United States · Richland, WA · 46.280, -119.275 (approximate location)

PCTR Physical Constants Test Reactor

PCTR Physical Constants Test Reactor, a research reactor (graphite) in Richland, WA, United States, with 10 W of thermal power, operated by United Nuclear Corporation. Decommissioned, first critical in 1955.

It was one of the 340 research reactors the United States has had; 48 remain in operation today. It went critical 13 years after the first research reactor in the United States, CP-1, Chicago Pile 1 (1942). 4 graphite-moderated research reactors remain in operation today across 3 countries. Its declared uses include nuclear data measurements and materials testing.

Country

United States

City

Richland, WA

Type

Graphite

Thermal power

10 W

Operator

United Nuclear Corporation

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1955

Purpose

Nuclear data, materials testing

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