The Advanced Fuel Fabrication Facility (AFFF) is located in Tarapur and falls under the direction of the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC). Its primary responsibility is producing mixed oxide (MOX) fuel bundles for the boiling water reactors (BWRs) at the Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS). The MOX fuel pellets fabricated by AFFF contain oxides of natural uranium U-233 and plutonium. In addition to fuel bundles for TAPS, the AFFF has produced fuel pin welds for pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs).

According the Department of Atomic Energy's (Government of India) 2001-2002 Annual Report, the AFFF is currently being upgraded to allow for the production of plutonium-uranium fuel pellets for the upcoming Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR). In addition to a Sol-gel facility for preparing microspheres, a new rotary press, batch sintering furnace, and an oven have been added to the AFFF for the fabrication of PFBR MOX fuel.

Sources:
[1] DAE (Government of India), "Annual Report 2001-2002," Executive Summary available at www.dae.gov.in.
[2] "ISNT Chapters," Indian Society for Nondestructive Testing (ISNT), www.isnt.org.
[3] "Quality Evaluation of PHWR Fuel Element End Cap Weld Joints by Ultrasonic Testing Technique," The e-Journal of Nondestructive Testing (NDT), 1996, www.ndt.net.
[4] "Newsletter N° 20 (Cadarache Special)," Plutonium Investigation, www.wise-paris.org.
[5] "Nuclear Fuel Cycle," Department of Atomic Energy (Government of India), www.dae.gov.in.
[6] "Nuclear Fuel Fabrication," Embassy of India, Cairo, www.india-emb.org.eg.
[7] T.S. Subramanian, "A record of achievements," Frontline Online Edition, Vol. 19, Issue 6, 16-29 March 2002, www.frontlineonnet.com.