HALEU Fuel Cycle as an Alternative to FBRs | 07 Apr 2025

Source: IE 

Why in News? 

India’s 3-stage nuclear power programme is facing delays in deploying Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs). Amid these challenges, the former Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) chief has suggested using HALEU and thorium as fuel to effectively utilize existing PHWRs. 

How Can Thorium-HALEU Fuel Be Integrated into India’s Nuclear Programme? 

  • Using PHWRs with HALEU: India can enhance its nuclear energy programme by using a mix of High Assay Low Enriched Uranium (HALEU) and thorium in existing 700 MWe Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs). 
    • HALEU is uranium enriched between 5% and 20% U-235. This approach enables India to start utilizing thorium sooner, making its nuclear power generation more sustainable.  
  • Recycling Spent Fuel: The spent fuel from PHWRs using HALEU-thorium can be reprocessed to extract valuable fissile material (substance whose nucleus can undergo fission when struck by a neutron). 
    • This reprocessed material can then be utilized in advanced reactors such as Molten Salt Reactors (MSRs), which form part of India’s 3rd stage of its nuclear programme.  
    • It ensures optimal use of nuclear fuel, contributing to the long-term sustainability of India’s nuclear energy sector by minimizing waste and maximizing fuel efficiency. 

What is India's 3-Stage Nuclear Power Programme?  

  • About: India’s 3-Stage Nuclear Power Programme, formulated by Dr. Homi Bhabha, aims to achieve long-term energy security by efficiently utilising India’s limited uranium and abundant thorium reserves.  
    • It is a phased plan to develop nuclear energy in a sustainable and self-reliant manner. 
  • 3 Stages:

Stage  

Aim  

Fuel/Coolant/ Moderator  

Nuclear Reactor  

Current Status  

Stage-1 

It aims to generate electricity while producing plutonium-239 (Pu-239) as a byproduct.  

Plutonium is key for the next stages of the programme.  

  

Uranium (U-238)  

Moderator: Heavy water (deuterium oxide)  

Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)  

India has already constructed 18 PHWRs, as the foundation of India's nuclear power infrastructure.  

  

Stage-2  

It focuses on Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs), which utilize Pu-239 from the first stage to generate more fissile material than they consume.  

 

These reactors convert fertile uranium-238 into Pu-239, enhancing the nuclear fuel cycle efficiency.  

Mixed Oxide of Plutonium-239 and Uranium-238  

Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)  

  

The Prototype FBR at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, is a key development in this stage.  

Stage-3  

It focuses on Thorium Reactors, which use Thorium-232 to produce uranium-233, a fissile material.   

 

Thorium-232 (converted into Uranium-233)  

  

Thorium-Based Reactors (Thorium Cycle) 

Research into thorium-based reactors is ongoing, with the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) & Molten Salt Reactors being developed as part of this stage. 

India’s Nuclear Weapon Programme 

  • Smiling Buddha (1974): India’s first successful nuclear test conducted at Pokhran, Rajasthan, making it the 6th country (after the US, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, France, and China) to possess nuclear capability. 
  • Operation Shakti (1998): A series of 5 nuclear tests (Pokhran-II), including a thermonuclear device, which demonstrated India’s advanced nuclear weapons capability. 

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)  

Prelims

Q. In India, why are some nuclear reactors kept under “IAEA safeguards” while others are not? (2020)

(a) Some use uranium and others use thorium  

(b) Some use imported uranium and others use domestic supplies  

(c) Some are operated by foreign enterprises and others are operated by domestic enterprises  

(d) Some are State-owned and others are privately owned  

Ans: (b)