Why in News?
The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) inaugurated the Versatile Deuterated Compounds Production Plant (VDPP) and commissioned the 24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell at the Heavy Water Board Facilities (HWBF), Vadodara, strengthening India’s indigenous capabilities in strategic nuclear materials.
Versatile Deuterated Compounds Production Plant (VDPP)
- Established for indigenous production of high-purity deuterated compounds and solvents.
- Supports:
- Advanced scientific research
- Strategic applications
- Frontier technologies
- Reduces dependence on imports of specialized deuterated materials.
What are Deuterated Compounds?
- Compounds in which hydrogen (¹H) is replaced by deuterium (²H or D), a stable isotope of hydrogen containing one proton and one neutron.
- Used in Nuclear technology, NMR spectroscopy, Pharmaceutical research, and Chemical and biological studies
24 kA Prototype Sodium Cell
- India’s first indigenous industrial-scale prototype for producing nuclear-grade sodium.
- Nuclear-grade sodium serves as the coolant in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBRs).
- Represents a major step toward self-reliance in strategic nuclear materials.
Significance
- Strengthens India’s Fast Breeder Reactor Programme.
- Supports the second stage of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme.
- Promotes AtmaNirbhar Bharat in critical nuclear technologies.
- Enhances long-term energy security and technological self-reliance.