Nuke issues

The Kaiga nuclear scare has once again put the nuclear issue on the front burner. Yes, it was not radiation leak but an equally relevant problem. Access to radiation material. Do we need nuclear in the energy mix? How well can we handle it, especially in a country notorious for fuel pilferage, corruption, and not to say the least, poverty which often drives the action?

As we had raised the question earlier, in a scenario of hundreds of reactors dotting the landscape, and given the fuel transport issue, are we competent this potent source?

Meanwhile, indigenous development of reactors that combine uranium and thorium proves India’s technological prowess. Bhabha Atomic research center in Mumbai, India offers a detailed description of the AHWR300-LEU reactor now under development.

This has significant implications for the less well developed nations of Asia, Africa and Latin America. The design of the AHWR300-LEU contains numerous cost saving features. And India hopes to deliver these reactors to less well developed countries at a cost that will be at an order of magnitude lower than that of renewables.

AHWR300-LEU possesses several features, which are likely to reduce its capital and operating costs alongwith an emphasis on simplicity, low cost, safety and longevity. The AHWR-300-LEU will also produce a modest amount of fresh water in the cooling process.

The AHWR-300-LEU is designed primarily for export. It is provided with a double containment. Safety aspects also are taken care of with passive safety systems, removal of heat from core by natural circulation, independent shutdown systems, etc

The design of the AHWR300-LEU fuel mix prevents nuclear proliferation from spent fuel, as also minimises problems related to the long term storage of spent fuel.