DAE Inaugurates World's First Hydrogen Production Facility Based on Copper–Chlorine Thermochemical Cycle Using Nuclear Heat from Fast Breeder Test Reactor

📌 Summary:

• DAE inaugurated the world's first hydrogen production facility using the Copper–Chlorine (Cu–Cl) thermochemical cycle powered by nuclear process heat from the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) at IGCAR, Kalpakkam
• The Cu–Cl process was developed indigenously by BARC, Mumbai; the demonstrator facility was built and commissioned jointly by BARC and IGCAR
• Cu–Cl thermochemical cycle is favoured for its relatively lower operating temperatures and higher thermodynamic efficiency; using nuclear heat makes the hydrogen carbon-free and cuts dependence on fossil fuels
• Advances India's three-stage nuclear programme by extending nuclear energy into non-electric applications (clean hydrogen) beyond electricity generation
• Inaugurated by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary DAE & Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission; FBTR is India's only operating fast reactor research facility

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 Science & Technology — indigenous nuclear technology, green/clean hydrogen, energy security and decarbonisation; connects the nuclear programme to the clean-energy transition

📝 Prelims Facts:

• FBTR and IGCAR are located at Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu
• BARC developed the Cu–Cl thermochemical hydrogen process
• DAE Secretary also chairs the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)
• India's three-stage nuclear programme: Stage 1 PHWR → Stage 2 Fast Breeder Reactors → Stage 3 Thorium-based reactors

🔑 Key Term: Thermochemical water splitting — producing hydrogen by driving chemical reactions with high-temperature heat (here, nuclear process heat) instead of electrolysis, enabling carbon-free hydrogen.