PREFACE
The nuclear energy activities of certain selected foreign nations in four Mjor geographic areas of the world have been surveyed, and the re suite are presentederies of four publications. This voluaa-containa lxtforamtlon on tha countries of Western Europe;overs North and South Astarlca, voluae III covers the Satellites and CoBounlet China,voluaieovers Asia and Africa.
The main topics considered for each country ere the nuclear objectives, the organisation and personnel byountry will attempt to gain these objectives, the facilities and materials available and/or needed to do the Job, and tbe intelligence evaluation of each nation's lavaedlate potential In nuclear energy.
These reports are basedetailed study of information available as of It is planned to update the volunes on an annual basis.
- ill -
Organization, Control, and Objectives of the Prograa Facilities in Existence or Planned Reactors
Types of Isotope Separators
Research Facilities Supporting Industry and Institutions
Industry
Institutions Supporting Personnel
Availability of Hateriala and Equipment
Source Materials General Estimate of Growth in the Next Five Tears
lo continental western Europe, atoaic energy cocalssions, or bodies formally charged with atonic energy natters, have been established in all the countries, with the exception of West Germany, and the latter Is expected to do so shortly, all these progress, with the possible exception of that of Trance, have as their abjective the development of atomic energy for powor, propulsion, ana general industrial applications.
Prance's program, which was establishedow has two research reactors in operation as welllant for the processing and refining of uranium. The French effort is plannederies of five-year nuclear research and development programs aimed at economic atomic power, but it should be noted that the French military forces are interested in developing both atooic weapons and propulsion. Research on the latter is already underway. Sufficient uranlu= reserves ere believed to exist in France and its overseas territories to support their program as now Planned.
a^L
Tha organ!istlon conducting atonic energy development la France isaror Atomic Energy (CEA) established It Is scientific and taefciileial in eharaoter and enjoys administrative and financial aatonoaty^ The Coaamiseariat is administered by an Atonic Enorgy CoaaaltUe Badeten members, with one appointed High Coastalsalon*r, reporting to tha Prieo Kinister usuallyabinet Minister designated for "the purpose. Generally, this latter Kinister has been the Secretary ef State to the Prise Minister. The present Faure Covertuaent, however, created awithout Portfolio assigned to the Prime Minister" who la responsible for coordinating national defense (excluding the direction of the Armed Forces) and has under his the Cotaadaarlat^for Atomic Energy, the Scientific Action Committee for National Defense,"aa well at other organisations.
The chief executive of the Commissariat is the Administrator-General or general mauieger,-who Is governed by the over-ell policy established by the Ateaalc-Energy Cceamlttee, whichmonthly.
To this etrtictarre, two indue trial-type cotamittees have been added: one on nrtwj ag to-give aid and advice to the CEA in this field; and one on Industrial equipment. These two committees are used essentially to bring atomic energy problems to the attention of the major French Indus trie a. Inhe French Government alsoman Advisory Cotanlaslon on the Prodnctlon of Nuclear Power.
The French mow have two research reactors in operation as welllant for the processing and refining of uranium.
The'French atoaalc energy effort Is plannederies of five year nuclear rerwarch and development programs ained at economic atomic power. However, it should be noted here that the French Military are Interested in developing both nuclear weapons and nuclear pxpulflioni research on the latter Is already underway.
Ther, provides for tbe constructionigh-flux materiala testing reactor, three new primaryo produce plutonium (one of which is now underadplutonium processing plant. It also Includes plans for training additional personnel in tho field of nuclear physics and allows for an expansion of uranium mining and prospecting activities In France and the French overseas territories. Recently, the nuclear study center at Saclay inaugurated ninety courses designed especially for engineers in private Industry.
Inhe French Goverruaent approved an expanded program calling for the expenditureillion franca6 Billion) during the last three years of therogramhe expanded program calla for the constructionubmarine reactor, and Increased funds for basic research, treatment of ores, and production of reactor materials, especially heavy water*
Aear program to start? will emphasize tbeof secondary reactors working fron plutonium and the erection of pilot plants for tbe production of nuclear power. Theear progress, it is hoped, will see the actual construction of nuclear power plants capable of commercially sound operation.
