Heavy water (deuterium oxide)

HS v2022 Code: 284510

About heavy water (deuterium oxide)

HS code 284510 covers the classification of heavy water, also known as deuterium oxide. Heavy water is a vital resource in the nuclear power industry, serving as a moderator and coolant in certain types of nuclear reactors. Its unique properties make it essential for maintaining the controlled fission process in these specialized facilities. As a strategic material, heavy water plays a crucial role in the global energy landscape, contributing to the production of clean, sustainable nuclear power.

Production process

Heavy water is primarily produced through the electrolysis of regular water. This process separates the deuterium isotope from the more abundant hydrogen isotope, resulting in a concentrated solution of deuterium oxide. Additional techniques, such as chemical exchange and distillation, may also be employed to further purify and concentrate the heavy water for specialized applications.

Production inputs

The production of heavy water requires access to significant quantities of regular water, as well as specialized electrolysis equipment and infrastructure. Electricity and energy inputs are also necessary to power the electrolysis process. Additionally, the industry relies on skilled personnel, including engineers and technicians, to operate and maintain the production facilities.

Production outputs

The primary output of HS code 284510 is heavy water, which is then consumed by the 271210 nuclear power industry for use in certain types of nuclear reactors. Heavy water may also find applications in scientific research, medical isotope production, and other specialized industries that require its unique properties.

Revisions to 284510

Classification codes are adjusted frequently. The code may have been revised or replaced between system versions. The table below shows the history (newest to oldest) of the code 284510. The most recent 1 version of this code (284510) is in the HS v2022 system (this version):

This page shows the most recent version of code 284510.

Family tree for heavy water (deuterium oxide)

    graph LR
    A["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/28'>28: Inorganic chemicals; organic and inorganic compounds of precious metals; of rare earth metals, of radio-active elements and of isotopes</a>"]
A --> B["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/2845'>2845: Isotopes other than those of heading no. 2844; compounds, inorganic or organic, of such isotopes, whether or not chemically defined</a>"]
B --> C["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/284510'>284510: Heavy water (deuterium oxide)</a>"]

    B --> D["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/284520'>284520: Boron enriched in boron-10 and its compounds</a>"]
B --> E["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/284530'>284530: Lithium enriched in lithium-6 and its compounds</a>"]
B --> F["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/284540'>284540: Helium-3</a>"]
B --> G["<a href='/classifications/hs/v2022/284590'>284590: Isotopes other than those of heading no. 2844, 2845.20, 2845.30 or 2845.40; compounds, inorganic or organic, of such isotopes, whether or not chemically defined</a>"]

    

    %% Color coordination by level

    classDef level1 color:#000,fill:#a8f9ff,stroke:#333,stroke-width:2px
    classDef level2 color:#000,fill:#e0a458,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level3 color:#000,fill:#419d78,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level4 color:#000,fill:#c04abc,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level5 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef level6 color:#000,fill:#f1c40f,stroke:#333,stroke-width:1px
    classDef highlight color:#000,fill:#fff,stroke:#000,stroke-width:5px



  %% Apply classes
  class A level2
class B level4
class C level6
class D level6
class E level6
class F level6
class G level6

  class C highlight

  %% class A level1
  %% class B,C level2
  %% class D,E,F,G,H,I level2
  %% class J,K,L,M,N,O,P level3
  %% class C highlight