[en] There is definitely a technical possibility that atomic power may gradually develop into one of the principal sources of useful power. If this expectation will prove correct, great advantages can be expected to come from the fact that the weight of the fuel is almost negligible. This feature may be particularly valuable for making power available to regions of difficult access and far from deposits of coal. It also may prove a great asset in mobile power units for example in a power plant for ship propulsion. On the negative side there are some technical limitations to be applicability of atomic power of which perhaps the most serious is the impossibility of constructing light power units; also there will be some peculiar difficulties in operating atomic plants, as for example the necessity of handling highly radioactive substances which will necessitate, at least for some considerable period, the use of specially skilled personnel for the operation. But the chief obstacle in the way of developing atomic power will be the difficulty of organizing a large scale industrial development in an internationally safe way. This presents actually problems much more difficult to solve than any of the technical developments that are necessary, It will require an unusual amount of statesmanship to balance properly the necessity of allaying the international suspicion that arises from withholding technical secrets against the obvious danger of dumping the details of the procedures for an extremely dangerous new method of warfare on a world that may not yet be prepared to renounce war. Furthermore, the proper balance should be found in the relatively short time that will elapse before the 'secrets' will naturally become open knowledge by rediscovery on part of the scientists and engineers of other countries

[en] The authors propose an overview of the history and development of atomic piles. They first describe the process of evolution from the discovery of radioactivity to the creation of the first atomic pile (emergence of nuclear physics, to draw usable energy from matter, to achieve a chain reaction from uranium fission, creation of atomic piles). They describe various aspects of a typical atomic pile, such as the Chicago's one, by describing operating conditions, practical achievements, the pile control, implemented safeties, power measurement, high power piles, pile lifetime, and personnel protection. Then, they address the use of experimental piles, notably for plutonium production (brief description of some piles, description of the Chatillon pile and of Bepo). They propose an overview of the current status of pile technology (consequences of first acquisitions, trends of evolution), and present some new piles (Lopo-Hypo piles, Los Alamos fast reactor). They give an overview of the main innovations published and implemented in 1952. Reprint of a paper published in 'Electricite' journal, March 1953, p. 3-11.

[en] After having published during the year 1953 several articles on atomic piles, written by engineers of the CEA, which gave very interesting information on the construction, the operation and the control of the pile, and at a time when all nations are considering the peaceful uses of atomic energy, this series of articles is concluded by a remarkable study of Mr. Kowarski, one of the most well-known specialists, on using atomic piles for the generation of electrical energy; after a review of uranium nuclear properties this paper gives a clear picture of the opportunities that are available today and those that may be considered in the near future: pure fissile matter combustion, pure fissile matter simultaneous combustion and production, power and plutonium production from natural uranium, natural uranium piles that solely produce power. Reprint of a paper published in 'Electricite' journal, Jan 1954, p. 3-8.

[en] The author first presents some generalities on the cooling of nuclear reactors, notably in the case of the Saclay pile. He evokes performed calculations, discusses the choice of the cooling fluid. In the next part, he more particularly addresses the case of the cooling circuit of the Saclay reactor: circulation of pressurised nitrogen for the cooling of active bars, blower, control of nitrogen flow rate, personnel safety, heavy water circuit for the cooling of the heavy water vessel. The author then addresses the installation electricity supply: sources, contactors and switches, control console, auxiliary equipment, engines and machines. He describes the operation of electrical installations on main power and in case of emergency-run. Reprint of a paper published in 'L'Onde Electrique' journal, no. 321, dec 1953.

[en] After a description of the origin of nuclear energy, the author presents and describes a chain reaction using natural uranium, the notions of flows and cross sections, the multiplication factor, critical dimensions and the reflector role, the evolution of this multiplication factor and the notion of reactivity. He briefly describes a typical pile and its auxiliary components (power measurement, power control, safety). He proposes an overview of the characteristics of a conventional high-power pile, of experimental piles, and of a plutonium-producing pile. He discusses double function piles, the partial multiplication of resources, the threshold value of the conversion factor in a thermal neutron pile, fast neutron piles, and describes the use of uranium as a source of energy. He finally briefly discusses the price of a thermal reactor which produces electricity and plutonium. Reprint of a paper published in 'L'Onde Electrique', no. 321, Dec 1953, p. 1-8.

[en] This conference raises an inventory of industrial applications and their perspectives for the year 1955. The speaker extrapolate for the forthcoming years the evolution of the role of the nuclear, the nuclear fuel, the different, types of atomic reactors and the state of advancement for different countries. (M.B.)

[en] The National Commission for Nuclear Energy issued a law, enforced on January 1, 1956, in its position as an organ of the Federal Executive Power, with its own personality and patrimony, and the judicial capacities necessary to carry out its purposes: for all matters pertaining this law, 'atomic materials' are those included in the Mineral Resources; uranium, thorium and in general all elements from which energy may be obtained in large amounts through nuclear reactions, based upon the judgement of the Commission. The objective of the National Commission for Nuclear Energy is to control, survey, coordinate, foster and carry out: a) Exploration and exploitation of atomic material deposits, as well as the deposits of all other material that may be of specific use for the construction of nuclear reactors. b) Possession of atomic material. c) Exports and imports of such material. d) Imports and exports of equipment for the use of nuclear energy. e) Trade and local transportation of these materials. f) The production and use of nuclear energy, intended primarily to satisfy national needs. g) Scientific research in the field of nuclear fission and all related technical and scientific disciplines

[en] This article first proposes a presentation of the tidal theory and outlines the roles of Newton (to know the phenomenon), Laplace (to understand it) and Poincare (to act on it). The author then describes some tidal characteristics, notice than they can be different in different locations of the planet in frequency (two tides a day here, one tide a day there, or negligible) as well as in amplitude. Then, he addresses the history of cycles of use of tides, notably by exploiting the filling and emptying of basins by means of turbines (simple effect dam, double effect dam, pumping). He evokes some historical projects of tidal power plants in France, and then more particularly the Rance tidal power plant project, the Chausey and Minquiers projects. Article published in 'L'Astronomie' journal, Vol. 69, Dec. 1955, p.449-469.

[en] The establishment of an atomic energy project is soon followed by the production of a variety of radioactive wastes which must be disposed of safely, quickly and cheaply. Experience has shown that much more thought has been devoted to the design of plant and laboratories than to the apparently dull problem of what to do with the wastes, but the nature of the wastes which will arise from nuclear power production calls for a change in this situation. We shall not be concerned here with power pile wastes, but disposal problems which have occurred in operation of experimental reactors have been serious enough to show that waste disposal should be considered during the early planning stages. (author)

[en] The present report draws up the balance on the present and estimable energy consumption for the next twenty years. The present energy comes mainly of the consumption of coal, oil products and essentially hydraulic electric energy. the market development comes essentially of the development the industrial activity and of new applications tributary of the cost and the distribution of the electric energy. To this effect, the atomic energy offers good industrial perspectives in complement of the energy present resources in order to answer the new needs. (M.B.)