INDIA’S NUCLEAR PROGRAMME
· India's indigenous efforts in nuclear science and technology were established remarkably early. The first step was taken by Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha in March 1944 when he submitted a proposal to the Sir Dorab Tata Trust (established in honor of Bhabha's own uncle, Sir Dorab Tata) to found a nuclear research institute, over three years before independence and a year before the first nuclear weapon test. This led to the creation of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) on 19 December 1945 with Bhabha as its first Director. The new government of India passed the Atomic Energy Act, on 15 April 1948, leading to the establishment of the Indian Atomic Energy Commission (IAEC) not quite one year after independence. At that time Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru declared:
- “We must develop this atomic energy quite apart from war - indeed I think we must develop it for the purpose of using it for peaceful purposes. ... Of course, if we are compelled as a nation to use it for other purposes, possibly no pious sentiments of any of us will stop the nation from using it that way."
- In 1954 the Indian nuclear program began to move in a direction that would eventually lead to establishment of nuclear weapons capability. On 3 January 1954 the IAEC decided to set up a new facility - the Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET), later to become the "Indian Los Alamos". On 3 August 1954 the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was created with Dr. Bhabha as Secretary. This department answered directly to the Prime Minister and has continued to do so down to the present day. The Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay was formally
- inaugurated by PM Nehru on 20 January 1957. It acquired its present name -- Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) -- on 12 January 1967 when PM Indira Gandhi renamed it in memory of Dr. Bhabha who died in an airplane crash on 24 January 1966.
· In 1995 the Narasimha Rao government considered an accelerated program of nuclear tests. However, India's test preparations were detected by U.S. intelligence agencies, and the resultant U.S. diplomatic pressure convinced the Rao government to postpone the tests. [30] Plans for testing were renewed when the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee came to power for a brief period in 1996, but the BJP decided not to go through with the tests. [31] When it returned to power in 1998, the BJP authorized two rounds of nuclear tests on 11 and 13 May 1998, after which it formally declared India to be a nuclear-weapon state. Almost no one outside of India foresaw the test; however, geospatial analysis by Vipin Gupta and Frank Pabian had identified a likely site and timeframe for the test.
· After the 1998 tests the Indian government established a National Security Advisory Board, which issued a Draft Report on Indian Nuclear Doctrine in 1999 that broadly outlined India’s nuclear no-first-use policy and defensive posture of “credible minimum nuclear deterrence.” In January 2003, a Ministry of External Affairs press release maintained adherence to no-first-use, although with the condition that nuclear weapons could also be used in retaliation for a biological or chemical attack, or to protect Indian forces operating in Pakistan. Internal debate about the future role of nuclear weapons continued: a task force established by the Ministry of External Affairs to review India's nuclear posture recommended in 2007 “a comprehensive and integrated nuclear defense capability," taking into account the persistent political instability in the region and China's continued nuclear cooperation with Pakistan.
· The country’s nuclear weapons remain under the control of the civilian Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), comprised of a Political Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, which is “the sole body which can authorize the use of nuclear weapons;” and an Executive Council, led by the National Security Advisor, which “provides inputs for decision making… and executes the directives given to it by the Political Council.
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Milestones achieved by Department of Atomic Energy in India
S.No
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MileStone
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1
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January 19, 2011 - Unit 4 of Kaiga synchronised to grid.
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2
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December 7, 2010 - India and France sign agreement for fuel supply
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3
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November 27, 2010 - Unit 4 of Kaiga achieves first criticality
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4
|
March 31, 2010 - Unit 6 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station commences commercial operations
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5
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March 29, 2010 - India and USA complete negotiations on "arrangements and procedures" for reprocessing U.S.-obligated spent nuclear fuel
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6
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March 28, 2010 - Unit 6 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Syncronised to grid
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7
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March 12, 2010 - India & Russia agree on a Roadmap for construction of reactors of Russian design in India
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8
|
February 11, 2010 - India and United Kingdon sign joint declaration on nuclear cooperation
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9
|
January 23, 2010 - Unit 6 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station achieves first criticality
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10
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December 22, 2009 - Unit 5 of Raps synchronised to grid
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11
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November 11, 2009 - Unit 5 of RAPS achives first criticality
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12
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September 30, 2008 - India and France sign agreement on cooperation for peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy
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13
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April 7, 2008: Low power critical facility at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) attains first criticality.
