nbsp   What is the SLOWPOKE reactor?
[A. CANDU Technology] [B. The Industry] [C. Cost/Benefit] [D. Safety/Liability] [E. Waste] [F. Security/Non-Proliferation] [G. Uranium] [H. Research Reactors] [I. Other R&D] [J. Further Info] SLOWPOKE is an acronym for Safe Low-Power Kritical Experiment (the “K” is justified! — it is the traditional symbol for “criticality” in the field of reactor physics). SLOWPOKE represents a low-power, compact-core reactor technology developed by AECL in the late 1960’s. There are five SLOWPOKE-2 reactors operating in Canadian universities (see related FAQ), rated at 20 kW and supporting nuclear education and/or neutron research. The SLOWPOKE-2 core is only about 22 cm diameter by 22 cm high, and sits in a pool of regular (“light”) water, 2.5 m diameter by 6 m deep, which provides cooling via natural convection. In addition to passive cooling, the reactor has a high degree of “inherent safety”; that is, it can regulate itself through passive, natural means, such as the chain reaction slowing down
