Magnox facts for kids

Schematic diagram of a Magnox nuclear reactor

Magnox is a type of nuclear reactor designed to run on natural uranium. It uses graphite as a neutron moderator and carbon dioxide gas as a heat exchange coolant. The name Magnox comes from the magnesium-aluminium alloy used to clad the fuel rods inside the reactor. The Magnox was designed for producing both electric power and plutonium-239 for use in nuclear weapons.

Images for kids

An early design Magnox fuel rod
Calder Hall, United Kingdom – The world's first commercial nuclear power station. First connected to the national power grid on 27 August 1956 and officially opened by Queen Elizabeth II on 17 October 1956
Loading Magnox fuel at Calder Hall nuclear power station
The reactor buildings of Bradwell Magnox nuclear power station
Sizewell A Magnox nuclear power station
Chapelcross before the cooling towers were demolished in 2007