Nuclear Energy - GS questions based on daily current affairs

1)   The largest operating hybrid nuclear desalination plant in the world is located at

a. Mumbai
b. Kudankullam
c. Kalpakkam
d. Chennai
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kalpakkam

Explanation:
The Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Project (NDDP) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu is the largest operating hybrid nuclear desalination plant in the world.

Desalination of seawater is possible by using Thermal Desalination Technology and/or Membrane Technology like Reverse Osmosis (RO).

Thermal and/or Electrical energy from Atomic Power Station or Nuclear Research Reactor/s can be used for this purpose.

A total of 63 lakh litres per day capacity seawater desalination plant has been setup as Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Project (NDDP) at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu and is under regular operation producing 45 lakh litres of water per day by Thermal Desalination process, drawing nuclear low pressure steam from the existing and operating Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS).

Also, 18 lakh litres of water per day is being produced using membrane based technology using grid electrical energy of MAPS. The sea water desalination plant set up at Kalpakkam is a demonstration plant.

The plant produces dual quality of water – water for high-end industrial applications of quality less than 10 mg per litre of TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) and potable water of less than 500 mg per litre of TDS for drinking and other applications.


2)   Which of the following pair/s is/are wrong?

1. France - Areva S.A
2. Canada - Cameco
3. US - Atomstroyexport


a. 2 and 3
b. 1 and 2
c. Only 3
d. None
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Only 3

Explanation:
- French state-controlled nuclear engineering firm Areva S.A. and Indian state-owned nuclear operator Nuclear Power Corporation of India signed agreement to build Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project.
- Cameco, Canada signed a uranium supply contract with India after the nuclear cooperation agreement between Canada and India came into force.
- Atomstroyexport JSC is Russian company which has successfully constructed Kudankulam NPP with two power units with reactor plants.


3)   Match the following

1. First stage-------------- i. Effective utilization of plutonium in Fast Breeder Reactors.
2. Second stage--------- ii. Setting up of pressurized heavy water reactors
3. Third stage------------ iii. Use of a Thorium as fuel.


a. 1-i, 2-iii, 3-ii
b. 1-ii, 2-iii, 3-i
c. 1-i, 2-ii, 3-iii
d. 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iii
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 1-ii, 2-i, 3-iii

Explanation:
India's three-stage nuclear power programme was formulated by Dr. Homi Bhabha in the 1950s to secure the country’s long term energy independence, through the use of uranium and thorium reserves found in the monazite sands of coastal regions of South India.


4)   Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research is located at



a. Kudankulam
b. Kalpakkam
c. Kakrapar
d. Kaiga
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Kalpakkam

Explanation:
The Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is one of India's premier nuclear research centre. The centre is engaged in a broad-based multidisciplinary programme of scientific research and advanced engineering directed towards the development of Fast Breeder Reactor technology. The Reactor Research Centre set up at Kalpakkam in 1971 under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) was renamed Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in 1985.


5)   Which of the following is true about Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor?

1. It uses Lead-cooled fast reactor.
2. It will use plutonium-uranium oxide as fuel.
3. It is part of the three-stage nuclear power program.


a. 1,2
b. 2,3
c. 1,3
d. All of the above
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: 2,3

Explanation:
Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor is being developed at Kalpakkam will be commissioned in September. The Kalpakkam PFBR is using uranium-238 not thorium, to breed new fissile material, in a sodium-cooled fast reactor design.


6)   In which Indian state Kovada, proposed Nuclear Project located?

a. Tamil Nadu
b. Karnataka
c. Haryana
d. Andhra Pradesh
Answer  Explanation 

ANSWER: Andhra Pradesh

Explanation:
Kovada site to build a nuclear project with the assistance of GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy in Andhra Pradesh.