The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) has inaugurated the world’s first hydrogen production facility that uses the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle powered by nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam.
The facility was inaugurated on June 26 by Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary, DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, in the presence of Shri Sreekumar G. Pillai, Director of IGCAR.
Developed as a technology demonstration project, the facility aims to validate hydrogen production using nuclear energy through the Cu–Cl thermochemical process developed by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). According to DAE, the successful integration of nuclear process heat with hydrogen production could support future large-scale carbon-free hydrogen generation using advanced nuclear reactors.
Key Highlights
- DAE inaugurated the world’s first Cu–Cl thermochemical hydrogen production facility using nuclear heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.
- The facility is located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam.
- The hydrogen production process uses technology developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
- The project demonstrates the use of nuclear process heat for producing hydrogen without greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-based methods.
- The facility will help researchers optimize the Cu–Cl process and support future commercial-scale nuclear-assisted hydrogen production.
- The project expands the role of India’s nuclear programme beyond electricity generation into clean hydrogen production.
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Facility Demonstrates Nuclear-Assisted Hydrogen Production
The newly commissioned plant has been established as a technology demonstrator to test hydrogen production using the copper–chlorine thermochemical cycle. The process uses nuclear process heat generated by the Fast Breeder Test Reactor instead of relying on fossil fuels.
According to DAE, the Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle is considered one of the promising hydrogen production technologies because it operates at relatively lower temperatures while offering higher thermodynamic efficiency compared to several other methods under development worldwide.
Hydrogen is expected to play an important role in the transition toward cleaner energy systems. Using nuclear heat for hydrogen production can reduce dependence on fossil fuels and avoid greenhouse gas emissions associated with conventional hydrogen production methods.
The project is the result of joint efforts by BARC and IGCAR, covering research, process development, engineering design, equipment fabrication, installation, testing, and commissioning. The facility will also provide operational data for improving the process and supporting future scale-up for commercial applications.
Officials Highlight Role in Clean Energy
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Ajit Kumar Mohanty said that combining nuclear energy with hydrogen production offers a strategic pathway toward a sustainable energy future. He noted that nuclear power can provide both carbon-free electricity and high-temperature process heat, making it suitable for large-scale hydrogen production while supporting India’s energy security, decarbonization goals, and long-term development.
He also acknowledged the contributions of scientists, engineers, and technical teams from BARC and IGCAR for successfully converting the research concept into an operational facility.
Shri Sreekumar G. Pillai, Director of IGCAR, said the achievement builds on more than four decades of operational experience gained through the Fast Breeder Test Reactor programme. He stated that the project demonstrates the ability of advanced nuclear systems to support clean energy technologies and contribute to India’s long-term energy security.
Built on India’s Fast Breeder Reactor Programme
IGCAR, established in 1971 under the Department of Atomic Energy, has led India’s Fast Breeder Reactor programme for more than four decades. The Fast Breeder Test Reactor has been used to develop and validate reactor fuels, materials, sodium technologies, and other advanced nuclear systems.
The experience gained through FBTR has also supported the development of the 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), a key project in the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme.
Over the years, IGCAR has developed expertise in reactor physics, thermal hydraulics, advanced materials, sodium technology, fuel cycle research, instrumentation and control systems, remote handling, non-destructive evaluation, and high-temperature engineering.
The new hydrogen production facility represents an expansion of nuclear energy applications beyond electricity generation and serves as a demonstration of indigenous technology developed by Indian nuclear research institutions.
Source: Department of Atomic Energy
