III. By transmutation, Thorium creates fissile Uranium-233 for Stage III. Which is/are correct?

Question

In India three-stage nuclear program, the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) is important because:

I. It uses uranium-238 to breed plutonium in a sodium-cooled fast reactor.

II. Thorium-232, though not fissile, is proposed as a blanket material.

III. By transmutation, Thorium creates fissile Uranium-233 for Stage III. Which is/are correct?

1. A. I and II only
2. B. I and III only
3. C. II and III only
4. D. I, II and III (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — I, II and III

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is I, II and III.

Key Points

• All three statements correctly describe PFBR role in India three-stage nuclear programme.
• PFBR breeds Pu from U-238 (Stage II), uses Th-232 as blanket, and the Th->U-233 cycle powers Stage III.