goingcritical:ebr-1United States · Research reactor

EBR-I

Developer: Argonne National Laboratory

Site: National Reactor Testing Station (now INL), Idaho

Status: Critical since August 24, 1951 critical

Summary:

First reactor to generate usable electricity from nuclear energy (four lightbulbs, December 20, 1951) and first breeder

Details

DesignSodium-potassium-cooled fast breeder reactor
Capacity0.2 MW (thermal where reported)

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality August 24, 1951

References

  1. Argonne National Laboratory, EBR-I legacy
  2. Idaho National Laboratory, EBR-I Atomic Museum