CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -The Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is a 500 MWe fast breeder nuclear reactor presently being constructed at the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS) in Kalpakkam, India. The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is responsible for the design of this reactor.

Detailed explanation-2: -Indigenously produced Mixed Uranium & Plutonium Oxide will be used as the fuel in the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam.

Detailed explanation-3: -The design of the country’s first fast breeder reactor was done by the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research. The country’s first indigenously developed 500-megawatt (mw) prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam in Tamil Nadu is expected to achieve criticality next year, a senior official said.

Detailed explanation-4: -These reactors use natural uranium as the fuel which contains only 0.7% of fissionable Uranium-235. Hence, the PHWR programme cannot be taken beyond a power level of  10, 000 MWe based on the presently known and exploitable indigenous resources of natural uranium.

Detailed explanation-5: -Kamini (Kalpakkam Mini reactor) is the first fast breeder neutron reactor in India.