UPSC Prelims 2006 Q28: Science & Technology – Energy & Environment

UPSC Prelims 2006, General Studies Paper I · Science & Technology

In which one of the following areas did the Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research make significant progress in the year 2005?

(a) Re - processing the uranium - plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor
(b) New applications of radio - isotopes in metallurgy
(c) A new technology for production of heavy water
(d) A new technology for high - level nuclear waste management

Answer: (a) Re - processing the uranium - plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor

Explanation

IGCAR's 2005 progress

The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, works on fast reactors and the fuel cycle.

Option	Verdict
Reprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor	Yes: the CORAL facility reprocessed this unique FBTR fuel
New radio-isotope applications in metallurgy	No, not IGCAR's highlight
New heavy water technology	No, handled by the Heavy Water Board
High-level waste management technology	No, not the 2005 highlight

Answer: (a) Re-processing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.

(a) CORRECT. IGCAR made progress in reprocessing the FBTR's mixed carbide fuel at its CORAL facility.
(b) Incorrect. New radio-isotope applications in metallurgy were not IGCAR's 2005 highlight.
(c) Incorrect. Heavy water production technology is a Heavy Water Board activity.
(d) Incorrect. High-level waste management was not the progress highlighted for IGCAR in 2005.

IGCAR progressed in reprocessing the uranium-plutonium mixed carbide fuel of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.

IGCAR 2005: reprocessing FBTR mixed carbide fuel.

IGCAR = fast reactors (FBTR, PFBR) and fuel reprocessing at Kalpakkam.