{{short description|Indian fast breeder nuclear reactor design}} {{Use Indian English|date=March 2021}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}} {{Infobox nuclear reactor | name = Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor | image = | image_size = 300px | caption = | concept = Sodium-cooled fast reactor | generation = Prototype | reactor_line= IFBR | type_label = | type = | design = IGCAR | maker = BHAVINI | status = Critical<ref> "First criticality for Indian fast breeder reactor - World Nuclear News" https://world-nuclear-news.org/articles/first-criticality-for-indian-fast-breeder-reactor</ref> | fuel = Plutonium/<sup>235</sup>U<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ndtv.com/science/prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-indias-most-advanced-nuclear-reactor-approaches-finish-line-6223347 | title=India's Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor Approaches Finish Line }}</ref> | fuel_type = MOX | fuel_state = Solid | spectrum = FAST | control = Control rods | coolant = Liquid sodium | moderator =
| electric = 500 | thermal = 1253
| use = Breeding of <sup>233</sup>U for AHWR-300 and generation of electricity }}{{Infobox power station | name = Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor | name_official = आदिप्ररूप द्रुत प्रजनक रिएक्टर | image = | image_caption = | image_alt = | coordinates = {{coord|12|33|11|N|80|10|24|E|type:landmark|display=inline,title}} | coordinates_ref = | country = India | location = Kokkilamedu, near Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India | status = Critical | construction_began = 2004 | commissioned = 2026 (planned) | decommissioned = | cost = {{INRConvert|5850|c|2|year=2003}}<ref name="ls2021">{{cite news |title=Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 330, Budget Session 2021 |url=https://dae.gov.in/writereaddata/lsusq%20330.pdf |access-date=18 April 2021 |work=Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India |date=3 February 2021}}</ref> | owner = BHAVINI | operator = BHAVINI | ps_units_uc = | ps_units_planned = | ps_units_decommissioned = | np_reactor_type = Fast breeder | np_reactor_supplier = | ps_units_manu_model = | ps_electrical_capacity = 500 MW | ps_electrical_cap_fac = | website = | extra = | successor = FBR-600 }}
The '''Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor''' ('''PFBR''') is a 500 MWe pool type sodium-cooled, fast breeder reactor commissioned at the same site as the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kokkilamedu, near Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, India.<ref>{{cite news |author=Baldev Raj, S.C. Chetal and P. Chellapandi |title=Great expectations |newspaper=Nuclear Engineering International |date=8 January 2010 |url=http://www.neimagazine.com/story.asp?storyCode=2055120 }}</ref>
The indigenously developed reactor achieves a crucial second stage outlined in India's three stage nuclear power program building on the decades of experience gained from operating the lower power Kalpakkam Mini reactor (KAMINI)<ref name=":1">{{Cite web| title=Fifteen Years of Operating Experience of KAMINI Reactor | url=https://www-pub.iaea.org/mtcd/publications/pdf/p1575_cd_web/datasets/presentations/session%20b/b12%20manoharan%20india.pdf | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309185253/http://www-pub.iaea.org/MTCD/Publications/PDF/P1575_CD_web/datasets/presentations/Session%20B/B12%20Manoharan%20India.pdf | archive-date=2017-03-09}}</ref> and Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=India's PFBR attains criticality at last |url=https://www.ans.org/news/2026-04-14/article-7936/indias-pfbr-attains-criticality-at-last/ |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=www.ans.org |language=en}}</ref> Since the PFBR, with closed fuel cycle as the energy resource, is capable of generating a large amount of uranium-233, a fissile isotope from thorium-232,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explained {{!}} Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) |url=https://www.onmanorama.com/news/india/2024/03/07/prototype-fast-breeder-reactor.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=Onmanorama}}</ref> it is instrumental in paving the way for utilization of India's abundant thorium reserves and reducing dependence on uranium import for its nuclear energy program, which has been a historical constraint in India's nuclear energy ambitions.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M M |first=Curtis |date=January 2007 |title=India's Worsening Uranium Shortage |url=https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-16348.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250308084436/https://www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-16348.pdf |archive-date=8 March 2025}}</ref>
The project is commissioned by Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI), a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is responsible for the design of this reactor, the Advanced Fuel Fabrication Facility at the affiliated campus of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Tarapur is responsible for MOX fuel fabrication and Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) is providing technology and equipment for construction of the reactor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=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 |url=https://www.bhel.com/index.php/bhel-achieves-breakthrough-nuclear-power-segment-wins-order-new-rating-indigenously-developed-700 |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.bhel.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=https://inis.iaea.org/collection/NCLCollectionStore/_Public/45/089/45089591.pdf | title=Technological developments in safe and efficient fabrication of fast reactor fuel elements | website=inis.iaea.org}}</ref>
