Nuclear Power Demonstration

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Decommissioned Reactors ( gross ):

The nuclear power plant Rolphton (English and Nuclear Power Demonstration ) was Canada's first to produce electric energy unused nuclear reactor and simultaneously an early prototype for reactors of the CANDU series. On construction were Canadian General Electric, Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd.. and Ontario Hydro involved. Located in Rolphton, Ontario power plant consisted of a heavy-water moderated pressure tube reactor with an electric gross output of 25 MW.

On April 11, 1962, the reactor went critical for the first time, the network synchronization took place on 4 June 1962. On 1 October of the same year, the reactor went into commercial operation.

The nuclear power plant could supply about 10,000 households with electricity. Far more important than the generation of electrical energy, however, was the role of the reactor as a demonstration reactor and prototype for the following CANDU reactors. In addition, he served engineers as a pilot plant for new fuel, materials and power plant components. The reactor was also used as a training reactor for the operating personnel later CANDU reactors.

As well as all subsequent reactors of the CANDU series was the cooling and moderating the reactor with heavy water. Also the refueling during operation could be done already in this first prototype.

The nuclear power plant Rolphton was finally shut down on 1 August 1987, long after were already much more powerful CANDU reactors in operation. Since 2006, all fissile inventory are removed and dismantled the investments of the non-nuclear area.