Indian Nuclear Arrangements

Indian Nuclear Arrangements

Department of Atomic Energy, India has been pursuing the nuclear program in 3 stages

1st Stage :

• It is the only stage in commercial domain
• In this stage the Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)is developed
• Natural Uranium (Uranium 235) is used  as fuel
• Heavy Water is used as moderator or coolant
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India ltd (NPCIL) is responsible for design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors
• PHWRs are at Kundankulam, Kakrapar(Gujrat), Rawatbhata(Rajasthan)

2nd Stage:

• This stage is in Demostration Stage
• In this stage Fast Breeder Reactors (FBS) are developed 
• Plutonium is produced by irradiation of Uranium 238
• Liquid Sodium is used as Coolant
• Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR)  is engaged in design and development of reactors
• Prototype FBR is  working at Kalpakkam
• Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI) is implementing the project at Kalapakkam

3rd Stage:

• This stage is in Development Stage
• This stage is based on Thorium-Uranium-233 Cycle
• Uranium-233 is obtain by irradiation of Thorium
• In this stage Advanced Heavy Water Reactor(AHWR) is Developed at BARC
• AHWR is first time developed in the world
• A research reactor KAMINI is operational at Kalapakkam

In all the 3 stages only 1st is in commercial use, 2nd stage is in demonstration, and the 3rd stage is in developmental stage