goingcritical:gleepUnited Kingdom · Research reactor

GLEEP

Developer: Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Harwell

Site: Harwell, Oxfordshire

Status: Critical since August 15, 1947 critical

Summary:

First reactor to go critical in Western Europe

Details

DesignGraphite Low Energy Experimental Pile (graphite-moderated, air-cooled)
Capacity0.003 MW (thermal where reported)

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality August 15, 1947

References

  1. UK Government / NDA, GLEEP history and decommissioning
  2. Atomic Archive, nuclear firsts