Hydrogen production facility at IGCAR, Kalpakkam, using the Copper Chlorine thermochemical cycle powered by nuclear heat.
KALPAKKAM: India has achieved a major milestone in clean energy and nuclear technology with the inauguration of the world’s first hydrogen production facility that uses nuclear heat and the Copper Chlorine thermochemical cycle. The facility has been established at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
The demonstration plant was inaugurated by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) Chairman and Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Ajit Kumar Mohanty on June 26. Developed using indigenous technology, the project marks the first successful integration of nuclear reactor heat with the Copper Chlorine thermochemical process for hydrogen production anywhere in the world.
The achievement is expected to strengthen India’s clean hydrogen ambitions while showcasing the country’s growing capabilities in advanced nuclear technologies.
World’s First Demonstration of Nuclear Assisted Hydrogen Production
According to the Department of Atomic Energy, the facility is the first in the world to produce hydrogen using the Copper Chlorine thermochemical cycle powered by heat from a nuclear reactor.
Unlike conventional hydrogen production methods that rely on fossil fuels or electricity, the new plant uses high temperature heat generated by the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) located at IGCAR.
The project serves as a technology demonstration that will help validate the process and support future research aimed at scaling up nuclear assisted hydrogen production technologies for commercial deployment.
Developed Using Indigenous Technology
The Copper Chlorine thermochemical process has been developed by scientists at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), while the hydrogen production facility has been jointly implemented by BARC and IGCAR.
The project reflects years of research and collaboration within India’s Department of Atomic Energy to develop advanced hydrogen production technologies that reduce carbon emissions and improve energy security.
How the Technology Works
Hydrogen is produced by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen through a series of chemical reactions known as the Copper Chlorine thermochemical cycle.
Unlike conventional water electrolysis, the Copper Chlorine cycle primarily uses high temperature nuclear heat and requires only a limited electrochemical step, significantly reducing electricity consumption. The heat is supplied by the Fast Breeder Test Reactor.
The Copper Chlorine cycle consists of multiple chemical reactions involving copper and chlorine compounds. These chemicals are continuously recycled within the system while water is converted into hydrogen and oxygen.
One of the major advantages of this technology is that it operates at temperatures of around 530 degrees Celsius, significantly lower than many other thermochemical hydrogen production methods, making it more suitable for integration with advanced nuclear reactors.
Why Nuclear Heat Matters
Most hydrogen produced globally today is generated from natural gas through steam methane reforming, a process that releases large amounts of carbon dioxide.
Another clean alternative is electrolysis, which splits water using electricity. However, electrolysis requires significant amounts of electrical power.
By using nuclear reactor heat along with a limited electrochemical step, the Copper Chlorine process can improve overall energy efficiency while producing carbon-free hydrogen without direct carbon emissions.
This approach also allows nuclear reactors to generate not only electricity but also clean industrial fuels, expanding their role in the future energy system.
Role of the Fast Breeder Test Reactor
The hydrogen production facility is integrated with the Fast Breeder Test Reactor at IGCAR.
The FBTR is India’s experimental sodium cooled fast breeder reactor and has been operating for more than four decades as a platform for advanced nuclear research.
Its high temperature process heat makes it suitable for testing next generation hydrogen production technologies that could eventually be deployed alongside future advanced nuclear reactors.
Why Hydrogen Is Important
Hydrogen is increasingly being viewed as one of the key fuels for achieving global decarbonisation.
It can replace fossil fuels in sectors where reducing carbon emissions is difficult, including steel manufacturing, oil refining, fertiliser production, heavy transport, shipping and long duration energy storage.
Hydrogen can also help balance renewable energy by storing surplus electricity generated from solar and wind power for later use.
Significance for India’s Clean Hydrogen Ambitions
The inauguration comes as India continues to expand its clean hydrogen ecosystem to reduce emissions from industry and strengthen long term energy security.
Although the newly inaugurated plant is a demonstration facility and not yet a commercial production unit, it provides valuable operational data that could support future industrial scale deployment.
The project also demonstrates India’s capability to develop advanced hydrogen technologies using domestic scientific expertise.
Strengthening India’s Nuclear Leadership
The successful commissioning of the facility highlights India’s growing leadership in advanced nuclear research and clean energy innovation.
Experts believe nuclear assisted hydrogen production could become an important part of future low carbon energy systems, particularly for countries seeking reliable, round the clock clean energy beyond electricity generation.
The project also expands the role of India’s three stage nuclear programme beyond electricity generation by demonstrating the potential of nuclear energy for producing carbon-free hydrogen.
By successfully integrating nuclear heat with the Copper Chlorine thermochemical cycle, India has become the first country to demonstrate this technology, opening new possibilities for sustainable hydrogen production.
Looking Ahead
The Department of Atomic Energy says the demonstration plant will help validate the technology under real operating conditions and provide critical data for scaling up future facilities.
If successfully commercialised, nuclear assisted hydrogen production could complement renewable energy based hydrogen production and contribute to India’s long term energy security, industrial decarbonisation and net zero ambitions.
With this achievement, India has added another global first to its clean energy and nuclear technology portfolio, reinforcing its position as an emerging leader in next generation energy solutions.
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