Challenges and opportunities for chemical scientists and technologists in sodium cooled fast breeder reactor and associated fuel cycle

For meeting the energy demands of the nation, the Department of Atomic Energy is pursuing a three stage power generation programme. Towards this, a fast breeder test reactor (FBTR) is operating at Kalpakkam for the last 25 years, and based on this experience, a prototype fast breeder reactor (PFBR) of 500 MWe is under advanced stage of construction and commissioning. For establishing robust FBR technology, a wide spectrum of R and D is being pursued at IGCAR, Kalpakkam on different aspects including design, materials, manufacturing, instrumentation, operation, safety, inspection, sensors, sodium technology etc. The success of FBR programme largely depends on the effective reprocessing of the high Pu and high burn up irradiated fuel from the reactor. Chemical science and engineering plays a key role in establishing the FBR technology as large quantity of liquid sodium at high temperature is being used as coolant. Key to the success are sensors and technologies to study impurities in sodium, which govern corrosion and mass transfer of elements in structural matrix of alloys, flow, thermal hydraulics and striping characteristics of sodium. In the spent nuclear fuel reprocessing, dissolution, solvent extraction and separation are pursued for retrieving the useful and bred fissile material for multiplying of energy production in advanced fast spectrum reactors. Chemical engineering plays a key role in establishing the flow sheet by adopting the Purex process and efficiently confining the waste generated through immobilization technologies. The choice of materials to mitigate corrosion in demanding environment of reprocessing and high level waste management plants is key to the success of back-end fuel cycle technology. The presentation highlights the role of chemical scientist and technologist in successfully deploying the FBRs and associated fuel cycle technologies for successfully closing the fuel cycle. The closed nuclear fuel cycle with fast spectrum reactors is in an enviable position to deliver clean mega energy satisfying the security and sustainability aspects. It is a matter of honour that without doubt, India is among the leaders in these technologies and arguably the leader. (author)