1. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 1 Experimental Verification of Thorium Breeder Based on MSR System by Miloslav Hron and Miroslav Mikisek Nuclear Research Institute Rez

2. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 2 Conclusions of the SPHINX (SPent Hot fuel Incinerator by Neutron fluX) Project presented by presented by Miloslav Hron ScientificLeaderof the SPHINX project 1997-2008 Scientific Leader of the SPHINX project 1997-2008and Miroslav Mikisek Scientific Secretary of the SPHINX project 1 Liblice, April 26-30, 2011

3. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 3 Historical roots of the first nuclear era 1939 discovery of the atomic nucleus fission reaction 1942 first nuclear reactor (solid natural uranium) started by Enrico Fermi team 1943 scientists warned to use the concept of solid fuel and U-Pu fuel cycle in global (industrial) scale, recommended to shift to concept of fluid fuel and Th-U fuel cycle 1950 Aircraft Nuclear Propulsion Program (MSR) 1954 first MSR 2,5 MW in ORNL, USA 1954 first nuclear power station 5 MW in Obninsk, Russia 1957 first commercial PWR (60 MW e ) in Shippingport, USA 1960 MSRE in ORNL reached critical state 1965-9 MSRE reached 8 MW 1970 MSBR shifted to Th-U cycle 1972 project of MSR 1000 MW 1979 Three Mile Island NPS crashed, nuclear laws of president J. Carter 1989 renaissance of ADS transmuter 1992 ADS in combination with MSR (Dr Charlie Bowman in LANL) 1995 Drs Nuyi (China) and Hron (Czech Rep.) participated in Dr Ch. Bowman team

4. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 4 Basic Concepts of MSBR  Autonomous Critical MSBR  Subcritical MSBR with External Neutron Source (Accelerator + Target) – ADS, ADTT  Subcritical Inserting Zone (Incinerating and/or Breeding Channel) Inserted into Driving Core (e.g. WWER or FR)

5. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 5 The LR-0 core charged by shortened (125 сm) fuel assemblies WWER-1000

6. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 6 Fuel assemblies inventory of the LR-0 reactor Enrichment (U235)2%3%3.3%3.6%4.4% Number of assemblies2436198 136 mm 236 mm (Grenoble 260 mm) (Berkeley 250 mm) The size of an assembly

7. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 7 x[mol%] LiF+y [mol%] BeF 2 +z [mol%] NaF + u [mol%] ZrF 4 + w [mol%] (HN) F 4 1.x=y=0; z=100; u=w=0 2. x=100; y=z=u=w=0; 3. x=60; y=0; z=40; u=w=04. x=50; y=z=0; u=50; w=0 Principle properties of the BC1100 inserting zone graphite fluorides a)a)a)a) b)b)b)b) c)c)c)c)

8. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 8 The experiments with various inserting zones BC-1100 А) С) В) Н А) = 43,70 сm Н В) = 50,00 сm Н С) = 49,55 сm 3,6 % U235 enrichment 4,4 % U235

9. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 9 The ВС 1100 inserting zone while charged into the LR-0 driving core

10. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 10 Elementary module of the SR-0 experimental reactor - double purpose MSR WWER-1000 fuel assembly graphite liquid fuel (molten fluorides of fissionable metals ) molten fluorides of non- fissionable metals (fission products or thorium) 80 mm

11. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 11 Radial Distribution of Neutron Group Fluxes in the SR-0 Elementary Module Radial Distribution of Neutron Group Fluxes in the SR-0 Elementary Module

12. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 12 FANTOM for the irradiation by hard spectrum of the NG 2 neutron generator

13. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 13 Radial Distribution of Neutron Group Fluxes in FANTOM

14. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 14 30 November 2008 AHTR Test Assembly supplied The design of the test assembly is a hexagonal block with a pitch of 23.6cm with 19 channels drilled for uranium pins surrounded by salt. Fuel pins are.753 cm diameter (without cladding) 3.6% enriched and clad with zirconium alloy. Initial design uses 60% natural LiF and 40% NaF salt. Subsequent experiments will use prototypical salt composition

15. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 15 The BC-1900g (19 graphite assemblies with cylindrical channels filled in by graphite spheres)should be supplied in 2009 PWR 3.6%U235 PWR 4.4%U235 0.236 m  0.198 m graphite  0.060 m (sphere) fluorides

16. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 16 Long - Term R&D Program EROS E01 Static Experiments with Various Fluoride Compositions at Room Temperature 2012-13 E02 Kinetic Experiments at Room Temperature Modeling Flowing of Fluid Fuel by Movement of Blocks Containing Fluoride Compositions 2013-14 E03 Static and Dynamic Experiments with Cirсulated Molten (by Electric Heating) Salts at Temperatures up to 250 o C 2014-15 E04 Static and Dynamic Experiments with Cirсulated Molten (by Electric Heating) