THE PRIEST

Thorium plays a pivotal role in Indian Nuclear power programme. Right from the inception of Indian nuclear power programme, work has been carried out on various aspects of thorium utilisation-mining and extraction of thorium, fuel fabrication, irradiation in reactors, reprocessing and refabrication. In addition, studies have been carried out regarding use of thorium in different types of reactors. Details of Research Programme: (i) Thorium fuel fabrication through powder pellet route has been well established. Few tons of fuel have been made for CIRUS and Dhruva, Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) and for blanket assemblies for Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). Few pins have been fabricated using mixed oxides of (Th-Pu) for irradiation in research reactors. (ii) Thoria bundles are used in the initial cores of PHWR. The irradiation experience of thoria fuel in the research reactors CIRUS and Dhruva, PHWR and test irradiations are satisfactory. (iii) The thoria pins of CIRUS have bee...

BARC’s NISARG-RUNA plant for solid waste management offers a “Zero garbage, Zero effluent”method for waste management. A conventional plant can handle only gobar & / or human waste. NISARG-RUNA plant can process almost any biodegradable waste including kitchen waste, paper, grass, gobar, dry leaves etc. There is a good potential for energy generation in this biphasic biomethanation plant. A substantial portion of our biodegradable waste is food waste (38-40%) which is used to generate methane. This methane gas can be used as fuel for domestic purposes or in vehicles. The vegetable and paper waste yield manure. Manure obtained from such waste has high nitrogen contents. This manure acts as an excellent soil conditioner. The plant returns as organic manure that is 10% of the total waste processed. It is weedfree and does not have any offensive smell.