Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level: Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS), India’s 3-stage Nuclear Power Program, Plutonium.

Why in the News?

Recently a study was conducted on Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS) by the US. This study holds significance for design updates in India’s second stage of its nuclear power programme.

India’s Progress in Nuclear Energy

On March 4, India advanced to the second stage of its nuclear power programme by beginning the core-loading process of the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) at the Madras Atomic Power Station in Kalpakkam.

India’s 3-stage Nuclear Power Program:

	Description	Timeline
Stage 1	Relies on pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) using natural uranium as fuel.	Initiated in the 1950s; Operational since the 1960s
Stage 2	Focuses on developing fast breeder reactors (FBRs) using plutonium-239 produced in Stage 1.	Initiated in the 1970s; Development phase
Stage 3	Involves the development of thorium-based reactors utilizing India’s significant thorium reserves.	Initiated in the late 1980s/early 1990s; Research & Development phase

What is Prompt Fission Neutron Spectrum (PFNS)?

Definition: PFNS refers to neutrons emitted right after a Pu-240 nucleus captures a neutron but before it reaches a stable state.
Previous Studies: To date, only one study has investigated PFNS for Pu-240-induced fission at 0.85 mega-electron-volt (MeV). Recently, researchers in the U.S. conducted a second study with neutrons of higher energy than 0.85 MeV.
New Findings: The findings reveal significant differences between predicted and measured PFNS, aiding reactor designers and nuclear medicine practitioners.

About Plutonium-240 and its Fission

Neutron Capture: When a Pu-239 nucleus captures a neutron, it can either undergo fission or become Pu-240.
- Pu-240 is common in nuclear reactors and nuclear weapon test fallout.
Pu-240 Behavior: Pu-240 capturing a neutron typically turns into Pu-241.
- If Pu-240 undergoes fission, there’s uncertainty about the energy of its fission products.
- Current models use complex calculations to estimate this output.

Do you know?

Plutonium is created from Uranium-238 in nuclear reactors.
Plutonium-239 is a weapon-grade fissile material (i.e. used to make nuclear weapons).
- Pu-239 and Pu-240 are by-products of nuclear reactor operations and nuclear bomb explosions.

Relevance of PFNS Study to India’s PFBR

PFBR Use: The PFBR uses plutonium from CANDU (Canada Deuterium Uranium) reactor spent fuel, which contains Pu-240. Reprocessed PFBR spent fuel will also contain Pu-240.
Importance of New Data: New data on Pu-240 behaviour is essential for improving reactor efficiency and safety.

Production and Characteristics of Pu-240

Creation of Pu-239: Pu-239 is created when U-238 is exposed to neutrons in a reactor. As Pu-239 captures neutrons, it turns into Pu-240, which builds up over time.
Spontaneous Fission: Pu-240 undergoes spontaneous fission, emitting alpha particles, and is considered a contaminant in weapons-grade plutonium, where its composition is kept below 7%.
Reactor-Grade Plutonium: Plutonium with more than 19% Pu-240 is classified as reactor-grade.

Experimental Findings on PFNS

Research at LANSCE: Researchers at Los Alamos Neutron Science Centre (LANSCE) conducted tests by bombarding a pure Pu-240 sample with neutrons of 0.01-800 MeV energy.
Detection Setup: The setup included liquid scintillators to detect emitted particles, using a small Pu-240 sample to minimize alpha particle emission.
Measurement Focus: They measured the energies of neutrons and other fission products, focusing on neutron-induced fission data.

PYQ:

[2023] Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: India, despite having uranium deposits, depends on coal for most its electricity production.
Statement-II: Uranium, enriched to the extent at of least 60%, is required for the production of electricity.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-1

(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

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