SL-1 reactor meltdown - video and photos

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Jul 31, 2021, 12:56 PM
Altair

SL-1 reactor meltdown - video and photos

Aftermath photos of the National Reactor Testing Station's Stationary Low-Power Reactor Number One (SL-1) experimental reactor which underwent a steam explosion and meltdown on January 3, 1961. Three operators lost their lives.

8:33 video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWi_w2H1saE

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...n_fullsize.jpg
https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...r_meltdown.jpg

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...2_fullsize.jpg
https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net..._meltdown2.jpg

Fullsize image: https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...1_fullsize.jpg
https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net..._meltdown1.jpg

https://diqn32j8nouaz.cloudfront.net...3_fullsize.jpg

Previously:

https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...724#post163367
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...099#post145301
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...458#post142767
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...240#post180821
https://www.homemadetools.net/forum/...393#post169663
Jul 31, 2021, 06:37 PM
metric_taper

I know this was classified information at one time, but it's known to have been caused by murder suicide, as one of the men was cheating with the others wife.
However anything written today only indicates it's a 'possible' cause.
https://passingstrangeness.wordpress...clear-reactor/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SL-1
Aug 1, 2021, 05:46 AM
Elizabeth Greene

I was unfamiliar with the murder/suicide part of this story. Thanks for sharing it.

The Terrapower reactors are being designed so that even a well informed dedicated malicious attacker shouldn't be able to cause this kind of incident. I had thought that a bit silly; now not so much.
Aug 2, 2021, 01:01 PM
Floradawg

One of the most interesting books I have ever read (and I read a lot) is "Atomic Accidents" by James Mahaffey. There have been many more accidents and incidents than most people have ever heard of. I can't recommend this book highly enough. Check it out. He also has a book called "Atomic Adventures" which is also interesting but duplicates a lot of info from the other book. If you read one of these make it the first one.