Industrial participation in the French atonic energy program has been developing very slowly. At first, industrial participation was Halted to supplying the CEA with equipment and materials. In addition, French chemical firms built the uranium factory at Le Boucbet, but the CEA operates It. After the departure of Joliot-Curie, however, the CEA began to make an increasing number of contracts with French industry for research and development of special materials and processes. Four of France's largest industrial concerns have been cooperating with the French CEA for the past two years under an Industrial study arrangement. The most Important activity of the group to date Is cooperation with the CEA in tbe construction of ita plutonium production site at Harcoule and the new materials testing reactor under construction at Saclay. In addition, two private companies, one for uranium prospecting and tho other for heavy water production, have been formed by CEA direction. However, private French industry is not Involved as deeply in the French atomic energy effort as it would like. French Industry would like to get Into derelopment work ln parallel with CEA activities. However, it ia doobtful that the present French Government or the CEA would look with favor on private atomic development in France
With regard to International activities, Franceontract with tho Indian atomic energy program for studios on the use of beryllium oxide inontract with Brazil to assist ln the establishmentranium industry inontract with Israel under which France has financially contributed to Israeli studiesethod for producing heavy water and the developmentrocess to extract uranium from phosphates. Franceember of CERN and one of the countries discussing tbe formati onoint European atomic energy project patterned after the Coal and Steel Community. Inrance signed an agreement with the United Kingdom for the exchange of non-secret Information on the development of the peaceful uses of atomic energy.
3. Facilities in Existence or. Panned,
1. French have two research reactors operating, one plutonloJB production reactoraterials testing reactor underwith others in the planning stage.
a. ZOE
Naee: ero Energy Uranium Oxide Heavy Water (Eau Lourd)
now designatedtatus: Operating. Went critical onocation: Fort de Chatlllon near Paris. Purpose: Research Kate rials:
atural uranium rodsanned in aluminum sleeves.
eavy waterons) (includes coolant)ons)
eavy water. Bled awayimple, light water heat exchanger. Operating Conditions:
TVitftl heatW NeutronmVsec. Comments: The reactor has beenouplet* rebuilding program while retaining tho sane general physical structure. Originally the reactor had been fueled with three tons of raw uranium oxide.
b.
Name: Saclay) now designated EL-2
Statue: Operating. Start-up took place in
Location: Saclay,? miles south of Paris
Purpose: Research and Isotopes
Haterials:
atural uranium rodsons}
eavy wateretric tons)
ons)
O, compressedg/cm2 circulating atperating Conditions:
Total0 KW
Neutronm^/aec.
Cements: When first operated the fuel elements vibrated
dangerously requiring shutdown and repairs to prevent vibrations. With the original fuel elements it was possible to reachfW design level.econd set of fuel rods, designed to stand higher temperatures, was fabricated. However, the reactor has fallen, sinceo half its power capacity. Inons difficulty was being experienced in operating lt atatts. This poisoning may be due to some unsuspected corrosion sooe place in the system.
c. LV-1
Same:
Status: Under construction. Scheduled to be in fuU-acale
operation byocation: Karcoule on Rhone Rivor south of Lyon Purpose: Plutonium production Materials:
atural0 tons)
ons)
Reflector
W for pumping) Operating Conditions:
Total heat0 KW
Useful powerWW necessary for
running reactor blowers and auxiliary services will be recovered. NeutronmZ/aec. Comoenti: s essentially an adaptation of the Brookhaven reactor.
d. EL-3
Name: EL-3
Status: Under construction. Scheduled for completion by the
endocation: Saclay
Purpose: Materials testing under high flux density of fast neutrons
Materials:
on of fuel with twice natural amount. France would like to obtain enriched uranium from the United Kingdom or United States if possible.
eavy water
Reflector -
eavy water
Operating Conditions:
Total heat0 KW
Neutronins atsr/sec, will probablym^/sec Coamnnta: Deslgnad along tbe lines ofeactor at
Sac lay but more powerful and to operateuch higher temperature. Orders forrons of heavy water hare been placed with Norway.
e.
