| Materials Testing Reactor (MTR) | |
|---|---|
 Early reactor that provided foundational information supporting the nuclear industry | |
| Generation | 1 |
| Reactor concept | Light water reactor |
| Status | Decommissioned |
| Location | National Reactor Testing Station, Idaho |
| Coordinates | 43°35′10″N 112°57′46″W / 43.58611°N 112.96278°W |
| Main parameters of the reactor core | |
| Fuel (fissile material) | 235U |
| Fuel state | U-Al plates |
| Neutron energy spectrum | Thermal |
| Primary control method | Cadmium |
| Primary moderator | Light water |
| Primary coolant | Water |
| Reactor usage | |
| Primary use | Power reactor research, radioisotope production |
| Power (thermal) | 40 MWt |
| Criticality (date) | March 31, 1952 [1] |
| Operator/owner | Phillips Petroleum Company |
The Materials Testing Reactor (MTR) was an early nuclear reactor specifically designed to facilitate the conception and the design of future reactors.[2] It produced much of the foundational irradiation data that underlies the nuclear power industry. It operated in Idaho at the National Reactor Testing Station from 1952 to 1970 and was fully decommissioned in 2011.[3]
- ^ Huffman, J. R. (1953-10-01). "The Materials Testing Reactor Design". Idaho Operations Office USAEC (IDO-16121-PPC). doi:10.2172/4406959. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ Nertney, R. J. (1963-10-01). "Fundamentals in the Operation of Nuclear Test Reactors, Volume II Materials Testing Reactor Design and Operation". Reactor Technology (TID-4500). doi:10.2172/4004452. Retrieved 28 December 2020.
- ^ "Materials Testing Reactor (MTR) Demolition (Time-Lapse)".