United States · Santa Susana, CA · 34.258, -118.666 (approximate location)

KEWB Kinetic Experiment

KEWB Kinetic Experiment, a research reactor (homogeneous) in Santa Susana, CA, United States, with 50 kW of thermal power, operated by Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Decommissioned, first critical in 1956.

It was one of the 340 research reactors the United States has had; 48 remain in operation today. It went critical 14 years after the first research reactor in the United States, CP-1, Chicago Pile 1 (1942). 15 homogeneous reactors remain in operation today across 6 countries. Its declared uses include nuclear data measurements and materials testing.

Country

United States

City

Santa Susana, CA

Type

Homogeneous

Thermal power

50 kW

Operator

Santa Susana Field Laboratory

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1956

Purpose

Nuclear data, materials testing

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