Name: to be Identical and adjoining units) Status: Planned. Plan constructionith
full-scale operation expected inarcoule on Rhone River south of Lyon Purpose: Plutonium production Materialsi
atural0 tons)
etric tons)
Reflector -
Oj gas under pressure (9
Total heatW (each)
Dfcvful power00 KW expected (each) NeutronsrVsec
f. Submarine Rosetor
Name: Submarine Reactor Statua: Planned Location:
Purpose: Mobile power (submarine) Hate rials:
atural uranium
eryllium
Reflector -
rdinary water (probably) Operating Conditions:
Total beat0 KW Neutron flux -
Ccasments: The French have reported thct all problems attendant to the development of this reactor had been solved, including those of heat transfer and reactor size but no reliable details aro as yet available.
Two additional research reactors are planned by the CEA. The following details on then are available. France is obtainingons of heavy water from the United States which will be used In two experimental reactors at Saclay. One has the following specifications: RI-type reactor with refrigerated heavy water. The power will0 KW; and the flux willV/'sec. The second reactor has the following specifications: nail reactor to Measure effective nuclear cross eectiona and to control tho nuclear purity of materials. This reactor wouldons of heavy water. The power wouldW; snd the flux would be low.
of Isotope Separators.are smallat the College de France (Perrln'a Laboratory) and atCEA High Cosmvlsaloner, Francis Perrln, recently announced thatbegun studies on the separationy gaseous diffusion for
use In reactors. There Is no indication that the work iaarge scale or that it is being pushed very hard.
research facilities of the CEAat Chatillon and Saclay, both centera near Paris.
ChatiUon was the first center established by CEA and la the site of France's first research reactor, ZOE, which was completed ZOE has been usedcientific tool for the production of radioisotopes and for the irradiation of various materials. tudy of pile fluctuations has been undertaken. This has led to. ZOE'e useontrol instrument for uranium purity. Research la also undorway at Chatillon In the following fields: metallurgy, applied chemistry, mineralogy, biology, and physical chemistry. A'plutonium extraction pilot plant has been constructed atfor the CEA by tbe St. GOBADf Glass Company. Tbe central offices of the Mineral Prospecting and Exploration Service of the CEA are also located at Chatillon.
Saclay is the site of the second research, and of the materials testing reactor now under construction. Other research facilities at Saclay5 MEV cyclotronEV Van de Graaff, both constructed by the CEA. The CEA isev proton-synchrotron at Saclay. Construction of the machine is expected to be completed In addition to the Pile Studies Department and accelerator group at Saclay, there are research groups working on radiation protection, nuclear physics, electric construction, mechanical studies, etc.
There are two betatrons In France, neither of which is owned or operated by the CEA. One, built by Allis Chalmers, is used at tbe Gustavo Roussy Institute for biological work. ewer,EV instrument is operated by the French Military at Fort d'Isay les Moullneaux.
Id addition to tha cyclotron at Saclay, thereEY cyclotron at the College' de France which ia under the direct supervision of Frederic Jollot-Curie.
There are several Van de Graaff generators in France with the acet important one at Saclay.
D. Supporting Industry and Institutions
1. of France's largest Industrial concerns have been cooperating vith the French CEA for the past two years under an industrial study arrangement. Tbe Companies are: Tbe Soclete Alsacienne de Constructions Mecanlquea, tbe Soclete listhorn, the Soclete des Forges et Acieriea du Creusotnd tbe Soclete Rateau.
The moat Important activity of tbe group to date is cooperation with the CEA in the construction of tha Marcoule reactor center, and tbe new materiala testing reactor at Sacley. The responsibilities of the four companies were divided as follows with regard to the first production reactor at Marcoule: The Soclete des Forges et Aclerles du Creusot was entrusted vith tbe over-all responsibility and with erection of the pile block and layout of tbe graphite factory; the Soclete Rateau developed and fabricated the pile cooling system, Including blowers, filters and fans; the Soclete Alsaclenne de Constructions Mecanlques built tbe equipment for inserting and extracting the uranlua slugs from the pile, and the Soolate Alathom furnished the high voltage equipment, including tho electric motors which operate the blowers.
