Role of NFC in the manufacture of sub-assemblies for FBRs

Full text: Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has embarked in a big way to setup Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs) after the successful commissioning and operation of 13 MWe Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at Kalpakkam, Tamilnadu. Towards this, a 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is under advanced stage of construction. Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC) was given the task of manufacturing all the subassemblies required for FBTR except for fuel pellets and its encapsulation. This involved development of variety of special grade stainless steel and other raw materials, precision components, cladding tubes and hexagonal sheaths. Indigenous Design, development and fabrication of Special Purpose Machines for variety of assembly and fabrication operations was mastered including optimization of process parameters and quality control techniques. Fabrication of blanket materials like ThO2 and DDUO2 pellets was taken up on a large scale. NFC has successfully played a key role in meeting the initial core requirement and subsequent reload requirement of FBTR. With the experience gained, NFC took up the challenge of manufacturing the subassemblies required for PFBR. The journey from FBTR towards PFBR was very challenging, necessitating the indigenous development of materials, technology and machines. The capability of Indian industry is utilized to avoid imports to the maximum possible extent. NFC manufactured variety of initial test assemblies for freezing the core subassemblies' design for PFBR. At present NFC is fully geared up to manufacture the entire core Subassemblies (except MOX fuel) of PFBR for the 1st core. NFC is also associated in establishing fast reactor fuel cycle facility (FRFCF) for annual fuel supply of PFBR for closing the fuel cycle. For meeting the energy demand of India, the main thrust of DAE is to set up several FBRs in the near future to get the multiplying effect of power generation. NFC is looking forward to be part of this challenging task