Scientists celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Pokhran-II

May 11 marked the 10th anniversary of the Pokhran nuclear weapons tests. The celebrations were at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai. Former President of India, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was the Chief Guest on the occasion. It was time to rejoice the memories of the successful nuclear tests at Pokhran on May 11 and 13, 1998. Former Chiefs of Atomic Energy were present on the occasion. Just to remind the readers, India’s first successful nuke test was on May 18, 1974 at Pokhran on a Buddha Purnima Day. The celebration of the Pokhran day perhaps indicates that the option of nuclear tests, particularly hydrogen bomb tests (as suggested by one of the former AEC Chiefs) is still alive.

The capability of India in this field is now well established and India need not prove this to other countries. As per the present AEC Chairman, a moratorium was declared by the government in view of the fact that the tests of Pokhran II have generated enough data and a lot of advances had been made in simulation technology.

In view of the constraints of the on-going Indo-US nuclear deal deliberations, the option of nuclear tests in the future should not be surrendered. India needs to continue the nuclear-confidence building measures keeping China’s threat in mind. India should build up enough capabilities to deter a nuclear attack on its commercial and strategic assets. The recent successful launch of Agni III is in the right direction. India, due to acute shortage of uranium for its nuclear power reactors, needs US support for fuel, as a short term measure. In the long term, US may need India’s support in sustaining nuclear power worldwide via thorium fuel cycle capabilities.

Indo-US nuclear deal in deep freeze?

The stalled Indo-US nuclear deal is more of a problem of politics. It is reported that the safeguards agreement with the IAEA is yet to be finalized. The UPA government seems to be yielding to the pressure from Left parties. It is unfortunate that India could still remain in nuclear isolation from the 35 member Nuclear Suppliers Group.

India is one of the very few countries which has mastered all the nuclear fuel cycle operations, starting from mining for uranium to reactor operations, waste management and recycle the un-spent uranium, or the by-product plutonium as fuel in breeder reactors or thorium fuel cycle operations. The nuclear-fuel bank, as a part of the US-sponsored Global Nuclear Energy Partnership proposed by the IAEA Chief, Mohammed El Baradei in the year 2006 is much relevance to India once the nuclear deal is through.

The changed political scenario in our neighboring country is of great concern. National security is of prime concern rather than yielding to the political blackmail by the left parties. Pakistan’s new government, after assuming the office last, test-fires nuke-missiles, Shaheen-ll with a reach of 2,000 km. It is capable of hitting targets deep inside the country. Any deal should take into consideration the security requirements of the country before finally operationalising it. India should never give-up its rights to have nuclear tests as and when it is required.

Radioactivity release in Spain

A small amount of radioactive metal particles were escaped from the nuclear fuel building of Ascó's (Spain) first pressurized water reactor (NPP) unit through ventilation ducts and were detected by nearby monitors on 4 April 2008. It is reported that 95% of the particles were deposited close to the point of emission.

A study into the root cause of the incident and its sequence of events has now been concluded. Results of laboratory measurements released today indicate that the total activity of the discharged particles was 0.0023 curies (84.95 MBq).

CSN said that the emission has been insignificant and radiological impact of the release 'remains very low', below the legal dose limit for plant workers. There was no effect, off site. Internal monitoring showed 'no evidence in any case of incorporation of radioactive material'. The incident has been classified at Level 2 on the International Nuclear Event Scale (INES) by the country's nuclear regulator (CSN).

Gas leak in Pakistan nuke complex kills two

A gas leak at the heavy water research reactor complex at Khushab in Punjab on Tuesday killed two workers but there was no threat to the public as the situation was immediately brought under control, the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) authorities said. The government clarified that the explosion occurred in the Heavy Water Plant and not in the nuclear plant. The leak occurred at province at 2.30 pm (local time). It was immediately evacuated. However, two workers lost their lives while controlling the incident. The leak was controlled by the plant's safety and fire protection division.

The PAEC said orders had been issued for an inquiry to find out the causes of the incident. The Khushab plant, built with Chinese assistance, is reported to be not under IAEA safeguards. The reactor had been shut down for annual maintenance.

Indo-US deal is in India’s interest

It is now a well known fact that India has short-supply of uranium for its existing nuclear power reactors which use uranium as the fuel. The Nuclear Power Corporation has openly declared that due to the shortage of uranium the existing reactors are working at 50% of their capacities. India’s third stage of nuclear power program envisages the thorium-bred U-233 reactors. Of course, India has plenty of thorium on its vast sea-shorelines in the south. Even for these proposed third-stage reactors, India needs plutonium, which is an important by-product in the uranium-fueled reactors. Plutonium is also required for strategic applications.

