Went and toured the first nuclear power plant today…
daddyjt
Posts: 3,028
A couple months ago, I came across a video from a YouTuber I enjoy called “Smarter Every Day”. It was about his visit to the world’s first nuclear power plant, called EBR-1 (Experimental Breeder Reactor 1). Shortly into the video, I realized that this historical site is more or less in my back yard, up in central Idaho (about 3 hours away). So this past weekend we packed in the car and headed up to check it out in person.
It was an awesome day, and I’m sure we’ll be back again someday! They have done an exceptional job of maintaining the site, and it feels very much like it must have been in the 1950’s. They have guided tours, or you can explore at your own pace. I’ve attached the video (a little long at 45 mins), and some photos (my daughter is in most of them - sorry, lol). If you ever find yourself in central Idaho, I highly recommend the experience!
https://youtu.be/JVROsxtjoCw?si=xLdmAgCdy_XMT0zC
This one is NOT my photo (didn’t think to take one of the site)
This is a neat effect - there are 36 panes of glass with mineral oil filler to provided a way to visually inspect fuel rods. When you shine a light at the window, each pane reflects the light, giving the string of 36 dots.
It was an awesome day, and I’m sure we’ll be back again someday! They have done an exceptional job of maintaining the site, and it feels very much like it must have been in the 1950’s. They have guided tours, or you can explore at your own pace. I’ve attached the video (a little long at 45 mins), and some photos (my daughter is in most of them - sorry, lol). If you ever find yourself in central Idaho, I highly recommend the experience!
https://youtu.be/JVROsxtjoCw?si=xLdmAgCdy_XMT0zCThis one is NOT my photo (didn’t think to take one of the site)
This is a neat effect - there are 36 panes of glass with mineral oil filler to provided a way to visually inspect fuel rods. When you shine a light at the window, each pane reflects the light, giving the string of 36 dots.
“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
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Santa Susana Field Laboratory is a couple miles from my house. Sodium reactors were developed there, and several melted down. Every rocket motor from the first, all the way through the Space Shuttle, along with nuclear jet engines for the B36 were also tested there. The site is now a horror show of contamination that has been tied up in court for decades as to who is responsible. The Woolsey Fire started there and burned to within a half mile of our home.The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it? -
nooshinjohn wrote: »Santa Susana Field Laboratory is a couple miles from my house. Sodium reactors were developed there, and several melted down. Every rocket motor from the first, all the way through the Space Shuttle, along with nuclear jet engines for the B36 were also tested there. The site is now a horror show of contamination that has been tied up in court for decades as to who is responsible. The Woolsey Fire started there and burned to within a half mile of our home.
How on Earth are people (you included) allowed to live a couple miles from the site of a nuclear meltdown?!? I can’t imagine the radiation levels are anywhere near acceptable for human life…. I had never heard that there was a reactor meltdown in the United States, let alone several. At any rate, the site in Idaho is perfectly safe, and very welcoming. They have had reactors in constant operation there for over 70 years, with only one issue (steam explosion) in the 60’s that unfortunately killed two people. Perhaps the NaK (sodium-potassium) reactor technology they use is safer and/or more stable than the sodium technology used in CA?“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
Too bad they broke the mold and never reproduced this kit....
Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 * -
Used to work out there when it was called the INEL.
Did you get to see these, they’re on the way to EBR-1?
Nuclear engines being built to power an aircraft. Initiated by John F. Kennedy if I remember correctly. The landing airfield had actually been built for it.
Such a cool & interesting area…..
Craters of the Moon also a neat area to visit there.Post edited by skipshot12 on -
Sorry, this pic…
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skipshot12 wrote: »Used to work out there when it was called the INEL.
Did you get to see these, they’re on the way to EBR-1?
Nuclear engines being built to power an aircraft. Initiated by John F. Kennedy if I remember correctly. The landing airfield had actually been built for it.
Small world indeed - so you can attest to the remoteness of the site!
Yes, they have those 2 on display right outside the building. It’s difficult to comprehend those being in an aircraft - however, they (or something inspired by them) turned out to be just the ticket for ships and subs…“Human beings are born with different capacities. If they are free, they are not equal. And if they are equal, they are not free.”
― Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
Back in the day the INEL trained naval personnel with live battleship cannon training along with a nuclear submarine that could actually dive under water.
All done in the High Plain Desert of Idaho. -
Oh yea, that’s some remote area right there.
Can be brutal there working outside in July & August.
Beautiful area in it’s own way. -
nooshinjohn wrote: »Santa Susana Field Laboratory is a couple miles from my house. Sodium reactors were developed there, and several melted down. Every rocket motor from the first, all the way through the Space Shuttle, along with nuclear jet engines for the B36 were also tested there. The site is now a horror show of contamination that has been tied up in court for decades as to who is responsible. The Woolsey Fire started there and burned to within a half mile of our home.
How on Earth are people (you included) allowed to live a couple miles from the site of a nuclear meltdown?!? I can’t imagine the radiation levels are anywhere near acceptable for human life…. I had never heard that there was a reactor meltdown in the United States, let alone several. At any rate, the site in Idaho is perfectly safe, and very welcoming. They have had reactors in constant operation there for over 70 years, with only one issue (steam explosion) in the 60’s that unfortunately killed two people. Perhaps the NaK (sodium-potassium) reactor technology they use is safer and/or more stable than the sodium technology used in CA?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Susana_Field_LaboratoryThe Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon 680d DSD
“When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson
How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