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14
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March 13, 2008- DAE and University Institute of Chemical Technology (UICT), Mumbai sign MoU to establish a new DAE-UICT Centre for Chemical Engineering Education and Research.
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15
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September 2007 - Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) develop a 32 metre diameter Indian Deep Space Antenna System – IDSN 32 for providing steering, tracking and science data reception support for ISRO’s Moon Mission – Chandrayaan – I.
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16
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August 31, 2007 - Units 3 & 4 of the Tarapur Atomic Power Station dedicated to the Nation.
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17
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August 2007 - The BARC Training School completes 50 years. The setting up of the Training School in 1957 has provided almost the entire human resource for the nuclear programme in India.
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18
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1 August, 2007 - India and USA sign agreement on cooperation for peaceful uses of Nuclear Energy
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19
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June 25, 2007 - The first Opencast Uranium Mine of Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), inaugurated at Banduhurang. A Uranium Ore Processing Plant, also of UCIL inaugurated at Turamdih in Singhbum (East) district of Jharkhand.
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20
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May 6, 2007 - Unit – 3 of Kaiga Atomic Power Project declared commercial.
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21
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April 26, 2007 - India exports the first consignment of 720 kg Alfonso and Keasr mangoes to the US after being irradiated at BARC’s KRUSHAK plant at Lasalgaon, Nashik.
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22
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April 14, 2007 - Unit – 3 of Kaiga Atomic Power Project is synchronized with the southern grid.
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23
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February 26, 2007: Unit – 3 of the 220 MWe Kaiga Atomic Power Project in North Karnataka attains criticality. The criticality is achieved in less than 5 years, the first pour of concrete having been done in March 2002.
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24
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November 21, 2006: India signs agreement to join International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project.
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25
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August 18, 2006: TAPP – 3 goes commercial.
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26
|
August 4, 2006: APSARA the first nuclear research reactor in the whole of Asia completes 50 years.
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27
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June 15, 2006: TAPP – 3 synchronized with the grid.
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28
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May 21, 2006: The 540 MWe Unit – 3 of Tarapur Atomic power Project (TAPP – 3) attains criticality.
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29
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December 17, 2005: Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT) Indore dedicated in the memory of Dr. Raja Ramanna. The centre renamed as Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT).
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30
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December 5, 2005: India is admitted to the International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) venture. Other parties in this venture are China, European Union, Japan, South Korea and United States.
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31
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August 27, 2005: The 450 MeV electron beam injected in the Storage Ring of Indus – 2 (2.5 GeV Synchrotron Radiation Source) completes full four rounds. Later on December 2, 2005 first synchrotron light from Indus – 2 is recorded. On December 17, 2005 this 2.5 GeV SRS is dedicated to the nation.
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32
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June 2005: The first computerized indigenous telecobalt unit Bhabhatron – 1 is installed at the Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research & Education in Cancer (ACTREC).
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33
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June 4, 2005: Setting up of Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI) at Mumbai is announced. The institute a deemed university under the aegis of DAE is formed with the objective of accelerating the pace of basic research and translation of basic research into technology development.
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34
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June 4, 2005: TAPS 4 synchronized to the grid
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35
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March 6, 2005: India's first 540 MWe Nuclear Power Reactor Tarapur Unit 4 Attains Criticality.
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36
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2003: 1.7 MeV Tandetron Accelerator and the demo facility Lead Mini Cell (LMC) for reprocessing of FBTR carbide fuel on lab scale are commissioned at IGCAR.
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37
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November 2002: UCIL's Turamdih Mine, Jharkhand is inaugurated and Technology Demonstration Pilot Plant becomes operational at Jaduguda.
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38
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October 31, 2002: Waste Immobilization Plant and Uranium-Thorium Separation Plant at (both at Trombay) and the Radiation Processing Plant Krushak at Lasalgaon, district Nasik, Maharashtra are dedicated to the Nation.
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39
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September 18, 2002: First pour of concrete of Unit-5 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Project 5 & 6.