Recently, in connection with work involving the second reactor at Marcoule and the materials testing reactor at Saclay, the group haa been enlarged to Include the Soclete des Chantlers de ia Loire andoelinen.
Seint-Cobain, the company which built the pilot plant at Chatlllon for the separation and refinement of plutonium, is responsible for tbe plant at Marcoule which will extract plutonium produced in the three reactora there.
In addition, Electricite de France la building tbe electric generator to provide power from the first Marcoule reactor.
The following French firms are the major concerns supporting tha work of the French CEA, either through supply of materials and equipment or by research contract:
L'airon production of heavy water by fractional distillation of hydrogen (research contract)
I Coarpagnie Franealseconnected with General Electric of Tj. S. Working on electrical construction and electronica work for CEA reactor program (research contract).
Compagnle Gene rale de Telegraphic-Sensresearch contract to CEA on (l) preparation of zirconium metal (powder methods)irconium metallurgy (powder methods). Has also concluded an agreement with the Accelerator Service of the CEA covering the training of engineers.
Consortium de Products Chlmiques et decontract for production of special chemical reagents for plutonium separation.
j research and industrial contract to CEA. Pechiney supplies pure graphite (moderator grado) to the CEA. The Company also extrudes uranium rods for tho CEA. It ia under research contract for the following:
? 1. production cf pure beryllium oxide for moderators and powdered beryllium metal.
canning problems with beryllium and othor light alloys.
production of slrconlum metal (powder methods).
zirconium metallurgy (powder-nethods).
preparation of hafnium-free zirconium.
prospection fcr uranium in tho aluminum phosphates of Senegal.
Soclete d'Electro-Chlmle d' Electro-Metallurgies et des Aceries Electriquesresearch and industrial contract to th* CEA. Ugine supplies pure hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide for uranium purification. The company Is conducting research for the CEA on:
production of zirconium metal (powder methods) for canning.
zirconium metallurgy (powder methods) for canning.
Societe-Electromatallurglquo dupure calcium metal used In uranium purification.
e MlDOra'3 etas aa engineering consultant to the CEA at Le Bouchet. Designed physical beneficiatier, part of Le Bouchet plant for treatment of uranlua ores.
mes Phosphatesresearch contract to the Cca ror:
of uranlua froa lov-grade Moroccan (lime) phosphates.
production of heavy water. Tbe Company has modified Its electrolytic installations in its Soul oat factory with the Idea ofeavy water concentrate.
Soclete Potasae et Engraisresearch contract to the CEA on:
beneficiation of lov-grade uranlua ores.
of uranium from low-grade Moroccan (lime)company deaigned and built the chemical treataent plant forlow-grade uranium ores at Le Bouchet.
Soclete de Produits Chimiques dea Terras-Haresresearch (and once under industrial) contract to the CEA. STR deaigned the plant equipment at LeBouchet for purifying uranlua and uranium oxide. I*ow working on the successive fractionation method for obtaining hafnium-free zirconium, STR Is also interested In selling uranium purification methods abroad (India,tc.). The CEA is not Involved ln this latter activity.
Saint Goaddition to its work for the CEA on the design and construction of the plutonium extraction plant, St. Gobain la conducting research on the recovery of uranium from low-grade Horoccan (lime) phosphate.
Soclete des Usines ChimiquesIndustrial contract to the CEA for tbe supply of special chemical reagents for plutonium separation.
Manufactures de Produits Chimiques du Nord (Eatabllasements Kurilresearch contract for work on extraction of uranium from low-grade Moroccan (line) phosphates.
Treflleries et Laalnoirs ducontract on the atudymanufacture ofand the magnesium
aluminum alloys.
Societe General ducontract for the manufacture ofand profiled tubes of Magnesium.
Soclete des Produlta de Chimlo de Thonn etresearch contract to CEA for the.production of hafnium-free zirconium.
The two private companies that have beengely at the direction of the CEA, are the Compagnle Francaise des Minerals d'Omnium and Compagnle Francaise de l'uau Lourde.
