On November 4, 2015 we got the opportunity to visit MIT’s nuclear reactor. MIT’s nuclear reactor is one of few reactors in the world that allows visitors to tour inside the nuclear reactor, so this was truly a chance of a lifetime. When we first entered we signed in at the front desk and then we were given a personal dosimeter. The personal dosimeter measured the amount of radiation that we were exposed to. By pointing the personal dosimeter towards a light source and then peaking through it, you would see a simple bar line that would tell you how much radiation your being expose to. Once we all signed in, we went to a room to receive a lecture on the history and the technology in the nuclear reactor.
MIT’s nuclear reactor has been operating since 1958 and has received two major upgrades in 1975 and 2010. These upgrades enhanced the power output of the nuclear reactor. As of now, the reactor produces approximately 6 MW of thermo electric power. When the 6 MW of thermo electric power is converted into usable electric power the nuclear reactor is only able to power on a 100-Watt light bulb. MIT plans on upgrading the nuclear reactor to a maximum of 10 MW over the years. By increasing the power output of the reactor, it would allow experiments to be done faster. It is important to remember that MIT’s nuclear reactor was not created to generate electricity but to be used for research. The water used for cooling the reactor comes from the city’s water source but then it is highly filtered to the point it is clearly clear. You can see the bottom of the reactor through 10ft of water. Over time the water becomes heavy water (D2O) and must be replaced. The D2O is sent to the government and more is received. The health of the nuclear reactor is highly important which results in approximately 500 maintenance items being changed per year. The actual size of the nuclear reactor is small, measuring at about 15 inches by 22 inches. If you were able to look through the top of the reactor you would notice that there is a blue glow coming from the reactor and this due to electrons traveling at the speed of light in water, which gives off the glow effect. After the long lecture, we moved on to the best part of the trip, touring inside the actual reactor.
From the outside, the reactor looks like a mid size white dome, but once your actually inside you are immediately overwhelmed by the size of it. Before entering the actual dome, we had to go through a pressurization hallway. There were two thick doors that were most likely over a ton. Our tour guide opened the first door and we squished ourselves in a small hallway. Once we were all in, the tour guide closed the first door and then proceeded to opening the second door that was the actual entrance to the reactor. When you walk in, the difference in pressure becomes extremely obvious. Inside the reactor there are many mechanical and electrical systems working in sync to operate the nuclear plant. There are many sensors throughout the systems, which make sure the reactor is working under appropriate numbers. We then walked up a set of stairs, which took us to the same level as the top of the reactor itself. On top of us there was a crane that can rotate 360 degrees around the dome. The crane is used to move heavy items from inside the dome and to also place used uranium into a basement holding tank until it can be shipped to another facility to be taken care of. The tour guide also explained how the dome is made up of 3 feet concrete walls to guarantee that it is a safe containment building.
After observing the nuclear reactor and its many systems, we went to the basement to check out the operation room. The operation room looks like something pulled out of a movie. There are hundred of buttons on the walls and multiple screens each displaying vital data information. The brains of this room are the operators themselves. They go through an extensive training process in which they must learn about 3 feet of information. The operators know how to deal with most problems that might arise during their shift. I highly respect those individuals who work as operators in the nuclear reactor because it must definitely be a stressful job due to the amount of responsibility on their shoulders. Before we left, we went through a station that measured our radiation level to make sure no one had abnormal values. Overall, this trip was an amazing experience. It was very informational and enjoyable.