Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life (ANEEL)
13 Jan, 2025
India’s NTPC Limited signed a strategic pact with US-based Clean Core Thorium Energy (CCTE) to explore development and deployment of ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life)
About ANEEL
· It is a revolutionary nuclear fuel developed by Clean Core Thorium Energy, a US-based company.
· This innovative fuel combines thorium with high-assay low-enriched uranium (HALEU).
Key Benefits of ANEEL
Improved Safety: ANEEL fuel has a higher melting point and lower internal operating temperature, reducing the risk of core meltdown.
Reduced Waste: The higher fuel burnup achievable with ANEEL results in significantly less waste generation.
Proliferation Resistance: The spent ANEEL fuel is denatured, making it unsuitable for weapons production.
Abundant Fuel Source: Thorium is more abundant than uranium, with India possessing the world's largest reserves, estimated at 1.07 million tonnes ².
Cost-Effective: ANEEL fuel can be used in existing Pressurized Heavy-Water Reactors (PHWRs), minimizing costs and regulatory hurdles.
Benefits for India
· India has the world's largest reserves of thorium in the world (11.93 million tonnes of Monazite, containing 1.07 million tonnes of thorium), which can be used to produce ANEEL fuel, reducing reliance on imported uranium.
· ANEEL fuel can help India reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and promote a diversified energy mix
· Nuclear power generation using ANEEL fuel can help India reduce its carbon footprint and meet its climate change commitments.
· The development and deployment of ANEEL fuel can create new job opportunities in the nuclear energy sector.
· India's leadership in the development and deployment of ANEEL fuel can increase its global influence in the field of nuclear energy.
· The adoption of ANEEL fuel can drive the development of indigenous nuclear technology in India.
About Thorium
· Thorium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal.
· Thorium exists in nature in a single isotopic form – Th-232 – which decays very slowly.
· Most common source of thorium is Monazite, whose richest concentrations are found in placer deposits.
· Thorium (Th-232) is not itself fissile and so is not directly usable in a thermal neutron reactor.
· It requires a fissile material such as Uranium-233 or Plutonium-239 as a driver for chain reaction.
India’s Nuclear Programme
India has three-stage nuclear program which is a strategic plan to utilize the country's nuclear resources to generate electricity and achieve energy independence.
Stage 1: Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs)
Fuel: Natural uranium
Reactor type: PHWRs
Objective: Generate electricity and produce plutonium-239 as a byproduct
Current status: 23 operational PHWRs with a total capacity of 7,380 MW
Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs)
Fuel: Plutonium-239 (bred from uranium-238 in PHWRs)
Reactor type: FBRs
Objective: Generate electricity and produce more plutonium-239 than consumed
Current status: One operational FBR (Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor) with a capacity of 500 MW; more FBRs are planned
Stage 3: Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs) and Thorium-Based Reactors
Fuel: Thorium-232 (abundant in India)
Reactor type: AHWRs and thorium-based reactors
Objective: Generate electricity using thorium, reducing dependence on uranium and minimizing nuclear waste
Current status: AHWR design is complete; construction is expected to begin soon. Thorium-based reactor designs are under development.
The three-stage program aims to utilize India's vast thorium reserves to generate electricity, reduce dependence on uranium, and minimize nuclear waste.
Nuclear Research and Development
1. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): BARC is India's premier nuclear research and development institution, responsible for the development of nuclear reactors, fuel cycles, and waste management technologies.
2. Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR): IGCAR is a research and development institution focused on the development of fast breeder reactor technology.
3. Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT): RRCAT is a research and development institution focused on the development of advanced nuclear technologies, including laser-based uranium enrichment.
4. Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB): AERB is the primary regulatory body responsible for ensuring nuclear safety and radiation protection in India.
5. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): India is a member of the IAEA and cooperates with the agency on various nuclear-related issues, including safety, security, and non-proliferation.
6. Bilateral Cooperation: India has bilateral nuclear cooperation agreements with several countries, including the United States, France, Russia, and Canada.
7. Non-Proliferation: India is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and has a strong commitment to non-proliferation and disarmament.