The CEA holdsercent of the capital and is represented on the Board of Directorsoopegnie Francaise des Minerals d'Uranium which was formed in The founding aember of the company is the banking group of Rothschild Freres. Six private concerns, including Pechiney and Establlssements Kunlaann, are also shareholders and are represented on the board. Tbe company Is being set up to secure French induatrial capital for exploration activities and toranium or* concentration plant near recently discovered uranium deposits In the' Vendee.
Compagnle Francaise de l'Eau Lourde was formed in4 with the objective of constructing atilot plant for the production of heavy water by the distillation of liquid hydrogen* n the company are held equally between the State industry for the production of nitrogen,rivate company, L'Alr Liquide. The establishment of tbe company was decided by CEA, basedtudy Bade by L'Air Liquide. The company has beentate loan of ICO million franca.
Institutions.information oh exterior laboratories contracting with the CEA on research projects Is only available on the years of
From the Information available on both theset is clear that no Ideological discrimination is being made and that contracts are awarded to communist as well as Ti ni ll scientists.2 the contracts0 francs; in
the contract0 The percentage
of tbe total appropriation allocated to the Jollots decreased significantly5 percent of the total27 percent of the total
he CEA underwrote resoarch in some twenty-six university laboratories and research institutes, and Research was eupported in the fields of physics, chemistry and physical chemistry, metallurgy, mineralogy, and biology. Details and lists of publications resulting from the research are available.
The great ahortege la France of technically trainee! personnel has resuited In a. decision to use all sen available whether politically reliable or not,
In the beginningeople were employed by the CEA. Of thisre employed in its prospecting and mineral exploitation program;mployed in this capacity ic Metropoll tan Francen the overseas territories. For thehe total recruitment contemplated of scientific and technical personnel is,.
In order to insure an increasing supply of trained personnel, the CEA requested the Ministry of National Education in5 to organise aTraining Cycle" (post-graduate training following the Llcenclate degree) "ir. the nuclear sciences. In addition, it requested that the following JBxtra educational facilities be provided starting
ection on theoretical physics, and sectionsnuclear physics, nuclear chemistry, and chemistry.
ection on electronics.
ection on electronics, and a- section onand chemistry.
ection on nuclear physics and chemistry.
ection on physical chemistryectionphysica.
The request also stated that increased research equipment, particular accelerators, should be acquired In the training centers. For Paris, at theE7 synchrocyclotron has been ordered,EV particle accelerator and an isotope separator have been proposed. ForEV accelerator is planned as well as an accelerator for Lyon and one for Grenoble. The Laboratory for Atomic Synthases at Ivry should be furnishedetatron, and the Ecole NorraleEV accelerator.
The request also recalled that the CEA had organized4 at the Sorbonne training courses for students coming out of the national engineering schools. tudents have already taken this course.
France bas also participated. training programstbe "Atoms for Peace"
Two French atudanta participated in the first course of tbe"reactor training school at Argonne, and four have been selected to attend the second session which opened in the fall
Key personnel of the French CEA are as follows:
Prime Minister'e RepresentativeMinister without Portfolio assigned to the Prime Minister. The CEA reports to the Prime Minister through this pereon. Because of changes in the French cabinet over the Moroccan situation tbe name of the person filling this position la not known.
The Government DelegatePierredminiatrator-General. Serveaommissioner of the CEA in the capacity of the Government's delegate. Moat important position ln CEA. As Chief Executive-Officer is reaponalble for all contractual arrangements and personner'aetions. rominent military family. Graduated from the' Ecola Polytechnlque, Paris, 1ember of the Corps deselect professional body whose members fill many top'positions in French industry and French bureaucracy. Followed careerining engineer until the outbreak of World War II when he waa called from Indochina to Tunisia to become Direotor of Mlnee, Including petroleum affairs in the French Protectorate.Government. ecame Colonel in French Army and assumed charge of petroleum affairs for all of North Africa. Became Director of Petroleum Affairs for France (petroleum agencyovernment monopoly ln France) Appointed to present position with CEA
High Commissioner or Technical DirectorFrancisucceeded Frederic Jollot-Curle aa High Commissioner In Holds Chair of Atomic and Moleoular Physics, College de France. Son of late Jean Perrin, prominent scientist. Attended secondary school in New Tork City when father was conducting graduate seminars at Columbia Received higher education at Ecole Normale Soporleure In Paris. Early researcher ln nuclear physics with Joliot-Curie, Kowarski, and van Halban prior to World War II. Professor at New lork School for Social. Returned to France at end of World War II and helped organize CEA. Married to Colette Auger, Sister of Pierre Auger, prominent French scientist with UNESCO.
