Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor

[5] [6] The facility builds on the decades of experience gained from operating the lower power Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR).

The construction was completed on 4th March 2024 with commencement of core loading of the reactor hence paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India’s abundant thorium reserves.

FBR is thus a stepping stone for the third stage of the program paving the way for the eventual full utilization of India's abundant thorium reserves.

[20] On 31 July 2024, the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved adding nuclear fuel and starting the chain reaction.

The next step will link the reactor to electrical grid and start producing power on a commercial basis, pending approval from AERB.

Designed to generate 500 MWe of electrical power, with an operational life of 40 years, it will burn a mixed uranium-plutonium MOX fuel, a mixture of PuO2 and UO2.

FFF comes under "Nuclear Recycle Board" of Bhabha Atomic Research Center and has been responsible for fuel rod manufacturing of various types in the past.

[clarification needed][24] The prototype fast breeder reactor has a negative void coefficient, thus ensuring a high level of passive nuclear safety.

This means that when the reactor overheats (below the boiling point of sodium) the speed of the fission chain reaction decreases, lowering the power level and the temperature.

Schematic diagram showing the difference between the loop and pool designs of a liquid metal fast breeder reactor . The pool-type has greater thermal inertia to changes in temperature, which therefore gives more time to shut down/ SCRAM during a loss of coolant accident situation.