The European Approach

The U.S. has widely recognized the wartime contributions of European scientists to the making of the Abomb, but Western Europe's own efforts to apply nuclear energy to peacetime use have remained largely unknown. Last week some 100 scientists from eleven nations gathered in Liege, Belgium, for their first conference on "Industrial Application of Nuclear Energy." From representatives of eight European nations came big news:

Britain's John V. Dunworth reported that his country is embarking on a three-stage, $8,400,000 reactor-building program. In stage 1: ten to 20 reactors will annually produce several tons of plutonium at relatively low cost, form the basis for stage 2: concentrating on six or seven types of power reactors, including a gas-cooled model, which may use thorium and plutonium. Stage 3: fast reactors and a host of experimental models. Said Reactor Chief Dunworth: "We're endeavoring not to restrict our ideas too much."

France's High Commissioner for Atomic Energy Francis Perrin revealed that his country is now exploiting four uranium sources, ranging in quality from "poor" to "reasonable." Its first nuclear power plant, at Marcoule, will produce 5,000 kw. of electricity, plus plutonium. In 30 months' time a second, more profitable plant will go to work, with a net production of 20,000 kw. (enough electricity for a city the size of Tallahassee, Fla.)-Moreover, the French have found an "important source" of thorium in Madagascar, are studying nuclear propulsion for ships.

Italy's Carlo Salvetti reported that his fellow scientists have completed plans for a natural uranium reactor in Milan with a production of 10,000 kw. Recently offered a CPs reactor (used to make radioisotopes) and ten tons of heavy water by the U.S., Italy will probably save its own new uranium reactor for later, give research priority to the U.S. model.

Norway, with its huge hydroelectric resources, is concentrating on a ship-propulsion reactor to end its big merchant fleet's dependence on imported coal and oil. Already there is a 250-kw. reactor near Oslo, operated in cooperation with Dutch scientists.

The Netherlands is also developing other reactor projects, one of them involving the design and construction of a new "suspension" reactor which uses fine particles of uranium oxide in water as a reacting fuel.

Belgium, in its strong position as a major supplier of raw uranium ore from the Belgian Congo (see FOREIGN NEWS), has had less trouble than most in getting U.S. aid and assistance. Its first low-power reactor, using 30 tons of U.S.-refined uranium and 500 tons of British graphite (as moderator), is under construction in Mol.

Sweden has been trading its own low-grade uranium ore (200 grams of uranium per metric ton) for refined French uranium metal. At present the Swedes have one 300-kw. reactor built underground in Stockholm, another big reactor with a probable output of 20,000 kw. and some plutonium.

Switzerland's Jacques LaLive de Piney reported plans for a $7,000,000 reactor (using five tons of uranium, eight tons of heavy water), to be ready in 1958.

Although Europe's politicians express doubts about the dollars-and-sense of atomic power projects, the scientists at Liege last week were almost unanimous in agreeing that there is no other choice. "What countries will be the first to have atomic power stations?" asked Belgium's Atomic Energy Boss Pierre Rychmans. "The Western European countries, which cannot afford to do otherwise . . . where the production of coal can't keep up with the needs of power stations." Out of foresight and necessity, Western Europe is putting its revived industrial brawn behind its scientific brains in the quest for nuclear power.

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