Atomic Energy Coagalttee
Pierre AilleretDirector of Studies end Research at Electriclte de France.
Roger BelinMaitre des Requestes in tbe Council of State assigned to tbe Government's Secretariat General.
General Jean OuerlnHead of the Scientific Committee for National Defense, which is charged with coordinating entire field and development related to national defense.
Jaan Marc BoegnerFormerly bead of the Services des Factesthe Foreign Office. Dnder Paure Government, la Directeur de Cabinet underwithout Portfolio assigned to the Prime Minister.-
Gaston DupouyDirector of the Centre National de Rechercheovernment agency which subsidises non-military research in France.
Roger GoetzeDirector of the French Budget. Pierre CuillaumatSee above.
Louis LeprLnce-RinguetCosmic ray specialist. Professor, Ecole Poly technique.
Francis PerrinSee
Tves RocardProfessor of Physics and Mathematics at the University of Paris and Ecole Normale Superieure. Director of Physics and Electronic Research, French Navy.
Key Scientific and Technical Personnel of the French CEA* Henri PiatierChef du Cabinet
CounselorsLeworking full-time for CERN; Eugene Lemeur formerly head of Mechanical Studies section at Saclay.
Bertrand Goldschmldtadio-chemist. Director, Department of Chemistry; Director of Public and Foreign Relations, CEA. Worked at Montreal and Chalk River atomic energy projects during World War II. Returned from Canada to France at the end of the war and helped to organize the scientific and technical services of the newly established French CEA. Official French observer at the Bikini tests
Jules GueronDirector of Planning; Director of the Department of Physical Chemistry, CEA. Worked in Canada with Goldschmldt during World War II, Returned to France after the war and helped to organize scientific and technical services of the newly established French CEA. Advisor to French delegation to UN Atomic Energy Commission.
Jacques HabileDirector of the Research and Mineral
Pierre TarangerIndustrial Manager in charge of the Marcoule Center.
Jules Rayr-ond MallletDirector, Urge Accelerators. Indue trial lat, president of Soclete Electrometallurgie du Planet, producer of calcium for the CEA.
Jacques AstyDirector in Charge of General Adsinistration. Naval engineer.
Eev Scientific end,, Personnel et CEA Installations
Chatlllon
CharlesDept. of Metallurgy and
Applied Chemistry
Section Hands
Chervet Jean Couraagot Andre Ertaud Hermann Herring Pierre Regnaut
Chatillon pile (EL-l) Physical Chemistry Plutonium
fifmda, Mineralpl?ltfltlQn
le noble Luclen Vuchot Andre Glnocchlo
Prospectlon Mlsaions Exploitations Concentration of orea
lay
Debleaae Jacques Tvon
Seclay Center Chief, Pile Studiea Dept.
Heads
Andre Berthelot Henri Jammet Pierre Lamy Pierre Deacans Jacques Stohr Maurice Surdin Stanislas Winter Mr. Uguen
Documentation Nuclear Physica Radiation Protection Mechanical Workshops Mechanical Studies Technology
Electric Construction Accelerators Seclay Pile (EL-2)
BertrendDirector
Paul VerteaJof Factory
Informationonsiderable number of these persons Is available, together with Informationubstantial percentage of persons reporting to thea.
Fund a
First expenditures ln the atomic energy field were made6 and. The accumulative total spent1 was.
The first five-year program, which is to extend over thealled for the expenditure Under authorization ofere spentith expenses running
Inhe French Cabinet approved an expanded program for the last three years ofear8 calling for the expenditure Actually,6 millionotal figure which Includes authorisations left over from previous appropriations and as yet unspent. In addition, authorization forillion of tha total sum remains to be sought.
of Materials and Equipment
1. Source
a. Uranlua
Ultimate uranium resources may be on the ordereas of thousands of tons; largely in Metropolitan France. Many occurrencea, but insignificant reserves, are known in the Colonies. Prospecting and ore concentrating activities are carried out by the Mineral Proapecting and Exploitation Service (DREM) of the CEA. Under thearge and well organized exploration program la underway throughout France and the Colonies.
