Supporting 2nd Stage - FBR Programme
The Control Material : Boron-10
 The Coolant
: Sodium Metal

PHWR
FBR
AHWR
Boron Isotopes Separation
Boron Carbide Production Technology
1/7/2024
Boron isotopes
Boron isotopes
[13 isotopes; 7B to 19B]
 Boron exists as
 Borax (Na2B4O7.10H2O),
Boric acid (H3BO3),
Borates..
 Two stable isotopes 10B & 11B

10B
– a powerful neutron
absorber
(Nat abundance 20%)

Control & Safety Rods of Fast
Breeder Reactor (10B ≥ 65%)

Neutron detector
(10B ≥ 90%)
Isotope
Thermal
neutron
(0.025 eV)
Fast neutron
(1 MeV)
10B
3837 barn
0.9 barn
11B
0.005 barn
0.000 barn
Neutron absorption cross section (σa) - barn
Boron carbide for FBR’s
•
10B
enriched B4C (≥ 65 % IP B10) is required as CSR and DSR for
PFBR/FBR of BHAVINI and as poison and control rod (50 % and 90 % IP
B10) for FBTR of IGCAR.
• Production process mainly involves
10B
enrichment using Exchange
distillation of BF3O(C2H5)2, Conversion of enriched BF3 ether complex into
KBF4 at HWP-Talcher, Electro-winning to produce elemental Boron, B4C
synthesis using High vacuum induction furnace, pelletisation and
dimensional finishing at HWP-Manuguru.
• .
Processes for Separation of Boron Isotope
• Fractional Distillation
• Chemical Exchange Distillation of BF3-Ether complex (BARC process)
 Very low separation factor (1.016 ± 0.002)
 Operation at moderate temp (50 to 70 C) & at reduced pressure (20 torr)
 Corrosion problems associated with boron compounds used
 Irreversible decomposition of feed materials & their toxic nature
• Ion Exchange Displacement Chromatography using Boric Acid (IGCAR
process)
 Low separation factor (1.011–1.015);
 large equilibrium time;
 easy operation at ambient condition;
 no toxic material used; large feed through put
Chemical Exchange Distillation (CEXD)
Process
 Two step process: Reflux reaction & Isotopic exchange reaction
Heat
BF3٠O(C2H5)2 (liq.)


Cool
BF3(g) + O(C2H5)2 (liq)
Reflux by distillation of BF3-ether complex at reduced pressure
On distillation, a part of vapour decomposes to BF3 & ether
BF3 gas recombine with down coming ether in liquid phase
 Exchange
reaction: isotopic exchange of boron isotopes
between BF3 in gas phase & BF3 –diethyl ether complex in liquid
phase
 liquid phase gets enriched in B-10
10BF (g)+ 11BF ٠O(C H ) (liq)
3
3
2 5 2
1/7/2024
11BF (g) + 10BF O(C H ) (liq.)
3
3
2 5 2
Talcher
B4C Production Cycle
Boron Exchange Distillation Unit for
B10 enrichment at HWP (Talcher)
KBF4 Conversion Unit at HWP (Talcher)
Electro-winning Unit at HWP (Manuguru)
Manuguru
Enriched Raw Elemental Boron
Powder Purification Unit at HWP (Manuguru)
Pure Enriched Elemental Boron
Conversion to B4C in Induction Furnace
Palletisation (HOT press and CNC)
NFC
Fabrication of Control Rod
Ion Exchange Displacement
Chromatography
 Principle of enrichment

A band of boric acid feed containing boron isotopes 10B and
11B is moved through a strong base anion exchange resin
column using dilute hydrochloric acid
[H310BO3]sol. + R-11B(OH)4]resin
[H311BO3]sol. + R-10B(OH)4]resin

As the band moves down through the column, isotopic
exchange occurs between borate ion and boric acid phase, the
isotopic exchange reactions attains equilibrium

Separation factor is multiplied by using displacement
development by HCl of band of borate ions in a series of
columns operated in merry-go-round fashion

The 10B isotope is enriched in the rear part of band
1/7/2024
Production of NG Sodium
Closed Na cell (2000 Amp) based
on Down’s Process has been
developed at HWBF(Baroda).
 Facility for 600 MT/y production
capacity is being set up with 24
kA cell.

Developmental activities in Hand
1. Extraction of Gallium from Byers’ liquor.
2. Recovery of Valuable elements from MDN Scarp
3. Hydrogen production
4. Production of Helium
5. Silicon Wafer production
22/06/2021
Gallium – An Insight


Gallium – Strategic Metal - backbone
of advanced electronic industries.
Used in semiconductor, LEDs, Solar
Cells. Also used for detecting Solar
Neutrinos.
.
Recovery of Valuable Elements from
metal scrap

Recovery of Cobalt, Nickel based
on hydrometallurgical
process
developed involving Leaching with
H2SO4 & HNO3, Solvent Extraction
& electro deposition.
22/06/2021
IS process for Hydrogen generation
o Technology developed by BARC – Thermo Chemical
decomposition of Water.
o Metallic Closed Loop (MCL) with design capacity of 150
NLPH successfully demonstrated at BARC.
o Setting up of 3000 NLPH demonstration facility at HWBF,
Mumbai in collaboration with BARC.
IS process for Hydrogen generation
The only raw material
Siemens Process Flow Sheet
MG Si
98%
CVD
Distillation
Column
Filter
1100oC
SiHCl3 + H2
Si+ 3HCl
CRUDE
TCS
FBR
TCS (UHP)
MIXER
300oC
HCl
Anhydrous
SiCl4 + H2
RECYCLE
Reactor
800oC
SiHCl3 + HCL
H2 Gas