Penn State Radiation Science & Engineering Center
🇺🇸 University Park, US · Founded 1990 · Active
Also known as RSEC, Breazeale Nuclear Reactor, BNR
The Radiation Science & Engineering Center (RSEC) was set up by Penn State in 1990 to manage the university's nuclear research facilities, including the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor and a gamma irradiation facility. The Breazeale reactor first went critical on 15 August 1955, and Wikipedia describes it as the oldest operating reactor in the US. It began at 100 kilowatts and in 1965 was converted to a 1-megawatt TRIGA core using low-enriched uranium, able to pulse to 2,000 megawatts for a fraction of a second. It serves Penn State's nuclear engineering department and outside researchers.
- Sector
- Fission
- Role
- University, Research institute, Operator
It is the operator of record for Breazeale Nuclear Reactor (operating).
Design values
| Device | Parameter | Value | Unit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breazeale Nuclear Reactor | Thermal capacity (rated) | 1 | MW | design valueclaimed |