"Reactor-of-the-Year" concept.
Little attention was devoted to estimates of
future power costs since they are so dependent upon assumptions as to the
extent to which foreseeable technical obstacles can be surmounted,
These
pilot-plant experiments are on a scale adequate to provide the engineering
and design data needed to go ahead with a large-scale power producer,
3.
We feel that our experiment at Oak Ridge of inviting top staff
from other projects to attend and freely discuss the presentation on individual
projects was definitely preductive and that such participation should be
fostered throughout the reactor program.
The resulting interchange of opinion ,
and experience, under conditions where salesmanship and promotion are minor
considerations, can benefit progress on each enterprise.
4.
|
There are some indications that the reactor development projects
were not receiving direotly some pertinent information in reports from
‘prolictiastis sites (Hanford and Savannah River) which could be helpful
to their programs.
This may be correctable at the Division level in Washington.
ARGONNE
General
Argonne is concentrating on small reactors and the immediate problems
which they present, believing that they can thus make their best contribution
to the immediate national program and to ultimate useful power.
Dr. Zinn
feels that commitment to a large commercial plant would impair their contribution by restricting freedom for trial and experimentation, and introducing
caution to assure meeting performance promises.
We agree with this general
philosophy for Argonne.
ae
DOE ARCHIVES
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