Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Monday, Jun 02, 2008
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Business Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Monday, Jun 02, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version | Audio |
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Power Industry & Economy - Exports & Imports US steps up demand for heavy water from India
4,400 kg of nuclear-grade heavy water exported to a US firm recently Two orders received for 11 tonnes and 4.6 tonnes of heavy water Higher demand foreseen for ‘superior purity’ of Indian product Anil Sasi
New Delhi, June 1 Even as the fate of the Indo-US nuclear deal hangs in the balance, India is gradually emerging as a big-ticket exporter of heavy water. Heavy water is a sensitive ingredient used mainly as a moderator and coolant in nuclear power stations as well as research reactors. The US is emerging as the biggest customer for Indian heavy water exports, while South Korea has also ordered a consignment, even as the firms from these countries that have placed orders are using the compound largely for non-nuclear purpose. The Heavy Water Board (HWB) — a constituent unit under the Department of Atomic Energy that is primarily responsible for production of heavy water — recently executed an export order of 4,400 kg of nuclear-grade heavy water to US firm Spectra Gases Inc. According to official sources, the New Jersey-based company has now placed another export order for 11 tonnes of heavy water. Cambridge Laboratories Inc, another US-based firm, has requested for 4.6 tonnes of high-quality heavy water. The Board has also bagged an order from South Korea for 4 tonnes of heavy water. Heavy water contains a higher proportion of the hydrogen isotope deuterium. Chemically the same as regular water, it is mostly used as a moderator in nuclear reactors that use non-enriched uranium and helps in stabilising the volatile chain reactions. Growing demandHWB currently operates seven plants in the country, all of which (except Hazira and Tuticorin) were operating at over 100 per cent of their rated production capacity till March 2008. While India has exported some quantities of heavy water in the late 1990s to South Korea and China, prior to the May 1998 nuclear weapons tests, the exported quantities were quite insignificant and there were no repeat orders. It is now that orders are picking up and, more importantly, importers include global nuclear powers such as the US. According to official sources, the demand is expected to pick up in the coming years because of the “high quality and superior purity levels” of HWB’s heavy water. Spectra Gases, for instance, uses Indian heavy water imports at one of its divisions, Spectra Stable Isotopes, which manufactures stable isotope biochemicals — proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids. Cambridge Isotope Laboratories specialises in the development, production, and marketing of stable (non-radioactive) isotopes and chemical compounds labelled with stable isotopes. More Stories on : Power | Exports & Imports | Water | Foreign Relations
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