• Heavy Water

High purity heavy water is used in PHWRs for serving as the moderator and the primary coolant. 

• The first heavy water plant was set up in India at Nangal in 1962. 

• Other Heavy water plants are at Baroda, Tuticorin, Kota, Thal, Hazira and Manuguru. 

• The hydrogen sulphide - water process used at Kota and Manuguru plants is based on the expertise developed through indigenous R&D. 

• The technology for upgrading heavy water was developed at BARC. 

• The current research is directed towards the development of alternative, more cost-effective, technologies for heavy water production, such as hydrogen-water exchange process.

ATOMIC ENERGY IN INDIA