The Hindu : Front Page : DAE exhibition at Vienna focuses on thorium use

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DAE exhibition at Vienna focuses on thorium use

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: A pavilion organised by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) at Vienna, Austria, from September 29 to October 4, 2008, with a focus on using thorium for large-scale, world-wide generation of nuclear electricity was a star attraction, according to S.K. Malhotra, Head, Environment and Public Awareness Division, DAE.

The pavilion was put up during the 52nd annual general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Mohamed ElBaradei, Director General, IAEA, who visited it along with Anil Kakodkar, Secretary, DAE, appreciated India’s efforts in harnessing thorium for generation of electricity, Mr. Malhotra said.

Several countries put up exhibitions on general themes of nuclear energy but India’s exhibition on a specific theme drew attention. India has huge reserves of thorium in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The DAE plans to start construction of a novel reactor called the Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR), which will generate 300 MWe, using thorium and uranium-233 as fuel.

“What we proposed through this exhibition was that a nuclear fuel cycle based on thorium will address both the concerns and this is due to its neutronic and material properties,” Mr. Malhotra said. Thorium could be introduced in different types of reactors such us Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors, Light Water Reactors, Boiling Water Reactors and AHWRs.

R.K. Sinha. Director, Reactor Design and Development Group, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, gave a presentation on October 3 in Vienna on “Extending the global reach of nuclear energy through thorium.”

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