United States · Aiken, SC · 33.549, -81.721 (approximate location)

SP Standard Pile

SP Standard Pile, a research reactor (graphite) in Aiken, SC, United States, with 10 kW of thermal power, operated by DuPont Savannah River Site. Decommissioned, first critical in 1953.

It was one of the 340 research reactors the United States has had; 48 remain in operation today. It went critical 11 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 materials testing.

Country

United States

City

Aiken, SC

Type

Graphite

Thermal power

10 kW

Operator

DuPont Savannah River Site

Status

Decommissioned

First criticality

1953

Purpose

Materials testing

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