goingcritical:cp-3United States · Research reactor

Chicago Pile-3 (CP-3)

Developer: Metallurgical Laboratory (Argonne site)

Site: Argonne Forest (Site A), Palos Park, Illinois

Status: Critical since May 15, 1944 critical

Summary:

World's first heavy-water-moderated reactor

Details

DesignHeavy-water-moderated natural uranium reactor
Capacity0.3 MW (thermal where reported)

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality May 15, 1944

References

  1. Argonne National Laboratory, Site A reactor history
  2. DOE/OSTI, Manhattan Project history, CP-3