Forschungsreaktor Diorit, Nuclear research reactor in Würenlingen, Switzerland
The Forschungsreaktor Diorit was a nuclear research facility in Würenlingen with a heavy water reactor system that operated from 1960 to 1977. The reactor used fuel rods enclosed in aluminum casings and operated at a thermal output of 30 megawatts.
The facility began operations in 1960 at the Swiss Federal Institute for Reactor Research as part of the country's nuclear research program. It was shut down and decommissioned in 1977 after 17 years of scientific work.
The facility represented Switzerland's investment in nuclear science during the post-war era and reflected the country's confidence in atomic research for advancement. It operated at the Paul Scherrer Institute under safety standards that were considered modern for its time.
The site is located in Würenlingen and is no longer accessible to visitors since the facility has been completely dismantled. Those interested in learning about its history can consult local museums or historical records in the region.
A 1967 incident involving a damaged fuel rod casing released radioactivity into the Aare River, drawing significant public attention to reactor safety. This event became a turning point in how Switzerland managed its nuclear research operations.
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