France · Saclay · 48.731, 2.172

EL 3

EL 3, a research reactor (heavy water) in Saclay, France, with 18 MW of thermal power, operated by CEA Saclay. Decommissioned, first critical in 1957.

It was one of the 38 research reactors France has had; 2 remain in operation today. It went critical 9 years after the first research reactor in France, ZOE (EL-1) (1948). 10 heavy-water research reactors remain in operation today across 7 countries.

Country

France

City

Saclay

Type

Heavy water

Thermal power

18 MW

Operator

CEA Saclay

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1957

See also: every research reactor in France · How research reactors work