United States · Ames, IA · 42.027, -93.632 (approximate location)

ALRR Ames Laboratory

ALRR Ames Laboratory, a research reactor (heavy water) in Ames, IA, United States, with 5 MW of thermal power, operated by Ames Lab, Iowa State University. Decommissioned, first critical in 1965.

It was one of the 340 research reactors the United States has had; 48 remain in operation today. It went critical 23 years after the first research reactor in the United States, CP-1, Chicago Pile 1 (1942). 10 heavy-water research reactors remain in operation today across 7 countries. Its declared uses include nuclear data measurements and materials testing.

Country

United States

City

Ames, IA

Type

Heavy water

Thermal power

5 MW

Operator

Ames Lab, Iowa State University

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1965

Purpose

Nuclear data, materials testing

See also: every research reactor in United States · How research reactors work