A Kodak industrial facility in Rochester, N.Y., was residence to a very little-known nuclear reactor containing weapons-grade uranium, the Democrat and Chronicle newspaper reported.
The research reactor — which was the size of a refrigerator — was housed in a bunker underneath one of the buildings at the former Kodak Park site, the newspaper reported.
Kodak employed it to check chemical substances and other components for impurities, as well as testing imaging strategies.
For much more than 30 years commencing in 1974, Eastman Kodak Co. housed a nuclear research reactor containing 3½ pounds of really enriched uranium subsequent to Building 82 at Kodak Park.
The reactor, recognized as a californium neutron flux multiplier, or CFX, was used to check chemical compounds and other materials for impurities.
As far as can be determined, there was never ever a security problem with the reactor.
The reactor wasn’t strictly a secret, but little was mentioned about it in recent years for security reasons.
The uranium was removed in 2007 and taken to a federal facility in South Carolina.
Though the reactor was not a secret, it was unclear if Kodak informed police and fire departments of its existence. Regional authorities had been also unaware of its existence.
The reactor contained far more than 3lbs (1.36kg) of extremely enriched uranium — the very same materials used to construct nuclear weapons. The uranium was removed in November 2007 in protective containers, the report mentioned.
Business spokesman Christopher Veronda said he could find no record that Kodak ever publicly announced the reactor.
Albert Filo, a former Kodak research scientist who worked with the device for virtually 20 years, told the newspaper, “It was a recognized entity, but it was not well-publicized.”
Details on nuclear power plants has been restricted since the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Kodak employed the gadget to carry out research into neutrons — subatomic particles that can generate an picture of a material with out damaging it.
In 1974, it acquired a neutron flux multiplier — which multiplies the neutrons flowing from the core of the reactor.
Entry to the chamber was restricted, and no one was allowed into the room even though the reactor was in operation.
Veronda stated, “This device presented no radiation danger to the public or staff. Radiation from the operation was not detectable outside of the facility.
Sources and more information:
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