Over the past six years the artifacts collection of the Canadian Nuclear Heritage Museum (CNHM) has grown significantly. Most of the artifacts, donated both by the public and AECL/CNL (Atomic Energy of Canada Limited/Canadian Nuclear Laboratories), have come in excellent condition, but a few have not.
A number of the larger models received “on loan” (semi-permanent) from AECL/CNL had been stored under less-than-ideal conditions and have needed some tender refurbishing. In the 19 October 2022 issue of the North Renfrew Times (NRT) the CNHM appealed to local modelers for assistance in this refurbishing. After a four-year delay we have succeeded in finding someone with the appropriate expertise.
Kurt Jensen, a CNL employee, recently developed an exquisite new model of the ZEEP (Zero Energy Experimental Pile) using modern 3-D printing techniques. After seeing the model, the CNHM approached Kurt to refurbish a water-damaged, cutaway model of the Gentilly-1 (G-1) reactor.
Kurt exceeded our expectations, and the newly refurbished model now is one of the feature displays at the Museum.
The G-1 reactor was a CANDU Boiling Light Water (BLW) reactor, which became operational in 1972. It differed from a “normal” CANDU in that it used boiling light water as the coolant and fuel channels that were oriented vertically as opposed to horizontal. This prototype reactor encountered a number of problems and achieved only 180 days of full power operation over the next seven years before being shut down.
In the refurbished cut-away model all aspects of the reactor and auxiliary equipment can be very clearly seen and can then be compared to the horizontal fuel channel, Advanced CANDU Reactor (ACR) model in the adjacent room.
Visitors who would like to view the models and the entire CNHM collection and especially new volunteers who would be willing to improve and assist with featuring the collection to the public are invited to contact the Society for the Preservation of Canada’s Nuclear Heritage Inc. (SPCNHI) at info@nuclearheritage.com.
