Evening star., 1947-02-09

!: Canada Tests
/ Atom Quietly
J Peace Uses for Energy
); Explored, but Not
'Publicized
! By Harry T. Montgomery
AWA.-Canada and the
United States, the only two known
countries with plants for production
Of the final product from which
atomic energy is derived, are CO.
operating in this field today, but
with nearly as much secrecy as dur
ing the war.
Chagrined at disclosure of certain
atomic secrets to the Russians dur
ing the war, Canadians have taken
extensive precautions to prevent
leakage of information now.
They feel also that they have a
new eminence in the international
field because they possess the worlds
second largest proved deposit of
uranium, basic atomic raw
material, and share with the United
States and Britain the knowledge
to convert it into atomic energy.
Canada disclaims any intention to
develop atomic energy for the manu-
facture of weapons, and the knowl-
edge how to make atomic bombs
continues to rest-as far as is know
with the United States alone.
In general, Canada's researches
parallel, or run short of, those in
the United States. But Canada's s
effort remains-also as far as is
known-the worlds second greatest.
| Built for -PIutonium.
Canada,s budget for atomic energy
is-about $500, 600 a year, most of
this going into operation of the
pilot plant at Chalk River, Ontario,
the heart of the Dominion's atomic
energy project. Canada spent $780,
O0c, 900 on atomic energy during the
war, of which $20000,0O0 went into
construction of the Chalk River
plant.
This plant was built to produce
plutonium, the explosive material in
the atom bomb, by the aid of heavy
water. This process is different
from that used in the United States,
where graphite is used.
The government in August, 1945,
explained that the basic process
at Chalk River was production of
fission in uranium 235 by a slow
neutron.
Whether the plant Is actually pro-
ducing plutonium is moot question.
While it is presumed this, stage has
been reached, the Canadians will
not disclose whether it has or not.
The plant was begun during the
war with the help of United States
scientists, and two of them are at
Chalk River now.
The most enlightening glimpse of
some of the results of Canada'S
atomic research was given few
days ago by DR.. G. j. Mackenzie,
president of the National Research
Council, government agency through
which all the Dominion's atomic
work is channeled. t.
Replying to Government COM
mission which had asked him about
the possible future competition
which atomic energy might offer to
coal, DR.. Mackenzie indicated that
research has shown that its appli-
cation will be slow. For five years,
he estimated, there will be no in
dustrial use of atomic power except
on a pilot plant scale (such as at
Chalk River) for purely expert
mental purposes.
Use Limited for Decade.
In 10 years, according to his time
table, there is likely to be only linn
tied use under special circumstances,
where cost is not a consideration.
In this period, he said, atomic power
might be used for military purposes,
rockets to the moon, very long-range
aircraft, naval uses and supply OF
power to remote areas such as the
Far North.
| Fifteen years would bring con-
siderable decrease in costs, he esti-
mated, with industrial uses begin
ming to develop but with the price
still too high to affect coal.
In 20 years costs might get down
to approximate coal or hydroelectric
power. In general, he said, coal
''has nothing to fear in the next 10
years, and very little in the next %" /"
Uranium, as far as Is known, re-
mains the basic material of atomic
research. Canada's proved supply
of this material in the Great Bear
Lake region in the Far Northwest
is second only to that of the Belgian
Congo. The government has taken
over all uranium mining.
Research also is being conducted
at Chalk River in the use of thorium
as a starting point for the produc-
ton of active material. This exists
in larger quantities than uranium,
and Canada long ago banned its
export. This is low-grade RADIO
active substance now being produced
in increasing quantities.
Politically. Canada Is conducting