Implementation of thorium fuel cycle in Indian nuclear programme

To ensure long term availability of nuclear energy in a sustainable manner, taking cognisance of its resource position, India has followed a closed fuel cycle option and chalked out a three-stage nuclear power programme based on uranium and thorium. The three stages of this programme comprise: - Natural uranium fuelled Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors - Fast Breeder Reactors utilising plutonium based fuel - Advanced nuclear power systems for utilization of thorium The technology for the first stage has already reached a level of maturity, and a commercial fast breeder reactor programme, comprising of the second stage, is due to start soon with the construction of Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (Pbr). A large amount of research and development is going on for utilizing thorium. In this respect, an Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (A HWR) is being designed in India. The R and D work on thorium fuel cycle is discussed