What is heavy water?

Heavy Water (D2O) is a compound of an isotope of hydrogen called heavy hydrogen or Deuterium
(D) and oxygen. This is also known as Deuterium Oxide. Deuterium has an atomic mass of 2, as
against 1 for normal hydrogen (H) due to presence of an extra neutron in the nucleus. Deuterium
is present in hydrogen and hydrogen bearing compounds like water, hydrocarbons, etc. and has a
small natural occurrence (D/D+H) of about 140 to 160 ppm. So it is necessary to process large
quantities of the low concentration feed stock to produce the final product which is enriched to the
reactor grade i.e. 99.8 mole %. Heavy Water has great similarity in its physical and chemical
properties to ordinary water. But its nuclear properties display a significant variation which makes
it an extremely efficient material for use as moderator in a nuclear reactor.
What is Moderator?
Moderator is required in a thermal reactor to slow down the neutrons produced in the fission
reaction to .025 ev (thermal reaction) so that the chain reaction can be sustained. Different
moderators normally in use are Heavy Water, Graphite, Beryllium and Light water. Heavy Water is
an excellent moderator. A good moderator should have excellent slowing down power and low
absorption cross section for neutrons.
What is Coolant?
Heat energy produced in the fission reactor will be removed by coolant. Water is an excellent
coolant that can remove the heat from the feed. Heavy Water is used as a primary coolant to
transport heat generated by the fission reaction to secondary coolant, light water. In Gas cooled
reactors carbon di-oxide gas is used as coolant. Coolant transports heat to secondary coolant, i.e.
water for generation of steam at an appropriate pressure for running steam turbines. Steam
turbines drive generators to generate Electricity.
Is heavy water Radio active?
No, heavy water is not radioactive. It is oxide of deuterium (D2O) which is stable isotope of
hydrogen.
When & why it is said that there is radio activity in heavy water used in nuclear power
stations?
Because some of the deuterium in heavy water gets converted to Tritium by absorbing a neutron a
nuclear reactor. Tritium is radio active. Further, some of the ionic impurities that are carried by
heavy water as moderator or coolant also get activated in course of irradiation. Hence the radio
activity is observed in Heavy Water used in Nuclear reactors.
Is heavy water harmful to health?
A small quantity of heavy water is not harmful to human health. In fact, human body contains few
grams of heavy water as natural abundance. Small quantities of heavy water have been used in
clinical studies and treatment in infants, lactating women and adults without any reported adverse
effect. Toxic effects of heavy water begin to appear only when deuterium content of body fluids
exceeds 20%, which is most unlikely event. Extremely large intake of heavy water is required for
causing any noticeable harmful effect.
What is degraded Heavy Water?
Heavy Water which has greater light water content is called degraded heavy water.
Why Heavy Water gets degraded?
Heavy Water has greater affinity for light water. It can readily absorb light water present in air. It
can also get degraded whenever light water from other processes gets mixed with it.
Is there any fixed life for Heavy Water?
There is no fixed life for heavy water if it is blanketed with the dry inert gas (N 2, He etc.)

DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY

Department of Atomic Energy, India

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT SECTOR:

Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research
Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology
Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre
Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research

POWER SECTOR:
Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.
Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd. (BHAVINI)

INDUSTRIES AND MINING SECTOR:

Nuclear Fuel Complex
Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology

PUBLIC SECTOR UNITS:

Uranium Corporation of India Ltd.
Electronics Corporation of India Ltd.
Indian Rare Earth Limited

SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS:
Directorate of Construction & Estate Management
Directorate of Purchase & Stores

OTHER LINKS:
Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
Administrative Training Institute, DAE

AIDED INSTITUTIONS AND OTHER ORGANIZATION OF DAE:

Tata Institute of Fundamental Research
Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics
Tata Memorial Centre
Harish-Chandra Research Institute
Institute of Physics
National Institute of Science Education and Research
Institute of Mathematical Sciences
Institute of Plasma Research
Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS)
National Board of Higher Mathematics (NBHM)
Atomic Energy Education Society
Homi Bhabha National Institute