Construction work on the reactor beginning in 2004, was supposed to be completed in September 2010 but upon facing several delays was completed on 4th March 2024.<ref name="pr1">{{Cite web |title=PM witnesses the historic "Commencement of Core Loading" at India's first indigenous Fast Breeder Reactor (500 MWe) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu|url=https://dae.gov.in/pm-witnesses-the-historic-commencement-of-core-loading-at-indias-first-indigenous-fast-breeder-reactor-500-mwe-at-kalpakkam-tamil-nadu/|date=2024-03-04|access-date=2025-07-30|website=Department of Atomic Energy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=How India's beaches can unlock a nuclear-powered future |url=https://www.downtoearth.org.in/blog/energy/how-india-s-beaches-can-unlock-a-nuclear-powered-future-95590 |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.downtoearth.org.in |date=16 April 2024 |language=en}}</ref> The project's cost has also more than doubled from ₹3,500 crore to ₹8,181 crore due to the multiple delays.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Ramesh |first=M. |date=2026-04-05 |title=Parliament body unhappy as PFBR cost mounts to ₹8,181 crore |url=https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/parliament-body-unhappy-as-pfbr-cost-mounts-to-8181-crore/article70826618.ece |access-date=2026-04-08 |website=BusinessLine |language=en}}</ref> The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor successfully achieved first criticality on 6th April 2026 at 08:25 PM IST.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu attains First Criticality {{!}} Department Of Atomic Energy {{!}} India |url=https://dae.gov.in/prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-at-kalpakkam-tamil-nadu-attains-first-criticality/ |access-date=2026-04-08 |language=en}}</ref>
== Background == The reactor uses Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel reprocessed from its first stage of reactors to generate electricity and using a blanket of fertile material, Uranium-238 or Thorium-232, to generate fissile byproducts, Plutonium-239 and Uranium-233 through nuclear transmutation respectively.<ref name=":0" /> The later is meant to be used in the third stage of Thorium-232–Uranium-233 fuelled reactors. FBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the program paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India's abundant thorium reserves.<ref name="pr1"/><ref> {{Cite news |date=2024-03-05 |title=PM watches core loading of first indigenous fast breeder reactor |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/pm-witnesses-core-loading-of-first-indigenous-fast-breeder-reactor/articleshow/108220693.cms |access-date=2024-05-15 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> The surplus plutonium (or uranium-233 for thorium reactors) from each fast reactor can be used to set up more such reactors and grow the nuclear capacity in tune with India's needs for power. The PFBR is a part of the India's three-stage nuclear power programme laid down by Homi J. Bhabha.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2026-04-10 |title=India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor draws global praise |url=https://www.dtnext.in/news/world/indias-prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-draws-global-praise |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=DT Next |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Jayakumar |first=P. B. |date=2026-04-11 |title=India's civil nuclear energy ambitions soar to the next level, as the first Fast Breeder Reactor takes off |url=https://www.fortuneindia.com/economy/indias-civil-nuclear-energy-ambitions-soar-to-the-next-level-as-the-first-fast-breeder-reactor-takes-off/132233 |access-date=2026-04-11 |website=Fortune India |language=en}}</ref>
India has the capability to use thorium cycle based processes to extract nuclear fuel. This is of special significance to the Indian nuclear power generation strategy as India has one of the world's largest reserves of thorium, which could provide power for perhaps as long as 60,000 years.<ref>{{cite book|url=http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/withouthotair/c24/page_166.shtml|title=Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air|last=MacKay|first=David J. C.|author-link=David J. C. MacKay|date=20 February 2009|publisher=UIT Cambridge Ltd.|page=166|access-date=2012-03-23}}</ref><ref name="Dan">{{cite news|last=Rodricks|first=Dan|title=Thor's nuclear-powered hammer|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2011/05/09/thors-nuclear-powered-hammer/|work=The Baltimore Sun|access-date=23 March 2012|date=9 May 2011}}</ref>
== Design and construction ==
=== Commissioning === For drawing a plan for PFBR, a steering group of scientists was setup in December 1979 by Dr. Raja Ramanna, the then Secretary of DAE. Its report published in 1980 was iterated upon by a PFBR working group, in coming up with a design proposal in 1983. Based on design validation and analysis, a detailed project report was submitted in 1985 for financial sanction, which had to undergo further tests and studies resulting in a revised detailed project report for PFBR published in 2002 that received financial sanction by Government of India in September 2003, expecting completion in 2010.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Baldev |first=Raj |date=July 2006 |title=History and Evolution of Fast Breeder Reactor Design in India |url=https://www.igcar.gov.in/newsletter/igc69.pdf |work=INDIRA GANDHI CENTRE FOR ATOMIC RESEARCH}}</ref> The design of PFBR drew inspiration and lessons learnt from operation of lower power Kalpakkam Mini reactor (KAMINI)<ref name=":1" /> and Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).<ref name=":2" />
