. India has developed the technology to produce the plutonium rich U-Pu mixed carbide fuel. Here Uranium is used to produce plutonium and this is mixed with more uranium in a carbide matrix. Nuclear reaction in this fuel leads to production of neutrons.
In the thorium fuel cycle thorium-232 absorbs a neutron in either a fast breeder or thermal reactor. The thorium-233 beta decays to protactinium-233 and then to uranium-233, which in turn is used as fuel. Hence, like uranium-238, thorium-232 is a fertile material. After starting the reactor with existing U-233 or some other fissile material such as U-235 or Pu-239, a breeding cycle similar to but more efficient than that with U-238 and plutonium can be created. Thus from an initial stockpile of uranium and plutonium is needed. This is what we lack. If we use our reserves now we will not have anything left for our nuke bomb programme. Already our reactors have to work under less power because, our reserves are going to last only till next year. Another problem is that the expensive nature of the construction of Fast Breeder Reactor in comparison with the Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) in use. This is one of the main reasons why India is looking at the cheaper option - Uranium fuel.
RE:Fast Breeder Technology
by sujeet kulkarni on Oct 24, 2007 11:31 AM Permalink
First time, in recent history our country is praising a Scientist than a funny Bollywood star or Cricket champ. I fill that's big achievement.
