goingcritical:zoeFrance · Research reactor

ZOE (EL-1)

Developer: Commissariat à l'énergie atomique (CEA)

Site: Fontenay-aux-Roses, near Paris

Status: Critical since December 15, 1948 critical

Summary:

France's first nuclear reactor, built under Frédéric Joliot-Curie

Details

DesignHeavy-water-moderated natural uranium oxide reactor
Capacity0.15 MW (thermal where reported)

Milestone history

  1. Announced —
  2. Construction start —
  3. Fuel load —
  4. First criticality December 15, 1948

References

  1. CEA, 70th anniversary of the ZOE pile
  2. Atomic Archive, nuclear firsts