The NRU reactor design was started in 1949, and when NRC's Atomic Energy Project at Chalk River became Atomic Energy of Canada Limited: a new crown corporation in 1952, construction was already underway. Completion of the NRU reactor in 1957 was a landmark achievement in Canadian science and technology. At 200 million watts of power it was a quantum leap forward from NRX; once again Canada's Chalk River Labs led the world.
The acronym NRU is used nowadays as the name of the reactor, often without reference to what it stands for. Originally however the reactor was called the National Research Universal reactor. Though that name sounds rather clumsy, each of those three words are well suited to this amazing science facility.
NRU truly is a NATIONAL facility. It is a unique resource for scientists across Canada. Because of NRU Canada is connected to an international science community NRU is a world-class RESEARCH facility. It was home to Prof. Brockhouse during his pioneering work which earned him a Nobel Prize in physics. It produced the fundamental knowledge required to develop Canada's fleet of CANDU power stations. NRU continues today to enable a wide range of research in chemistry, physics, engineering, bioscience, metallurgy, and earth science.
NRU is UNIVERSAL in nature. As a multipurpose reactor, NRU has enabled decades of research and development from a number of quite diverse scientific communities. At the same time it is the largest medical isotope production facility in the world, improving the health of millions of people internationally, each year.
A Versatile Reactor
"We wanted a reactor which would provide intense beams of neutrons for research; a reactor in which we could irradiate materials for radiochemical research; one which could produce cobalt-60 and other radioactive nuclides for treatment of diseases and for many applications in industry and in research; a reactor that would produce uranium-233 and plutonium for research directed toward nuclear power including the improvement of processes for the extraction of uranium-233 and plutonium. Not least important was our need for a reactor in which we could test fuel rods of experimental fuel at least two or three metres long in a high neutron flux and test the behaviour of liquids and gases that might be used for the transfer of heat in future power reactors. In short, we wanted a versatile reactor."
Dr. George Laurence, talking about his work in the NRC's Atomic Energy Division, circa 1949.
Speech at the Second United Nations International Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Geneva 1958.
"The reactor was designed entirely in Canada. Excepting only the heat exchangers, its components were supplied entirely by Canadian manufacturers. Over one hundred Canadian companies contributed to the fabrication of components."
Wilfrid Eggleston, 1965, Canada's Nuclear Story.
[Of NRU construction] "It is an outstanding evidence of the competence and ability of the designers and the workmanship of those engaged in the construction and particularly of our own staff who have shown knowledge, skill and care in checking so many details."
Dr. Keys, 1957.