DAE Commission’s World-First Nuclear-Assisted Hydrogen Plant

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has commissioned the world's first hydrogen production facility powered by a copper-chlorine (Cu-Cl) thermochemical cycle utilizing nuclear reactor heat. Located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, the pilot plant leverages process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) to drive a water-splitting process developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

By using high-temperature nuclear heat to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, this facility offers a zero-emission alternative to traditional, fossil-fuel-dependent hydrogen production. The Cu-Cl cycle is highly regarded for its ability to maintain peak efficiency at lower operating temperatures than other thermochemical pathways. According to the DAE, this milestone facility will serve as a foundational R&D hub for scaling up nuclear-assisted clean hydrogen production.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.