Chicago Pile-5 facts for kids
Chicago Pile-5 (or CP-5) was a special kind of machine called a nuclear reactor. It was built to help scientists do important research. CP-5 was the last in a series of these "Chicago Pile" reactors, which began with CP-1 way back in 1942.
This reactor was the first one built at the Argonne National Laboratory in DuPage County, Illinois. It operated for many years, from 1954 until 1979, helping scientists learn new things about materials and energy.
What Was Chicago Pile-5?
CP-5 was a research reactor. This means its main job wasn't to make electricity. Instead, it was used to create tiny particles called neutrons. Scientists then used these neutrons to study different materials and conduct experiments.
The reactor used a special type of fuel called enriched uranium. To keep it cool and control the neutrons, it used something called heavy water. This heavy water acted as both a coolant (to stop it getting too hot) and a moderator (to slow down the neutrons).
CP-5 could operate at a power level of 5 megawatts. This power level was perfect for producing the neutrons needed for scientific research.
Making the Site Safe: Decommissioning
After CP-5 stopped operating in 1979, the site needed to be made completely safe. This process is called decommissioning. It's like carefully taking apart a big machine and cleaning up everything around it.
The cleanup of the CP-5 site began in 1991 and was finished by 2000. During this time, workers safely removed all the equipment that had been used in the reactor. They also took away the special fuel and cleaned the reactor's main container and pipes.
Even the pool where the used fuel was stored and the special "hot cell" (a protected area for handling radioactive materials) were carefully cleaned. Today, the parts of the building that people can access are very safe. The radiation levels there are now similar to the natural background radiation we experience every day.
