Polytechnique Montréal's Slowpoke Reactor Turns 50: A New Era for Nuclear Research

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As Quebec's only operational nuclear reactor, Slowpoke at Polytechnique Montréal celebrates its 50th anniversary while aiming to revitalize nuclear studies in the province, supported by new funding and a growing interest in nuclear energy.

MONTREAL — The aptly named "Slowpoke" is Quebec’s sole operational nuclear reactor, generating a mere 20 kilowatts of thermal energy, sufficient to power six or seven toasters. This year marks the reactor's 50th anniversary, and scientists and administrators at Polytechnique Montréal are optimistic that it will catalyze a resurgence in nuclear science research in a province where such efforts have been dwindling. Slowpoke, which stands for Safe Low-Power Kritical Experiment, deviates from typical nuclear reactor images. It is characterized as a "sealed-container in-pool type research reactor," residing in a deep pool without cooling towers. A constant mechanical hum fills the small room at Polytechnique, where only the top of the reactor’s opening is visible, surrounded by blocks of orange-painted concrete. Over the decades, Slowpoke has served dual purposes: facilitating research and training generations of budding scientists. Nicolas Godbout, director of engineering physics at Polytechnique Montréal, emphasizes its legacy, stating, "I think that our biggest legacy is the hundreds of highly qualified personnel that have been formed, the expertise." He notes a pressing need to revitalize and sustain this expertise moving forward. However, this endeavor will require significant effort. Fifty years ago, Canada was a frontrunner in nuclear engineering. Polytechnique played a crucial role in this domain, with its personnel supporting the now-decommissioned Gentilly-2 nuclear power station in Bécancour, Quebec, and contributing to the research that informed the design of Canada's Candu reactors. Yet, Godbout points out that the current generation of researchers who once spearheaded the field are largely retired. In response, Foutse Khomh, Polytechnique's vice-president of research and innovation, indicates that the school is actively working to rejuvenate its nuclear studies. The university has secured a $1 million donation over five years from engineering firm AtkinsRéalis to establish a new nuclear engineering research chair, with hopes that additional industry players will also contribute. Amidst some societal opposition, there is a rekindled interest in nuclear energy, spurred by increasing energy demands and climate objectives. This trend is evident in Canada, where Ontario, Saskatchewan, New Brunswick, and Alberta entered into an agreement in 2022 to advance small reactor development. Recently, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced plans to construct two large reactors in the northwest of the province by 2042. Khomh highlights that nuclear research extends beyond energy applications, encompassing various fields, including medicine and mineral exploration. "Regardless of the energy choices made, our role as a university is to ensure that we train the engineers ready to meet society's demands," he said, adding that the institution aims to recruit five new professors in the coming years. Experts at Polytechnique assert that the Slowpoke reactor remains a valuable asset for research and training, despite its age. Currently, it is utilized for quality assurance purposes, measuring elements in various products and materials through a method known as neutron activation analysis, according to reactor manager Darren Hall. This process involves placing samples into the reactor, rendering them lightly radioactive, and subsequently analyzing the emitted radiation to quantify different elements within the materials. Hall illustrates this by comparing it to reading the nutritional information on a cereal box. The reactor's capabilities include detecting hazardous materials like arsenic in recycled plastics and measuring critical minerals in mining samples. Furthermore, Hall assures that the low-power reactor is equipped with safety features, including an automatic shutdown mechanism if it reaches a specific temperature. While Polytechnique's reactor celebrates its 50th anniversary, Hall notes that it is not the oldest in Canada; McMaster University’s reactor in Hamilton has been operational since 1959. "We still have about 25 years left of fuel, so we could operate for the next 25 years," Hall concludes.

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