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40
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March 31, 2002: First pour of concrete of Units 1 & 2 of Kudankulam Atomic Power Project.
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41
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March 30 & May 10, 2002: First pours of concrete respectively of Unit-3 and Unit-4 of Kaiga Atomic Power Project 3 & 4.
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42
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February 12, 2002: India signs the biggest contract with the Russian Federation for the Nuclear Power Station at Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu.
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43
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March 18, 2001: Units 3 & 4 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Stations dedicated to the nation.
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44
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2001: FBTR fuel reaches burn up of 100,000 MWd/T.
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45
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November 16, 2000: Unit - 1 of Kaiga Atomic Power Station becomes commercial.
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46
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November 03, 2000: Unit-4 of Rajasthan Atomic Power station attains criticality. It creates history by synchronizing with the grid within a period of 14 days on November 17, 2000. The unit becomes commercial on December 23, 2000.
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47
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September 26, 2000: Unit-1 of Kaiga Atomic Power station attains criticality. It synchronizes to the grid on October 12, 2000.
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48
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April 21, 2000: Folded Tandem Ion Accelerator (FOTIA) at Trombay delivers first beam on target.
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49
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March 2000 & May 2000: First concrete pour of Unit-3 and Unit-4 of Tarapur Atomic Power Project - 3 & 4.
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50
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March 8, 2000: Tarapur Atomic Power Project – 3 & 4 rises up.
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51
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2000: Boron Enrichment Plant is commissioned at IGCAR, Kalpakkam.
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52
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January 1, 2000: BRIT's Radiation Processing Plant at Vashi, Navi Mumbai is commissioned.
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53
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December 24, 1999: Unit-3 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station attains criticality. It is synchronized to the grid on March 10, 2000 and becomes commercial on June 2, 2000.
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54
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September 24, 1999: Unit-2 of Kaiga Atomic Power Station attains criticality. It is synchronized to the grid on December 02, 1999 and becomes commercial on March 16, 2000.
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55
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July 1999: Solid Storage and Surveillance Facility (S3F) is commissioned at Tarapur.
|
56
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April 22, 1999: 450 MeV Synchrotron Radiation Source Indus-1 achieves electron beam current of 113 milli-ampere superceding the design value of 100 milli-ampere.
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57
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August 10, 1998: The 500 keV industrial electron accelerator developed indigenously by the BARC is commissioned for its first phase of operation. Ammonium diuranate (ADU) production commences at Rare Earths Division of IRE at Alwaye, Kerala.
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58
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May 27, 1998: Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit-2 is re-commissioned after enmasse replacement of coolant channels.
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59
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May 11 & 13, 1998: Five underground nuclear tests are conducted at Pokhran Range, Rajasthan.
|
60
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December 1997: Jaduguda Mill is expanded to treat 2,090 tonnes ore per day. PRYNCE (95% Neodymium Oxide) Plant is commissioned at Rare Earths Division.
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61
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March 31, 1997: Rajasthan Atomic Power Station Unit-1 is recommissioned.
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62
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1997: AMD discovers of uranium mineralisation in brecciated limestone at Gogi, Gulbarga district, Karnataka in the Bhima basin. Microzir Plant is commissioned in Chavra, Kerala.
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63
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October 20, 1996: Kalpakkam Mini Reactor (KAMINI) with Uranium-233 fuel attains criticality at IGCAR, Tamilnadu.
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64
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March 27, 1996: Kalpakkam Reprocessing Plant (KARP) is cold commissioned. KARP is dedicated to the nation on September 15, 1998.
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65
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1996: 30 kWt Kamini Reactor attains criticality. The reactor is taken to full power in September, 1997.
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66
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January 1995: Narwapahar mine is inaugurated.
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67
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1995: Research Irradiator Gamma Chamber 5000 is launched by BRIT.
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68
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1993: BARC supplies one millionth radio-isotope consignment.
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69
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September 03, 1992: Kakrapar Atomic Power Station - Unit I attains criticality. Its Unit II attains criticality on January 08, 1995.
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70
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1992: First remotely operated radiography camera is launched. Significant heavy mineral concentration along the East Coast, Andhra Pradesh is identified. New Thorium Plant at OSCOM, Chhattrapur, Orissa is commissioned by IRE.
