AECL's ZED-2 REACTOR RECEIVES PRESTIGIOUS DESIGNATION FROM THE AMERICAN
NUCLEAR SOCIETY

Reactor designated nuclear historical landmark during its 50^th anniversary

CHALK RIVER, ON, Nov. 2 /CNW/ - The international nuclear community designated Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL) Zero Energy Deuterium 2 (ZED-2) research reactor a nuclear historical landmark today at a technical conference in Ottawa. Celebrating its 50^th anniversary, the ZED-2 reactor was honoured by the American Nuclear Society (ANS) for its outstanding contributions to the global nuclear industry.

The award was presented at the Canadian Nuclear Society's (CNS) Technical Meeting on Low-Power Critical Facilities and Small Reactors, where industry experts and academics have gathered to showcase nuclear accomplishments.

"We have come from all over the world to mark the historic occasion of the 50^th anniversary of ZED-2, and to articulate the important accomplishments that ZED-2 and similar facilities have made in scientific research," said CNS Executive Administrator Dr. Benjamin Rouben. "This event is a true international celebration of the progress we've made in Canada through these nuclear facilities. The ANS award is recognition of this and Canadians should be proud of it."

The ANS Nuclear Historic Landmark award was presented to AECL by ANS President Joe F. Colvin. The award identifies and memorializes sites or facilities where outstanding physical accomplishments took place that were instrumental in the advancement and implementation of nuclear technology and in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The designation will be symbolized by an inscribed bronzed plaque, which will be displayed at the ZED-2 facility at AECL's Chalk River Laboratories.

"Over the past 50 years, ZED-2 has proven to be a key facility in the advancement of nuclear science and technology for the benefit of people around the world. This prestigious ANS award is clear evidence of this," said Dr. Rick Didsbury, Acting Vice-President and General Manager of Research and Development at AECL's Chalk River Laboratories. "This technical conference is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of this important research facility, as we gather to foster global partnerships around nuclear research."

About ZED-2

Built in the late 1950's, the ZED-2 Critical Facility achieved first criticality on September 7, 1960 and turned 50 years old earlier this year. ZED-2 is the successor to ZEEP - the first nuclear reactor outside the United States - and was initially built to test the fuel arrangements of Canada's first power plant. Since that time, ZED-2 has supported the development of the CANDU industry by testing a wide range of fuel bundle designs and fuel arrangements at low power (usually between 5 to 100 watts) under a variety of operating conditions and simulated accident scenarios.

ZED-2 continues to operate today, actively supporting innovative improvements to the current fleet of CANDU reactors and to the development of next-generation reactor concepts, including advanced fuel cycles and thorium fuels. ZED-2 is also used to calibrate neutron detectors for use in power reactors.

For more information on the Technical Conference on Low-Power Critical Facilities and Small Reactors, please visit www.cns-snc.ca.

ABOUT AECL

Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is a full service nuclear technology company providing services to nuclear utilities around the world. Established in 1952, AECL is the designer and builder of CANDU technology including the CANDU 6, one of the world's top-performing reactors. AECL's 5000 employees deliver cutting edge nuclear services, R&D support, design, and engineering, construction management, specialized technology, refurbishment, waste management and decommissioning in support of CANDU reactor products (www.aecl.ca).

For further information:

Shane Matte
Communications Officer
AECL Chalk River Laboratories
Tel.: [phone] x 42827
Email: [email protected]