Mumbai: The Department of Atomic Energy on Friday unveiled what it describes as the world’s first facility that uses nuclear process heat to produce hydrogen, at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam.
The demonstrator plant produces hydrogen through the Copper‑Chlorine thermochemical cycle — a process developed in India by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
According to an IGCAR release, the project demonstrates that nuclear process heat can be effectively linked with a thermochemical process to produce carbon-free hydrogen. It added that the achievement could pave the way for large-scale clean hydrogen generation using advanced nuclear reactors. Hydrogen is widely seen as a crucial energy carrier for future low‑emissions systems, as reported by The Indian Express.
The Copper‑Chlorine cycle is attracting attention globally because it runs at comparatively lower temperatures and achieves favorable thermodynamic efficiency. By supplying heat from fast neutron reactors, the system can lessen dependence on fossil fuels and avoid the greenhouse gas emissions tied to conventional hydrogen-making methods.
BARC and IGCAR jointly handled the research, process development, design, fabrication, installation and testing that led to the plant’s commissioning, the release said. The facility will deliver hands‑on operational experience, aid further refinement of the Copper‑Chlorine method and underpin follow‑on work to scale up nuclear‑assisted hydrogen production for commercial use.
The plant was inaugurated by Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy and Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, with IGCAR Director Sreekumar G Pillai present. Addressing the gathering, Mohanty said, “The integration of nuclear energy with emerging clean energy technologies such as hydrogen production represents a strategic pathway towards a sustainable energy future.
“Nuclear power, with its unique ability to provide reliable carbon-free electricity as well as high-temperature process heat, is ideally suited to support large-scale hydrogen production while contributing to India’s energy security, decarbonisation goals and long-term sustainable development objectives.”
The new demonstrator is expected to support ongoing research and development aimed at wider deployment of the technology.