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71
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May 16, 1991: First ECR heavy ion source of the country becomes operational at the Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre.
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72
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1991: AMD discovers uranium mineralisation at Lambapur, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh and produces upgraded xenotime concentrate at ‘Pre-concentrate Upgradation Plant’ (PUP) at Kunkuri.
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73
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November 09, 1990: Research Reactor PURNIMA-III, a Uranium-233 fueled reactor attains criticality.
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74
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1990: Dolostone - hosted uranium mineralization in the western margin of Cuddapah basin is discovered. Mineral Research Development Centre (MRDC) of IRE is launched at Kollam. HERO Plant is commissioned at Alwaye. Dredge & Wet Concentrator Plant at Chavara, Kerala is commissioned.
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75
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March 12, 1989: Narora Atomic Power Station Unit I attains criticality. Its Unit II attains criticality on October 24, 1991.
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76
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January 3, 1989: Regional Radiation Medicine Centre (RRMC) is inaugurated at Kolkata.
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77
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1989: AMD Training School is inaugurated. Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT) is constituted.
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78
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December 30, 1988: 12 MV Pelletron Accelerator is inaugurated in Mumbai. The accelerator is a joint endeavour of BARC & TIFR.
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79
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1988: AMD hands over the Kuttumangalam and Vettumadia sand deposits, Tamil Nadu to IRE.
|
80
|
September 17, 1987: Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) is formed by converting the erstwhile Nuclear Power Board.
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81
|
1987: AMD hands over Turamdih (West) uranium deposits to UCIL and beach sand deposits in Tamil Nadu to IRE.
|
82
|
December 1986: Mosaboni Uranium Recovery Plant of UCIL is commissioned.
|
83
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October 1986: Bhatin Mine is commissioned by UCIL and the ore is transported to Jaduguda mill for processing.
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84
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1986: Dredge Mining, Mineral Separation and Synthetic Rutile Plant at OSCOM, Chhatrapur, Orissa is commissioned by IRE. HERO Project at Alwaye, Kerala, is commissioned. Production is started at OSCOM.
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85
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December 18, 1985.- Reactor Research centre is named as Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
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86
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October 18, 1985: FBTR at IGCAR attains criticality.
|
87
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August 08, 1985: Research Reactor DHRUVA (100 MWt) attains criticality. It attains full power on January 17, 1988.
|
88
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March 05, 1985: Waste Immobilization Plant (WIP) at Tarapur is commissioned.
|
89
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1985: AMD hands over the Bodal uranium deposit to UCIL.
|
90
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May 10, 1984: Research Reactor PURNIMA-II, a Uranium-233 fueled homogenous reactor attains criticality.
|
91
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March 08, 1984: Plutonium - Uranium mixed Carbide Fuel for Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) is fabricated at Trombay.
|
92
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February 19, 1984: Centre for Advanced Technology (CAT) at Indore (Madhya Pradesh) is inaugurated.
|
93
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January 27, 1984: Madras Atomic Power Station - Unit I at Kalpakkam starts commercial operation. Unit II goes commercial on March 21, 1986.
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94
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1984: Sandstone-type uranium deposit at Domiasiat, Meghalaya is discovered.
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95
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November 15, 1983: Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) in Mumbai is constituted.
|
96
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February 1983: Rakha Uranium Recovery Plant of UCIL is commissioned.
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97
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1983: FBTR attains first criticality.
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98
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November 19, 1982: BARC's Power Reactor Fuel Reprocessing Plant at Tarapur is commissioned.
|
99
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November 18, 1979: Plutonium-Uranium Mixed Oxide (MoX) fuel is fabricated at Trombay.
|
100
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1979: AMD hands over Bhatin and Turamdih (East) uranium deposits (now in Jharkhand State) to UCIL.
|
101
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1978: High-sensitivity airborne spectrometric and magnetometric surveys started.
|
102
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June 16, 1977: Variable Energy Cyclotron becomes operational at Kolkata.
|
103
|
September 1975: Surda Uranium Recovery Plant of UCIL is commissioned.
|
104
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May 1975: Commercial production of by-products - Molybdenum and Copper concentrates starts.