Manufacture of components for the reactor and sodium metal procurement was completed by 2010 behind schedule,<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |last=Kale |first=R. D. |date=2020-04-01 |title=India's fast reactor programme – A review and critical assessment |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149197020300251 |journal=Progress in Nuclear Energy |volume=122 |article-number=103265 |doi=10.1016/j.pnucene.2020.103265 |issn=0149-1970|url-access=subscription }}</ref> however the project also faced further string of delays,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-03-12 |title=India's prototype breeder reactor is delayed again |url=https://fissilematerials.org/blog/2020/03/indias_prototype_breeder.html |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=IPFM Blog |language=en-us}}</ref> including technical delays, such as in commissioning of sodium circuits and preheating of main vessel,<ref name=":4" /> delays due to regulatory changes, such as Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) regulations regarding earthquake resistant safety designs following Fukushima accident,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-04-24 |title=Yet another delay in commissioning India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor |url=https://fissilematerials.org/blog/2017/04/yet_another_delay_in_comm.html |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=IPFM Blog |language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shivakumar |first=C. |date=2016-04-30 |title=AERB Rules Slowing Reactor Project? |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2016/Apr/30/30-931032.html |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> and problems with plutonium production and fuel fabrication.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2016-07-31 |title=Further delay in commissioning India's Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor |url=https://fissilematerials.org/blog/2016/07/further_delay_in_commissi.html |access-date=2026-04-18 |website=IPFM Blog |language=en-us}}</ref> The cost had also more than doubled from ₹3,500 crore to ₹8,181 crore by the time of its completion in 2024, nearly 20 years since the beginning of its construction.<ref name=":3" />
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was in Kalpakkam on 4 March 2024 to witness the initiation of its first core loading, marking the second stage of India's three-stage nuclear power program.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-03-04 |title=Core loading of India's 1st indigenous nuclear reactor in Kalpakkam on Monday |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Mar/04/core-loading-of-indias-1st-indigenous-nuclear-reactor-in-kalpakkam-on-monday |access-date=2024-03-04 |website=The New Indian Express |language=en}}</ref> On 31 July 2024, AERB approved adding nuclear fuel and starting the chain reaction.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Surendra |date=2024-07-31 |title=India's most advanced fast breeder reactor gets regulator's nod for loading N-fuel |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/regulator-nod-for-fuel-loading-in-key-n-reactor-at-kalpakkam/articleshow/112148131.cms |access-date=2024-08-01 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref> But new technical issues crept up, after solving those, the AERB cleared BHAVINI to commence final fuel loading which began on 18 October, 2025. The reactor achieved first criticality on 6 April 2026.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Koshy |first=Jacob P. |date=2026-04-07 |title=Fast Breeder Nuclear Reactor at Kalpakam takes 'critical' leap forward |url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kalpakkam-fast-breeder-reactor-attains-criticality/article70832728.ece |access-date=2026-04-07 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bagla |first=Pallava |date=2026-04-07 |title=India's Most Advanced Atomic Reactor Reaches Milestone, Attains Criticality |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/indias-most-advanced-atomic-reactor-prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-pfbr-at-kalpakkam-in-tamil-nadu-reaches-milestone-attains-criticality-11320590 |access-date=2026-04-07 |work=ndtv.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Kabir |first=Radifah |date=2026-04-07 |title=India has a nuclear reactor that can make more fuel than it burns. Science explained |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/india-prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-kalpakkam-criticality-nuclear-programme-thorium-2892521-2026-04-07 |access-date=2026-04-07 |website=India Today |language=en}}</ref>
A few lower power physics experiments will be carried out once sustained nuclear chain reaction is achieved. The next step will link the reactor to electrical grid and start producing power on a commercial basis, pending approval from AERB. Kalpakkam will see the construction of two more fast breeder reactors after the DAE is satisfied with the reactor's performance.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-08-01 |title=India's nuclear regulator approves criticality for Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor |url=https://www.neimagazine.com/news/indias-nuclear-regulator-approves-criticality-for-prototype-fast-breeder-reactor/ |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=Nuclear Engineering International |language=en-US}}</ref> Construction of the first two FBR are planned at Kalpakkam, after a year of successful operation of the PFBR. Other four FBR are planned to follow beyond 2030, at sites to be defined.<ref name="up5to6">{{cite news |title=India plans to construct six more fast breeder reactors |work=The Economic Times |access-date=15 December 2015 |date=1 December 2015 |url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-12-01/news/68688445_1_fuel-loading-prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-pfbr|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164554/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-12-01/news/68688445_1_fuel-loading-prototype-fast-breeder-reactor-pfbr|archive-date=22 December 2015}}</ref>
=== Technical details === [[File:LMFBR schematics2.svg|thumb|upright=2|Schematic diagram showing the difference between the loop and pool designs of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor. The pool-type has greater thermal inertia to changes in temperature, which therefore gives more time to shut down/SCRAM during a loss of coolant accident situation.]]
