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The Experimental Breeder Reactor-I (EBR-I) was the first reactor built on the National
Reactor Testing Station (NRTS), now called Idaho National Engineering and Environmental
Laboratory (INEEL).
Exterior picture of EBR-I.
The EBR-I represented a departure from weapons research. Argonne National Laboratory concentrated on developing peaceful uses of the atom, especially in nuclear power plants. Argonne-West was established to test designs and theories developed at Argonne-East.
EBR-I's primary mission was to develop and test the concept of a nuclear breeder reactor. The idea behind the breeder was to maximize the useful energy that can be obtained in natural uranium.
Light bulbs lit by the world's first electricity generated from atomic power. |
The next day, EBR-I's output was boosted to 100 kW(e). From that point until its decommissioning in 1964, EBR-I was able to generate all of the electricity for its building, which it often did.
On June 4, 1953, the US Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) announced that EBR-I had become the first reactor to successfully breed plutonium from uranium. This was another breakthrough, because Uranium-238, the most common form of uranium, can't be used in the fission process. However, Plutonium-239, which is produced by the breeding process, can be fissioned. By breeding plutonium in this way, more atoms of fuel are created by the reactor than are used. This process makes it possible to utilize almost all of the uranium found in nature.
Plaque declaring EBR-I a historic Monument. |
EBR-I also set another first on November 27, 1962 when it became the first reactor to produce electricity from a plutonium core. Experiments conducted over the next year provided valuable data on breeding in a plutonium fueled reactor and helped scientists in their understanding of plutonium behavior in an operating reactor.
On August 26, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson designated EBR-I
as a Registered National Historic Landmark.
In 1973, a plan was agreed upon to open EBR-I to the public. After thorough cleaning,
decontamination, removal of materials, and other safeguarding of the facility, the public
was allowed to tour the facility. The decontamination was finished by the end of May in
1975, and the EBR-I opened to the public for the first time on June 14 of that same year.
Free guided tours are available during the summer months.