<p>Describing India as self-reliant in nuclear energy, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr R K Sinha today said that due to shortage of uranium, India would start using “plutonium” based nuclear reactor in the second phase of its programme at Kalpakkam in two years.</p>.<p><br />It would be a “prototype fast breeder” (PFB) that has been indigenously designed and technologically sound, Dr Sinha, who is also Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) told reporters after a convocation ceremony at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology here today.<br /><br />Indian industries have played an important role in making the prototype fast breeder a success, he said, adding that many other countries were working on such fast breeders.<br /><br />Dr Sinha said that until now, during the first phase of its nuclear programme, Indian reactors have been using uranium which was not abundantly available in the country and hence plutonium, a trans-uranic radioactive material would be used in fast breeder reactors.<br /><br />After using uranium in existing and running reactors reactors, plutonium has been obtained. This could be used in upcoming reactors after re-processing, he added. In the third phase, thorium would be used in nuclear reactors, he said.<br /><br />By the end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan, construction of thorium-based “Advanced Heavy Water Reactor” (AHWR) would begin, he said, adding that the technique would be demonstrated before installation and operation.<br /><br />AHWR technology would also be enhanced on a commercial basis, he said, adding that it would take years to come up in the country, he said.<br /><br />He said that the site of the reactor was yet to be confirmed. However, he hinted that it could be in Vishkhapatnam.</p>
<p>Describing India as self-reliant in nuclear energy, Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr R K Sinha today said that due to shortage of uranium, India would start using “plutonium” based nuclear reactor in the second phase of its programme at Kalpakkam in two years.</p>.<p><br />It would be a “prototype fast breeder” (PFB) that has been indigenously designed and technologically sound, Dr Sinha, who is also Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) told reporters after a convocation ceremony at Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology here today.<br /><br />Indian industries have played an important role in making the prototype fast breeder a success, he said, adding that many other countries were working on such fast breeders.<br /><br />Dr Sinha said that until now, during the first phase of its nuclear programme, Indian reactors have been using uranium which was not abundantly available in the country and hence plutonium, a trans-uranic radioactive material would be used in fast breeder reactors.<br /><br />After using uranium in existing and running reactors reactors, plutonium has been obtained. This could be used in upcoming reactors after re-processing, he added. In the third phase, thorium would be used in nuclear reactors, he said.<br /><br />By the end of the Twelfth Five Year Plan, construction of thorium-based “Advanced Heavy Water Reactor” (AHWR) would begin, he said, adding that the technique would be demonstrated before installation and operation.<br /><br />AHWR technology would also be enhanced on a commercial basis, he said, adding that it would take years to come up in the country, he said.<br /><br />He said that the site of the reactor was yet to be confirmed. However, he hinted that it could be in Vishkhapatnam.</p>