The University of Florida Training Reactor (UFTR)The UFTR, built in 1959, was one of the first nuclear reactors on a university campus. Today it is one of less than 30 such reactors used for education, training, research and testing at colleges and universities around the United States.The UFTR is used within the Nuclear and Radiological Engineering (NRE) Department at the University of Florida to train students to operate reactors, for laboratory courses for a variety of departments including the NRE Department as well as the Physics, Chemistry, Geology and Environmental Engineering Sciences Departments, among others, and as a radiation/neutron source for various research programs and experiments such as trace element analysis of ocean sediments, soil sediments, plants, biological materials, etc. We conduct many dozens of lectures, tours, demonstrations and laboratory exercises each year, many for middle and high school science students and their teachers. If any teacher, group of teachers, class of students, civic group, or other group is interested in visiting our facility, we would be pleased to be of service in conducting such activities to meet any group’s particular needs, with length of visit left up to the group to decide. Whether looking at models, operating remote manipulators, walking on top of the reactor, observing a reactor startup or measuring a half-life or trace elements in a hair sample, these groups seem to enjoy their time at the UFTR while learning some nuclear science. If you (or someone you know) would be interested in this program, please contact Prof. William Vernetson. |
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Outlook of theNRE DepartmentThe reactor operates at a maximum thermal power level of 100 kilowatts but does not produce any electricity as it is not equipped with the steam generators and turbines that produce electricity in a commercial nuclear plant. The core contains about seven pounds of enriched uranium versus the 100 tons or more of fuel in a typical commercial nuclear plant. Moveable cadmium blades regulate the power level by absorbing some of the neutrons that sustain the chain reaction versus the control rods used in pressurized water reactors like the Crystal River, Turkey Point or St. Lucie nuclear units in Florida.
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