World’s First Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Plant (Cu–Cl Cycle)

About World’s First Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Plant (Cu–Cl Cycle)

• Nuclear-Powered Hydrogen Plant ( based on Cu–Cl Cycle) is the world’s first hydrogen production facility that uses nuclear process heat through the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle.
• Location: The facility is located at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu, under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• Developed by:
  • Core Technology: The Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical process was developed indigenously by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai.
  • Facility Development: The hydrogen production facility was jointly established and commissioned by BARC and IGCAR.
• Working Mechanism:
  • Hydrogen Production: Copper combines with dry hydrogen chloride gas at 430–475°C to generate hydrogen gas and form copper chloride.
  • Hydrolysis: Copper chloride reacts with superheated steam at 400°C, producing copper oxychloride while regenerating hydrogen chloride gas.
  • Oxygen Production: Copper oxychloride is heated to about 500°C using FBTR process heat, which releases oxygen gas and forms cuprous chloride.
  • Closed Cycle: Cuprous chloride passes through low-voltage electrolysis to regenerate copper and copper chloride, thereby completing the Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle.
• Key Features:
  • Nuclear-Powered System: The facility uses process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) for hydrogen production.
  • Lower Temperature Requirement: The Cu–Cl cycle requires a maximum temperature of only 530°C, which is lower than the Sulfur–Iodine cycle.
  • Low Electricity Consumption: The electrolysis stage operates at only 0.5–1.0 volts, which is lower than conventional water electrolysis.
  • Continuous Operation: The system provides round-the-clock, weather-independent hydrogen production using nuclear process heat.