Technology Breakthrough by Heavy Water Board in Material Support to Indian Nuclear Power Programme

Abstract

Abstract Heavy Water Board (HWB) is the sole agency in the country for production and sustained supply of heavy water, nuclear grade solvents and enriched elemental boron which are the key input materials for Indian Nuclear Power Programme. DAE has ventured to develop heavy water technology indigenously starting from scratch. H2S-H2O bi-thermal process was developed starting from laboratory studies to pilot plant and breakthrough was achieved by setting up first industrial plant at Kota and double capacity plant at Manuguru. In early 1960‟s, NH3–H2 mono-thermal process was at nascent stage of development. The rich experience from first industrial plant set up at Baroda has led to success story in second generation plants at Thal and Hazira, totally with indigenous efforts. NH3-H2O front-end process had also been developed for ammonia based Heavy Water Plants (HWPs) making them independent of fertilizer plants. Performance indicators of operating HWPs have reached the zenith level. India is the largest global producer of heavy water and is the only country using multiple technologies. HWB is also fulfilling the global demand of high quality heavy water. HWB has diversified into other activities like industrial production of other nuclear materials and development of spin off technologies.