READIT-2007 - Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research

Knowledge Sharing Environment
(1) By getting into an organisation’s CULTURE (values and behaviours) in
otherwords identifying the ‘core-values’ of an organization [3]:
i) making EXCELLENCE through Innovation, Learning continuously
so as to expertise and Agility in adopting and moving fast with
flexibility and decisiveness.
ii) building TEAMWORK through Relationship, Respecting each other
for their diverse cultures and Sharing knowledge, experience,
resources and opportunities.
iii) building LEADERSHIP with Courage, Vision and Integrity.
(2) By Adopting PROCESS/STRUCTURES of an organization effectively
and constantly changing its course for value addition. This knowledge on
structural characteristics and procedures are shared.
(3) Using appropriate TECHNOLOGY. Technology should be seen as a
manifestation of culture, rather than as some kind of opposing force.
3. FAST REACTOR DEVELOPMENT - GLOBAL SCENARIO
Owing to two main reasons, viz. (i) emission of greenhouse gas effect to the
atmosphere is very minimum, and (ii) cost of electricity generation through FBRs is very
competitive, people’s acceptance to nuclear energy for electricity generation, especially
on fast breeder reactors, is very much encouraging on high safety regulations and
stringent licensing procedures followed on the development of fast reactors.
Early 1960’s witnessed many countries undertaking important fast breeder reactor
development programs. Constructions and successful operations of such reactors were
undertaken in a number of countries, including Rapsodie (France), KNK-II (Germany),
FBTR (India), Joyo (Japan), DFR (UK), BR-10 and BR-60 (Russia) and EBR-II, Fermi,
FFTF (USA).
Consequently commercial size prototypes like, Phenix, Superphenix (France),
SNR-300 (Germany), MONJU (Japan), PFR(UK), BN-350 (Kazakhstan), BN-600
(Russia), PFBR(India), are either just under construction coming on line, or experiencing
long-term operation[4].
4. INITIATIVES ON FAST REACTOR KNOWLEDGE PRESERVATION
Fast reactor development programmes were at peak by 1980 when the countries
started operating their demonstrative type fast reactors. And then they started commercial
prototype reactors. From this time onwards, fast reactor development in general began to
decline. By 1994 in the USA, the Clinch River Breeder Reactor (CRBR) had been
cancelled and the two fast reactor test facilities, FFTF and EBR-II had been shutdown –
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