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Fast Breeder Reactors — UPSC Quick Notes

Core idea: Produces more fissile material than it consumes. Uses fast neutrons → no moderator needed. Coolant = liquid sodium.

Fertile → Fissile conversion:

U-238 → Pu-239

Th-232 → U-233

India's 3-Stage Programme:

PHWR (U-235) → produces Pu-239

FBR (Pu-239 + U-238) → breeds U-233 from Th-232

AHWR (U-233 + Th-232) — thorium economy

PFBR — Key facts:

Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu

500 MWe | Operator: BHAVINI

First criticality: 2024

India = 2nd country after Russia to operate commercial FBR

Why it matters for India: World's largest thorium reserves → FBR unlocks Stage 3 energy security.