i,
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.
so 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 endorsethe general programoutlined by Dr, Zinn, includ=
ing the long-range development of the fast breeder reactor. In the
following, we comment specifically on the boiling reactor program.
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 (EER) 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, andchemical costs are integral and
essential parts of this progran.
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 otir study of this subject we have been reminded of the importance
of maintaining a flow of information between different groups with common
technological interests; and ye hope that arrangements can be made to
' facilitate the exchange of technical reports between ANL, Hanford, and
Savannah River.
.
.
/
A more detailed report is being prepared by the Subcommittee and
will be available at a later date,
5.
~
The Meeting was the last meetingof 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.
1954.
However, a tentative date was set for October 4, 5, and 6,
‘
In any event the meeting will occur in a perlod between October lst
and October lith, Among other matters, the Commtise hopes to discuss
weapons effects, and Project Sunshine,