|
105
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March 1975: Commercial production of Uranium Mineral Concentrates from Copper plant tailings at Surda, Hindustan Copper Limited commenced.
|
106
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May 18, 1974: Peaceful underground Nuclear Experiment is conducted at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
|
107
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1974: By-product Recovery Plant of UCIL at Jaduguda is commissioned.
|
108
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November 30, 1972: Unit-1 of Rajasthan Atomic Power Station at Rawatbhatta near Kota, Rajasthan begins commercial operation. Unit II goes commercial on November 1, 1980.
|
109
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May 18, 1972: Research Reactor PURNIMA-I attains criticality.
|
110
|
February 3, 1972: DAE Safety Review Committee is formed.
|
111
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1972: AMD hands over the beach sand heavy mineral deposits of Chhatrapur, Orissa and Neendakara-Kayankulam, Kerala to IRE.
|
112
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February 18, 1971: Plutonium fuel for Research Reactor PURNIMA-I is fabricated at Trombay.
|
113
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September 06, 1970: Uranium-233 is separated from irradiated Thorium.
|
114
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1970: AMD hands over the Uranium Deposit at Narwapahar to UCIL.
|
115
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October 02, 1969: Tarapur Atomic Power Station starts commercial operation.
|
116
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May 01, 1969: Heavy Water Projects is constituted at Mumbai. This later becomes Heavy Water Board.
|
117
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March 12, 1969: Reactor Research Centre (RRC) starts at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. The Centre is fully established in 1971.
|
118
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December 31, 1968: Nuclear Fuel Complex is set up at Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.
|
119
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May 1968: Uranium Mill at Jaduguda with a capacity of 1,000 TPD commences commercial production of Magnesium diuranate (yellow cake). Jaduguda Mine Shaft is commissioned in November 1968.
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120
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October 4, 1967: Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) is established with head quarters at Jaduguda Mines in Jharkhand (then Bihar).
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121
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June 1, 1967: Power Projects Engineering Division (PPED), Mumbai is formed. The Division is subsequently converted to Nuclear Power Board on August 17, 1984.
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122
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April 11, 1967: Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) is set up at Hyderabad for producing electronic systems, instruments and components.
|
123
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January 22, 1967: AEET is named as Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
|
124
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January 22, 1965: Plutonium Plant is inaugurated at Trombay.
|
125
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1965: IRE takes over operation of Mineral Processing Unit at Manavalakurichi in Tamil Nadu and at Chavara in Kerala.
|
126
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January 14, 1961: Research Reactor ZERLINA attains criticality. (It is decommissioned in 1983).
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127
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July 10, 1960: CIRUS – the 40 MWt research reactor attains criticality. After its successful refurbishment, the reactor was dedicated to the Nation on October 31, 2002.
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128
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February 19, 1960: First lot of 10 Fuel Elements for CIRUS reactor is fabricated at Trombay.
|
129
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January 30, 1959: Uranium Metal Plant at Trombay produces Uranium.
|
130
|
August 19, 1957: AEET Training School starts functioning at Trombay.
|
131
|
January 20, 1957: Atomic Energy Establishment, Trombay (AEET) is inaugurated.
|
132
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August 04, 1956: APSARA - first research reactor in Asia, attains criticality at Trombay, Mumbai.
|
133
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1956: AMD discovers uranium mineralization at Umra, Rajasthan.
|
134
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August 01, 1955: Thorium Plant at Trombay goes into production. Thorium Plant at Trombay is closed.
|
135
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August 03, 1954: Department of Atomic Energy is created.
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136
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December 24, 1952: Rare Earths Plant of IRE at Alwaye, Kerala, is dedicated to the nation and production of Rare Earths & Thorium – Uranium concentrate commences.
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137
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April 1951: Uranium Deposit at Jaduguda is discovered by AMD. Drilling operations commence in December 1951.
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138
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August 18, 1950: Indian Rare Earths Limited (IRE) owned by the Government of India and Government of Travancore, Cochine, is set up for recovering minerals, processing of rare earths compounds and Thorium - Uranium concentrates. In 1963, IRE becomes a full-fledged government undertaking under DAE
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139
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July 29, 1949: Rare Minerals Survey Unit brought under Atomic Energy Commission and named as ‘Raw Materials Division’ (RMD) with Headquarters at New Delhi. In 1958, this unit becomes Atomic Minerals Division (AMD) and later in 1974 shifts to Hyderabad. It is renamed as Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD) on July 29, 1998.
