World’s First Nuclear Process Heat-Based Hydrogen Production Facility Context: The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has inaugurated the world’s first hydrogen production facility that uses nuclear process heat from a Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR). The pilot plant is located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu. The initiative marks a significant step in using nuclear energy for clean hydrogen production, in addition to electricity generation. Key Highlights It uses process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), India's only operational fast reactor research facility. The project expands India’s three-stage nuclear power programme into the field of low-carbon hydrogen production. Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) Thermochemical Cycle The pilot plant produces hydrogen using the Copper-Chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle. It is a thermochemical water-splitting process that: Uses high-temperature heat instead of electricity. Splits water into hydrogen and oxygen through a sequence of chemical reactions involving copper and chlorine compounds. It is considered an alternative to electrolysis, reducing electricity requirements. The heat required for this process is supplied by the 40 MWth Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). This is a sodium-cooled fast nuclear reactor that achieved criticality on October 18, 1985. The Copper-Chloride (Cu–Cl) hydrogen production cycle was designed and developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai. The engineering, development, installation, testing, and commissioning of this project were carried out jointly by BARC and IGCAR. According to the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), this facility serves as a technology demonstration tool. It demonstrates the feasibility of producing hydrogen using nuclear heat, scaling up from the laboratory level to the pilot-plant level. Technology Development The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) developed the hydrogen production technology. IGCAR integrated the system with the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR). Significance Demonstrates the use of nuclear energy for producing clean hydrogen. Supports…
