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Basu, India
Nuclear energy is to meet 25% to 50% of the total energy requirement Nuclear capacity will reach 20 Gwe and more by 2020 200 Gwe and above generation capacity is targeted by the middle of the century
Other impact of nuclear agreement is availability of Natural Uranium from foreign sources PHWRs based on natural Uranium obtained from foreign sources Interim storage and reprocessing of spent fuel
Reprocessing requirements
Natural Uranium (Indian) - PHWR Natural Uranium (Foreign) - PHWR Enriched Uranium- LWRs of four types Recycled Uranium(LWR fuel repro.) - PHWR Fast reactor MOX fuel Fast reactor metallic fuel Th Pu U233 fuel Th U233 fuel
Waste management
High level waste is vitrified and stored in interim storage facility Cesium and Strontium recovery is planned
Challenges : construction and operation of larger size plants Extension of available technology; for low and high burn up fuel Use of newer equipment Cost reduction
Reprocessing and fabrication of metallic fuel Pyro chemical technique for reprocessing Electro reduction technique for conversion from oxide to metal Metallic fuel fabrication Commercial scale operation
Safety Guides
Comprehensive safety codes and guides are required for the back end of fuel cycle Should cover reprocessing ,waste management and repository
Conclusion
Uranium Resource constraint ; Countries aiming large and sustained nuclear generation has to opt for closed fuel cycle Waste volume; Significant reduction in waste volume is possible only through closed fuel cycle route Indian nuclear recycle programme is poised for major expansion, matching the enhanced power generation plans