Fast reactor fuel reprocessing technology in India

The limited indigenous uranium resource coupled with the need of energy independence necessitated the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) in India to opt for a three-stage nuclear power program comprising of PHWRs in Stage 1, FBRs in Stage 2 and Th-U²³³ based reactors in Stage 3, respectively to meet the energy needs of the growing Indian economy. Presently the country has stepped into the 2nd Stage. The transition from the Stage 1 to 2 was fruitful thanks to the 2-decade long R and D experience gained in Fast Reactor Fuel Reprocessing (FRFR). Closing the fast reactor fuel cycle through FRFR was inevitable for the success of the Indian Nuclear Power Program (INPP). The latest achievement by the center was the successful reprocessing of 100 GWd/t burnup mixed carbide fuel with 70% Pu, discharged from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) which is also located in the same center. The designs of the various equipments and process flow sheet had stemmed from the above experiences thereby increasing the confidence level in the future plans of the Department. In this paper, an overview of the experiences in FRFR with glimpses of the various developmental activities towards the future plants is spelt out. (author)