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140
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August 10, 1948: Atomic Energy Commission is constituted.
|
141
|
April 15, 1948: Atomic Energy Act is passed
|
142
|
December 19, 1945: Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Mumbai is inaugurated.
|
143
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March 12, 1944: Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha writes to Sir Dorabji Tata Trust for starting Nuclear Research in India
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Heavy water plants in India:-
| Heavy Water Board (HWB), a constituent unit under Department of Atomic Energy in the Government of India is primarily responsible for production of Heavy Water (D2O) which is used as a 'moderator' and 'Coolant' in nuclear power as well as research reactors.[ India is one of the largest manufacturers of heavy water in the world. | |
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Experiments in AHWR Critical Facility
An Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) is designed in BARC to demonstrate commercial utilisation of thorium. Critical facility is a specially designed research reactor to experimentally verify the basic physics design parameters of AHWR and other advanced fuel cycle.
Experiments performed
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Indian research reactors
Apsara Research Reactor
Apsara is the oldest of India's research reactors. The reactor was designed by the Bhabha Atomic research Center (BARC) and built with assistance from the United Kingdom (which also provided the initial fuel supply consisting of 80 percent enriched uranium). Apsara first went critical on 4 August 1956. Apsara is a light water swimming pool-type reactor with a maximum power output of one megawatt thermal (MWt). The reactor burns enriched uranium in the form of aluminum alloyed curved plates. Fuel for the reactor is supplied under contract from the United Kingdom, provided that the fuel is safeguarded. The reactor itself is not under International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards. The Apsara reactor is utilized for various experiments including neutron activation analysis, radiation damage studies, forensic research, neutron radiography, and shielding experiments. The reactor is also used for research and the production of radioisotopes. After nearly half a century of operation, BARC plans to refurbish and modify the aging reactor to test a new indigenous design of a 5-10MWt research reactor.
Zerlina
India's third research reactor, Zerlina, reached criticality on 14 January 1961. This zero-energy experimental reactor was indigenously built but used U.S.-supplied heavy water as a moderator and coolant. Zerlina was used for studies of the spatial arrangement of fissionable and nonfissionable materials in uranium heavy water reactors
Dhruva
The Dhruva reactor is India's largest research reactor and primary source of weapons-grade plutonium. Originally named the R-5, this Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) first went critical on 8 August 1985 after 10 years of construction. Designed as a larger version of the CIRUS reactor, Dhruva was an indigenous project built to provide an independent source of weapons-grade plutonium free from safeguards. The Dhruva project cost 950 million rupees. The reactor uses heavy water (deuterium) as a moderator and coolant. Aluminum clad fuel rods containing natural uranium are burned to obtain a maximum power output of 100MW. At the time of the reactor's construction, India still had limited amounts of indigenously produced heavy water. The initial heavy water load was likely acquired through clandestine imports from China, Norway, and the Soviet Union through a German intermediary, although Indian officials have denied these allegations. After obtaining criticality, BARC had technical problems with the operation of Dhruva. The reactor was shutdown due to vibration problems that caused 4 metric tons of heavy water to overflow from the reactor core. The vibrations were caused by the high pressure flow of heavy water through the aluminum clad fuel assemblies. After analysis of the vibration problems and modification of the fuel design, the Dhruva reactor resumed limited operation January 1987. On 17 January 1988, Dhruva finally attained its full power of 100MW. Today, Dhruva serves as the primary source of spent fuel, which is reprocessed to obtain weapons-grade plutonium. It is estimated that the Dhruva reactor is capable of producing about 20-25kg of plutonium annually.Safety standards at BARC have come under question after the revelation in 1991 that Dhruva was operated for nearly a month with a malfunctioning emergency coolant system. Also in October 1989, a reactor technician was accidentally locked inside a shielded room at Dhruva. The technician saved his life only by repeatedly shutting off the coolant pump to the reactor, causing the reactor to repeatedly shut down. The technician was found by chance an hour after the incident.
