The Rotary Balita no. 797 (May 24, 1956)

Exploding atoms will generate electricity in the new power plant proposed by an American electric company in New York City. Within three years famed Times Square, the heart of the greateity, may sparkle with atomic electricity. The atomic furnace which has been chosen by New York City's Consolidated Edison Company is a "pressurized water reactor" furnace, used also by the submarine "Nautilus." This type of furnace has water circulating throughout its core. The circulating water slows down the atomic fragments so that they will keep the reaction going, and removes the heat. Outside the core, the pressurized hot water turns a second water supply into steam for the turbines. How safe will the new plant be? Pressurized water reactors cannot blow up. Despite this furnace's built-in gentleness, however, its designers plan to treat it with extreme caution. They will surround it with control upon control, meter upon meter. Most of the controls will be entirely automatic, and only a small crew- a dozen or so men will be needed to maintain the plant. Overall operating costs compare favorably with conventional plants. This atomic furnace will manufacture part of its own fuel by converting an element called thorium into uranium by the nuclear reaction. This use of thorium marks a curious turn of history for Consolidated Edison Company. In the 1890's it was one of the biggest consumers of thorium in the United States. It was used for the lamp mantles in those days of gas lamps. This proposed plant will generate 250,00 kilo-watts, enough electricity to supply 500,000 homes. Its erection is an example of cooperation between American industry and the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in developing atomic power for peaceful purposes. From FREE WORLD