an —_ | (’: -l4. Argonne Reactor Program -~- Boiling Reactors, At this Meeting’ the Committee heard a report from its Subcommittee on Reactors covering . a three-day set of detailed and thorough briefings by Dr. Zinn and his associates at ANL during the preceding week, This study was undertaken 80 that the Committee could respond to the General Manager's request for an appraisal of the boiling water reactor development being carried ‘out as part of the ANL reactor program. We wish to endorse the general program outlined by Dr, Zinn, includ- ing the long-range development of the fast breeder reactor. In the _ following, we comment specifically on the boiling reactor programs Present plans call for testing the existing boiling reactor instal~ lation at Arco under conditions of high operating power leading to destructive melting of the fuel elements. Further tests will be carried out on a new and improved installation this fall, It was also noted that a tentative schedule has been established for constructing, at the Argonne National Laboratory, an experimental boiling reactor (BER) capable of delivering five megawatts of electric power. This schedule provides for construction to begin April 1, 1955, and for the reactor to go critical by the end of 1956. The component tests and studies, outlined by Dr. Zinn, on fuel element design, corrosion, burn up, the use of radioactive steam in turbines, and chemical costs are integral and essential parts of this program. ‘ The Committee continues to believe that the boiling water reactor development program is one of great promise. We recommend continued strong support, with arrangements which will minimize contractual delays. In our study of this subject we of maintaining a flow of information technological interests; and we hope facilitate the exchange of technical Savanneh River. have been reminded of the importance between different groups with common that arrangements can be made to reports between ANL, Hanford, and A more detailed report is being prepared by the Subcommittee and will be available at a later date. 5.. The Meeting was the last meeting of the General Advisory Committee before the terms of office of Dr. Buckley, Dr. von Neumann, and Dr, Rabi expire. It was therefore impossible to fix a definite date for the next meeting. However, a tentative date was set for October 4, 5, and 6, 1954. In any event the meeting will occur in e period between October lst and October llth. Among other matters, the Committee hopes to discuss weapons © effects, 2 and Project Sunshine. Jj DOE ARCHIVES| a * c woot. : . Dae aeAT nog BET pre ee et