Physics:Dhruva reactor
The Dhruva reactor is India 's largest nuclear research reactor. It was the first nuclear reactor in Asia proper.[1] Located in the Mumbai suburb of Trombay at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), it is India's primary generator of weapons-grade plutonium-bearing spent fuel for its nuclear weapons program. Originally named the R-5, this open pool reactor first went critical on 8 August 1985 after 10 years of construction. However, the unit did not attain full power until 1988.[2] The reactor experienced at least one serious accident when 4 metric tons (3.9 long tons) of heavy water overflowed from the reactor core in 1985 following vibration problems.[3]
Designed as a larger version of the CIRUS reactor, Dhruva was an Indian designed project built to provide an independent source of weapons-grade plutonium free from safeguards.[4] 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 used to obtain a maximum thermal power output of 100 megawatts.[3] The reactor can produce 20–25 kilograms (44–55 lb) of weapons-grade plutonium per year.[5] [6]
Dhruva, in Indian mythology, is a prince blessed to eternal existence and glory as the Pole Star by Vishnu. It can also mean 'immovable' in Sanskrit.[7]
See also
- N. S. Satya Murthy
- India and weapons of mass destruction
References
- ↑ "Indian Nuclear Energy Program". Central Intelligence Agency. 26 March 1958. https://nsarchive2.gwu.edu//NSAEBB/NSAEBB187/IN01.pdf. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ↑ Andrew Koch (1999). "Selected Indian Nuclear Facilities". http://cns.miis.edu/research/india/nuclear.htm.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Dhruva Research Reactor". http://www.nti.org/learn/facilities/837/. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ↑ Menon, Amarnath K (3 January 2014). "Indian scientists achieve major landmark in atomic energy programme with Dhruva". India Today. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/indian-scientists-achieve-major-landmark-in-atomic-energy-programme-with-dhruva/1/354434.html. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
- ↑ Albright, David; Hibbs, Mark (31 August 1992). "India's Silent Bomb". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. https://books.google.com/books?id=pAwAAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA27.
- ↑ Sidhu, Waheguru Pal Singh (2013) (in en). Enhancing Indo-US Strategic Cooperation (2nd ed.). Abingdon: Routledge. p. 22. ISBN 978-1-136-04608-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=bRQHjOslWeIC&pg=PA22.
- ↑ Vinay, Dr (2006) (in en). Linga Purana. Diamond Pocket Books. p. 41. ISBN 9788128806797. https://books.google.com/books?id=zhIbyxoxHMgC&pg=PA41.
External links
- David Albright (7 May 2005). "India's Military Plutonium Inventory, End 2004". ISIS. http://ecolo.org/documents/documents_in_english/india_military_pluto-05.pdf.
 |  |
