ThorEA - Towards an Alternative Nuclear Future.pdf

Chapter 3: An R&D Programme to secure a UK global lead in thorium-fuelled
ADSR technology
3.1 Towards the first thorium-fuelled ADSR –
the 2025 scenario
If the UK is to rise to the challenge of both creating and
supplying a world market for thorium-fuelled ADSR power
generation systems, it essential that all the underpinning
technology is put in place to build and commission a
demonstrator ADSR power station by 2025. This is a key date
as it places ADSR technology in the market place ahead of the
deployment of the proposed Generation IV reactor systems,
Figure 7. Schematic of a basic ADSR configuration (left) and ADSR core detail (right).
In its most basic form the demonstrator ADSR could consist of
a single high power proton beam transported to a spallation
target at the centre of the reactor core housing the fuel
elements. Preliminary design studies carried out by ThorEA
and others indicate that a “fast” rather than “thermal” ADSR
system may be preferable, in which case a spallation target of
molten lead or lead-bismuth eutectic could be made contiguous
with a molten lead or lead-bismuth moderator and coolant
system, simplifying both the spallation target and coolant
heating and circulation circuits. Additionally, ThorEA has shown
that, contingent upon the development of sufficiently compact
and low cost proton accelerators, multiple accelerators/
proton beams/spallation targets distributed within a single
ADSR core could be optimal. Such a innovative configuration
would, on the one hand, provide a more uniform spallation
neutron flux distribution within the core whilst on the other
mitigate against the risk of total loss of power should a single
accelerator driver lose its beam current.
thereby allowing a UK ADSR industry to compete in all
potential international nuclear markets.
Independent analyses by both ThorEA and Aker Solutions have
indicated that the demonstrator should be a medium sized
power station capable of supplying the Grid with 600MW of
electrical power. One potential configuration of such a system
is indicated in Figure 7:
It is feasible and realistic that, if initiated as a matter of
urgency, an extensive and coherent research and development
(R&D) programme could secure all underpinning technology
necessary to facilitate construction of the world’s first thoriumfuelled
ADSR power station in the UK by the target date of 2025.
However, in order to achieve this goal, it is clear that a R&D
strategy should be implemented that will ensure that several
technological options are incorporated and evaluated from
the very beginning of the programme. A suitably stringent
“gateway” or appraisal process for the whole R&D programme
at specific key points will then ensure a smooth route to a timely
and simultaneous delivery of all final technological objectives.
In this chapter, the scope and structure of the proposed
R&D programme, an estimate of the investment required to
meet the R&D objectives, and a management structure and
financial model that will deliver these objectives and capture
emerging intellectual property, are presented and discussed.
A report prepared by: the thorium energy amplifier association 21