224 Heavy Water

Relatively pure heavy water was produced in 1933, soon after the discovery of deuterium, the stable heavy isotope of hydrogen. With the discovery of nuclear fission in late 1938, and the need for a neutron moderator that captured few neutrons, heavy water became an important component of early nuclear energy programs during World War II (1939–1945). Partly because of Nazi Germany's (1933–1945) technological reliance upon scarce heavy water for nuclear reactor research, they failed to produce a functioning nuclear reactor for the duration of the war. Since then, heavy water is an essential component in the design of some nuclear reactors, either for generating electric power or for producing nuclear-weapons isotopes, such as plutonium-239. Most contemporary enriched-uranium nuclear reactors use normal "light water" (H2O) for neutron moderation.

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Heavy Water Board (HWB), a constituent unit under Department of Atomic Energy in the Government of India is primarily responsible for production of Heavy Water (D2O) which is used as a 'moderator' and 'Coolant' in nuclear power as well as research reactors.[1]. India is now the second largest manufacturer of heavy water in the world. [2]

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The research in Heavy Water production was initiated by the Chemical Engineering division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in the 60s and was continued by the Heavy Water Division of BARC where a Pilot Plant was operated for studying the H2S-H20 exchange process. While these studies were in progress, the Department of Atomic Energy(DAE) commissioned the first Heavy Water Plant in India at Nangal, Punjab,India in the premises of National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) in 1962. [3] The plant had to be dismantled owing to national security considerations arising out of the disinvestment of NFL. The plant used to be operated by NFL and the DAE ensured the quality of the product.[4]

Heavy Water

Relatively pure heavy water was produced in 1933, soon after the discovery of deuterium, the stable heavy isotope of hydrogen. With the discovery of nuclear fission in late 1938, and the need for a neutron moderator that captured few neutrons, heavy water became an important component of early nuclear energy programs during World War II (1939–1945). Partly because of Nazi Germany's (1933–1945) technological reliance upon scarce heavy water for nuclear reactor research, they failed to produce a functioning nuclear reactor for the duration of the war. Since then, heavy water is an essential component in the design of some nuclear reactors, either for generating electric power or for producing nuclear-weapons isotopes, such as plutonium-239. Most contemporary enriched-uranium nuclear reactors use normal "light water" (H2O) for neutron moderation.

.................................................................................................................................................

Heavy Water Board (HWB), a constituent unit under Department of Atomic Energy in the Government of India is primarily responsible for production of Heavy Water (D2O) which is used as a 'moderator' and 'Coolant' in nuclear power as well as research reactors. India is now the second largest manufacturer of heavy water in the world.

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The research in Heavy Water production was initiated by the Chemical Engineering division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in the 60s and was continued by the Heavy Water Division of BARC where a Pilot Plant was operated for studying the H2S-H20 exchange process. While these studies were in progress, the Department of Atomic Energy(DAE) commissioned the first Heavy Water Plant in India at Nangal, Punjab,India in the premises of National Fertilisers Limited (NFL) in 1962. The plant had to be dismantled owing to national security considerations arising out of the disinvestment of NFL. The plant used to be operated by NFL and the DAE ensured the quality of the product.

 

  

 

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