Haigerloch research reactor

Haigerloch research reactor
Reproduction of the reactor in the Atomic Cellar Museum
Coordinates	48°22′2″N 8°48′15″E / 48.36722°N 8.80417°E / 48.36722; 8.80417
Construction and Upkeep
Construction Began	End of February 1945
Shutdown date	April 24th 1945
Technical Specifications
Fuel Type	Heavy water reactor

The Haigerloch research reactor was a German nuclear research facility. It was built in a rock cellar in Hohenzollerischen Lande, Haigerloch early in 1945 as part of the German nuclear program during World War II.

In this last large-scale experiment of the uranium project with the name B₈ or B-VIII, as in previous piles, a finite nuclear chain reaction via neutron source and measured. Natural uranium was used as fuel and heavy water, graphite, and light water were used as moderators. The criticality of the chain reaction was not achieved; the plant was also not designed for operation in a critical state, and the term reactor often used for it today^{[by whom?]} is therefore only applicable to a limited extent. Later calculations showed that the reactor would have had to be about one and a half times the size to become critical.

The American Special Alsos unit found the facility on April 23, 1945, and dismantled it the following day. The scientists involved were captured and the materials used were flown out to the United States. Today, the Atomic Cellar Museum is located at the former site of the reactor.