PFBR to be safer, more economical: IGCAR Director

Chennai, Apr 6 (UNI) The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) has drawn up a road map to make India's first 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor, presently under construction, safer and more economical.

IGCAR has developed the complex technology for the PFBR and the Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited (BHAVINI) is constructing the PFBR. The reactor's fuel will be plutonium-uranium oxide.

Talking to reporters after discussions with delegates from Brazil and South Africa as part of IBSA (India, Brazil, South Africa) nanotechnology initiative at its campus in Kalpakkam, about 70 km from here, IGCAR Director Dr Baldev Raj said IGCAR was committed to the deadline of September 2010 for PFBR to become operational.

'We have drawn up a clear road map for making the indigenous reactor more economical and safer. Though we are confident of completing it ahead of schedule, we don't want to rush things. We are committed to the date given to the Planning Commission. Since this is a first-of-its-kind reactor, we do not want to exceed the cost and time factor'.

''We want the reactor to work at a good capacity factor for a sustained period. We will stand by the commitment given to the Planning Commission', he added.

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