The DREM haa four divisions in Metropolitan France which are either producing or are under development for uranium. The four divisions are: The La CrouziUe Division; the Lachaux Division; the Vendee Division; tho Grury Division,
"These figures
The CEA's Le Rouchet factory for uranium metal production ispresent to produceoons ofear. This.can befourfold fairly-0-
Details of the French uranium purification systempurity of the metal is reported to be better than that obtainedBritish. The current French process for uranium purificationunusual. Sodium uranate is dissolved in nitric acid, strippedprecipitated by hydrogen peroxide and eventually turned intosalt which is ignited in the presence of calcium. Theappearsg slugspm of
b. Thorium
Moderate thorium reserves exist in Madagascarodestis being obtained. etric tons (oxide equivalent)stockpiled by the CEA by Under an agreement withKingdom. Atomic Energy Authority willons of thorium bar by the end5 forJ
The CEA plans to have the Socletes des Potasses et Engrals Chlniquesactory for the treatment of thorium ores. Several French chemical firms, particularly Soclete de Produits des Terres Reres, have had long experience in the processing .of thorium.
c. Heavy Water
The CEA obtained tbe heavy water for Its two reactors, ZOE, from Norway. Ten tons of heavy water are on order from Norway forhe United States has also agreed to sell Franceons of heavy water for two additional research reactors with delivery scheduled6
In addition, the CEA with French Industry Is studying the problem of heavy water production. The Soclete des Phosphates Tunisians has modified its electrolytic installations in the Soulon factory with the idea ofeavy water concentrate. The Soclete l'Air Liquide is studying the fractional distillation of liquid hydrogen method. ew French company, Compagnle Francaise de I'Eau Lourde, was formed in4 with shares heldequally between the State industry for the production Df nitrogen and L'Air Liquide, for the manufacture of heavy water. The new company willilot plant near Toulouse and use the method developed by L'Air Liquide.
Tne United Kingdom and France, under the terms of the agreement signed Infe "ill exchange information and studies on the various heavy water production methods.
Graphiu
Nuclear pure graphite (moderator grade) is produced for tbe CEA by Pechiney, Pechiney'a current production rate isear. The density of the graphite Is5nd the diffusion length is aroundm. The graphite contains0 ppa of boron.
Beryl
Beryl la available in fairly substantial quantities from Madagascar.he CEAtockpile ofons of beryl and was interested in selling future production.
Studies on tbe production of very pure beryllium oxide end metal are underway by the CEA and various French chemical firms. (See SupportingThe CEA is reported to be getting ready far an exponential pile assembly using beryllium oxide as the moderator.
f.
Zirconium can presumably be purchased through private channels from Braxil. Studies on the production of very pure zirconium for use in the atomic energy program are being made by the CEA and various French-British agreement concluded In. Atomic Energy Authority and the French CEA will exchange information on production methods, mechanical and metallurgical treatment of beryllium and zirconium of nuclear purity snd of alloyws of these materials or of aluminum and magnesium, which can be used in sheathing uranium.
E. General Estimate cf Growth in the Next Five Tears
France in the next two to three years will have completed theof two and perhaps three plutonium productionlutonium extraction plant,aterials testing reactor. Plutonium, in kilogram quantities, will be available from the first production reactor inith that from the second expected inccording to present plans, the plutonium produced will be used in power, and possibly, propulsion reactors. Although studies are being made toward this end, France would prefer to obtain power reactor information from either the United States or the United Kingdom before undertaking the actual development of the power program.
If French Industry does not obtain free access In the atonic energy field, the French economy will never support, on^goyernment funds alone, the full-fledged atomic power development the,country needs. French GcTortmwint narrowHtindedneas li such that atooic"development will take years longer to come to fruition if restricted to tbe narrow governmental channels.
France's accelerated efforts on the training of personnel and the development of source materials will undoubtedly resulteasure of success in the next five years.
hxc
Original document.
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