The reactor is a pool type LMFBR with 1,750 tonnes of sodium as coolant. Designed to generate 500 MWe of electrical power, with an operational life of 40 years, it will burn a mixed uranium-plutonium MOX fuel, a mixture of {{chem|PuO|2}} and {{chem|UO|2}}. A fuel burnup of 100 GWd/t is expected. The Fuel Fabrication Facility (FFF), under the direction of BARC, Tarapur is responsible for the fuel rods manufacturing. FFF comes under "Nuclear Recycle Board" of Bhabha Atomic Research Center and has been responsible for fuel rod manufacturing of various types in the past.{{cn|date=August 2023}} FFF Tarapur in early 2023 had successfully completed fabrication of 100,000 PFBR fuel elements.{{clarify|what type of fuel "element"|date=August 2023}}<ref>[https://www.barc.gov.in/presentations/20230126.pdf Republic Day Address], BARC Director.</ref>
=== Safety considerations === The prototype fast breeder reactor has a negative void coefficient, thus ensuring a high level of passive nuclear safety. This means that when the reactor overheats (above the boiling point of sodium) the speed of the fission chain reaction decreases, lowering the power level and the temperature.<ref name="raj1">{{cite journal|last1=Raj|first1=Baldev|title=Design Robustness and Safety Adequacy of India's Fast Breeder Reactor|journal=Science & Global Security|date=30 October 2009|volume=17|issue=2–3|pages=194–196|doi=10.1080/08929880903451397|bibcode=2009S&GS...17..194R|s2cid=119918317}}</ref> Similarly, before such a potential positive void condition may form from a complete loss of coolant accident, sufficient coolant flow rates are made possible by the use of conventional pump inertia, alongside multiple inlet-perforations, to prevent the possible accident scenario of a single blockage halting coolant flow.<ref name="raj1"/>
The active-safety reactor decay heat removal system consists of four independent coolant circuits of 8MWt capacity each.<ref>{{cite web|title=Design of 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor|url=http://www.dae.gov.in/ni/nimar04/design.pdf|access-date=2012-04-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120417081309/http://www.dae.gov.in/ni/nimar04/design.pdf|archive-date=2012-04-17}}</ref> Further active defenses against the positive feedback possibility include two independent SCRAM shutdown systems, designed to shut the fission reactions down effectively within a second, with the remaining decay heat then needing to be cooled for a number of hours by the four independent circuits.
The fact that the PFBR is cooled by liquid sodium creates additional safety requirements to isolate the coolant from the environment, especially in a loss of coolant accident scenario, since sodium explodes if it comes into contact with water and burns when in contact with air. This latter event occurred in the Monju reactor in Japan in 1995. Another consideration with the use of sodium as a coolant is the absorption of neutrons to generate the radioactive isotope {{chem|24|Na}}, which has a 15-hour half life.<ref name=Popular>{{cite news|author = Busse, J.G.|title = Slow breeder makes its own nuclear fuel|newspaper = Popular Science |date=April 1978 |volume=212 |issue=4 |pages=89–91, 200, 202 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tQAAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA89 }}</ref>
== See also == * FBR-600 - commercial variant of the PFBR design * India's three stage nuclear power programme
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links == *{{cite news |title=Kalpakkam PFBR to be completed ahead of schedule; 4 more to come up by 2020 |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 September 2005 |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/09/07/stories/2005090704781300.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080201070722/http://www.hinduonnet.com/2005/09/07/stories/2005090704781300.htm|url-status=usurped|archive-date=1 February 2008}} *[http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S002954930600080X The design of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor], Nuclear Engineering and Design, April 2006
{{Nuclear power in India}} {{Nuclear technology}}
Category:Liquid metal fast reactors Category:Nuclear power in India Category:Indian inventions