Fermi 1

Fermi 1, also known as the Enrico Fermi Atomic Power Plant, Unit 1, was an early commercial nuclear power plant located in Frenchtown Township, Michigan, near Detroit. It was notable for being one of the first large-scale demonstration breeder reactors built in the United States. The reactor was a liquid metal fast breeder reactor (LMFBR), using uranium oxide fuel and liquid sodium as a coolant.

Construction of Fermi 1 began in 1956 and the plant achieved initial criticality in August 1963. However, its operational history was marred by a partial core meltdown on October 5, 1966, caused by a blockage in the sodium coolant flow to several fuel subassemblies. This incident resulted in significant damage to the reactor core and necessitated a lengthy and costly investigation and repair process.

Although repairs were completed and the reactor was restarted in 1970, it operated for only a short period before being permanently shut down in 1972. The shutdown was attributed to a combination of factors, including the high cost of operation, technical challenges, and the availability of cheaper alternative energy sources.

Fermi 1 played a significant role in the development of nuclear power technology, particularly in the area of breeder reactors. Despite its operational difficulties, it provided valuable lessons and insights that influenced subsequent reactor designs and safety protocols. The site of Fermi 1 now hosts Fermi 2, a boiling water reactor that began commercial operation in 1988. The decommissioning of Fermi 1 was a complex and protracted process, completed over several years, involving the removal of radioactive materials and the decontamination of the site.