India needs satisfactory completion of the on-going nuclear deal with the US. India gets uranium in plenty and may be cheaper than the home production. The existing reactors will work at full capacity, will have enough plutonium for future reactors and will be able to get the necessary hi-tech components from the international market. Global warming scenario is also supporting clean and green nuclear power.

Irrespective of the government at the centre (UPA or NDA), India should be able to generate at least 10% of the total power generated through nuclear route by 2020. That will be the greatest achievement of the Indian nuclear Industry and a great tribute to Homi Bhabha. Looks like a tall order!

Is nuclear energy toxic?

This is in response to an article entitled “Nuclear energy is toxic” appeared in one of the popular newspapers in India recently.

1. To begin with, the title itself is not correct. There is nothing toxic about any energy, by any definitions. As the old saying goes, half knowledge is more dangerous than lack of knowledge.
2. Operation of any electricity generating systems generates waste products or by-products of different kinds. Nothing special about nuclear energy. In the nuclear reactors, in addition to the fission product waste, small amount of plutonium is also generated by one of the nuclear reactions. This plutonium is toxic and is handled only in leak-tight containment systems. The material is very useful as a reactor fuel and also can be used in nuclear weapons.
3. Nuclear weapon technology is different than nuclear power technology. Nuclear reactors can not explode like a nuclear bomb.
4. By operating nuclear reactors, fission reaction takes place in the nuclear fuel. Generally nuclear fuel can be uranium, enriched uranium or plutonium or combination of uranium and plutonium. The fission reactions generate heat in the fuel and this heat is taken out using coolant system designed around the fuel to produce steam to run the turbines and produce electricity.
5. The so-called control rods are used to control the chain reaction by absorbing excess neutrons released in the fuel system.
6. Unlike other thermal power plants, nuclear reactors release very low levels of radioactivity and all the releases are accounted for and well controlled by regulatory authorities.
7. Regarding the carcinogenic part of plutonium, there are hundreds of carcinogenic chemicals in the environment, at levels much higher than the permissible limits. The most common carcinogenic materials to which we are exposed are: cigarette smoke, alcohol, silica dust and automobile exhausts. Plutonium release from nuclear facilities is virtually ruled out during normal operations.
8. One should also remember that cancer is an old age disease, and is seen after a long latent period of over 30 years. The background radiation for which we are all exposed also can also cancer. Threshold is not assumed for any carcinogens as a matter of abundant caution.
9. Unlike in fossil fuel based power plants, the nuclear waste generated in nuclear power plants is small in quantity, and hence easily manageable. Indian nuclear establishments are currently using the well-established waste management technology to vitrify the radioactive waste and store it safely in well-designed facilities for any number of years without contaminating the environment.
10. Nuclear technology is not only American patent. India, over the years has mastered all aspects of the nuclear technology and is one of the world leaders in this hi-tech industry.

For more info see: www.radsafetyinfo.com

International Atomic Energy Agency’s Nuclear Dilemma

The History of nuclear beginning – destructive horror of nuclear weapon demonstrated in 1945 over Japan) – is very painful and can not be forgotten. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was created, in the spirit of “Atoms for Peace” in the year 1957 under the shadow of cold war between the then USSR and USA. The IAEA is the intergovernmental organization within the United Nations system and it contributes to global peace, development, and security in essential ways – helping to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, and fostering safe, secure and peaceful uses of beneficial nuclear technologies for human development. Eighteen ratifications were required to bring the IAEA’s Statute into force. India was one of the countries which contributed for the cause. The total membership as of March 2007 stands at 144. The IAEA programs are managed by the 35-member Board of Governors and the General Conference of all the member countries. In short, the IAEA is the hub for all national, regional and international cooperation in the nuclear activities.

Its mission is to manage the nuclear dilemma. As regards to its nuclear-weapon related part of the mission, the IAEA, through negotiations could come out with the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) to benefit the countries with the access to peaceful nuclear technology with a condition that the benefited country will not develop nuclear weapons. Claiming the Treaty is discriminatory, three countries, viz., India, Pakistan and Israel have not signed the Treaty. North Korea signed earlier and the withdrawn from the Treaty in 2003.

Broadly, the IAEA covers the three main aspects of its mission: Atoms for Peace.

i) Safeguards and Verification: Forging safeguards agreements with the countries for inspection of peaceful nature of nuclear materials and activities,
ii) Safety and security: Establishment of safety related documents, and help the countries to apply the same, and
iii) Science and Technology: Provide technical and research support for nuclear applications in health, agriculture, energy, environment and other allied fields.
India has been a very responsible country which pursued peaceful applications in almost all the spheres, including nuclear power and healthcare. It also contributed significantly, nationally and internationally, for the IAEA’s mission – Atoms for Peace. At present, India is in dialogue with the IAEA with respect to the country-specific safeguards (since India is not a NPT signatory) as the prerequisite for operationalising the Indo-US nuclear deal.