Cirus
The CIRUS research reactor at Trombay went critical on 10 July 1960, making it the second oldest reactor in India. It is modeled on the Canadian Chalk River National Research X-perimental (NRX) reactor. The 40MWt reactor burns natural uranium fuel, while using heavy water (deuterium) as a moderator.
Purnima-1,2,3
The Purnima reactor is a series of critical assemblies built to study neutron behavior in fission and the use of U-233 as a fuel. The Atomic Energy Commission approved the Purnima project in 1969. Construction began in 1970 and Purnima-I obtained criticality on the 18 May 1972. This small, tank-type, fast neutron reactor used 21.6kg of Pu-239 in the form of plutonium-oxide pellets to produce a nominal power output of 1 watt. As a pulsed fast reactor, Purnima-I operated on much the same principles as a rudimentary fission bomb. This gave BARC scientists benchmark calculations on the behavior of a chain-reacting plutonium system and the kinetic behavior of the system just above criticality. These calculations were used to determine the optimum explosive power and the neutron trigger of future bombs. Purnima-I operated until 1974 when it was decommissioned and renovated to produce Purnima-II, a homogenous tank-type critical assembly. This critical assembly burned a 400 gram, uranium-233-nitrate solution as fuel, producing a nominal power of 10 watts. Purnima-II first reached criticality on 10 May 1984. The critical assembly was used to study the use of U-233 as a fuel for future reactor designs. It was decommissioned and renovated to produce Purnima-III, which first obtained criticality on 9 November 1990. The critical assembly is fuelled by uranium-233 plates clad in aluminum weighing a total of 600 grams. It produced a maximum power output of 1 watt. Light water served as the coolant and moderator while the control rods consisted of cadmium. Purnima-III was used as a mockup for the Kamini reactor at the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR).Kamini
The Purnima reactor is a series of critical assemblies built to study neutron behavior in fission and the use of U-233 as a fuel. The Atomic Energy Commission approved the Purnima project in 1969. Construction began in 1970 and Purnima-I obtained criticality on the 18 May 1972. This small, tank-type, fast neutron reactor used 21.6kg of Pu-239 in the form of plutonium-oxide pellets to produce a nominal power output of 1 watt. As a pulsed fast reactor, Purnima-I operated on much the same principles as a rudimentary fission bomb. This gave BARC scientists benchmark calculations on the behavior of a chain-reacting plutonium system and the kinetic behavior of the system just above criticality. These calculations were used to determine the optimum explosive power and the neutron trigger of future bombs. Purnima-I operated until 1974 when it was decommissioned and renovated to produce Purnima-II, a homogenous tank-type critical assembly. This critical assembly burned a 400 gram, uranium-233-nitrate solution as fuel, producing a nominal power of 10 watts. Purnima-II first reached criticality on 10 May 1984. The critical assembly was used to study the use of U-233 as a fuel for future reactor designs. It was decommissioned and renovated to produce Purnima-III, which first obtained criticality on 9 November 1990. The critical assembly is fuelled by uranium-233 plates clad in aluminum weighing a total of 600 grams. It produced a maximum power output of 1 watt. Light water served as the coolant and moderator while the control rods consisted of cadmium. Purnima-III was used as a mockup for the Kamini reactor at the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR).
Nuclear Tests:
“Geo Engineering applications”,A study project in this direction was approved prime minister Lal Bahadur Sastry in december 1964.Which finally led to the Peaceful Nuclear Experiment(PNE) on May 18,1974 at Pokhran in Thar desert of Rajasthan.Name of the test was “Buddha smiles”
Pokhran-IIwas the series of five nuclear bomb test explosions. It consisted of five detonations, of which the first was a fusion bomb and the remaining four were fission bombs.
Another core member of the team that carried out five tests and then chairman of Atomic Energy Commission R Chidambaram reminisced, saying, "We recall the pleasure and excitement of May 11, 1998. It was just a coincidence that this day too, was Buddha Purnima (just like the day on first test at Pokhran in 1974)."
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre had presented Kalam with a memento of a banyan tree bonsai which had a statue of a smiling Buddha under it. "The Buddha has smiled" was the code used by scientists in 1974 to declare that the nuclear test has been successful.
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