Dounreay Fast Reactor
The experimental fast breeder reactor at Dounreay led British research and development of nuclear energy during the 1950s and 60s.
Housed inside a steel sphere, it was built between 1955 and 1958 to test the concept, and became the first fast reactor in the world to provide electricity to a national grid in 1961. Its 14MW output was enough to power a small town like Thurso (population of approx 9000). It closed down in 1977.
Decommissioning DFR is one of the most significant challenges in the UK today. A blanket of uranium and plutonium breeder material is submerged in 57 tonnes of liquid metal. Both need to be removed to enable the rest of the reactor to be cleaned out and dismantled.
The future of the sphere itself, once the reactor inside has been stripped out, is currently the subject of debate. The sphere is recognised as a local landmark and a national symbol of atomic heritage but is contaminated with radioactivity. A heritage strategy for the site is being prepared and this will identify a preferred option for its retention or removal.
See our News Room to read the latest news stories.
- Metal destruction rate powers ahead - August 2010
- DFR hazard destruction ahead of schedule - June 2010
- Toxic hazard levels are dropping fast - June 2010
- Classic film gets new lease of life - June 2010
- View crane replacement timelapse video - May 2010
- DFR pond dismantling steps up a gear - April 2010
- Breeder element strip hits target - March 2010
- All over for DFR stack - March 2010
- Coolant destruction is 4000 cleaner than expected - February 2010
- No let up for hazard reduction - January 2010
- Reactor teams reach 12 years accident-free - December 2009
- NDA chief sees toxic hazard disappear - December 2009
- Fast breeder was Britain's 'man on the moon moment' - November 2009
- New photo library reveals Queen Mother inside DFR - November 2009
- Fast reactor old stack to be scrapped - October 2009
- Lord Hunt sees major hazard being destroyed - September 2009
- Hazard removal cranks up a gear - June 2009
- Sphere pond surveyed - June 2009
- Sphere hazard removal gets green light - March 2009
- Breeder element removal tool installed in fast reactor - December 2008
- £50m plant will take breeder from fast reactor - July 2008
- De-cladding operations a success - May 2008
- NDA bosses see major hazard being destroyed - April 2008
Video clips available on our video library are as follows:
Construction of the breeder removal facility
The polar Goliath crane, inside the sphere
Inside the sphere
The airlock entry inside the sphere
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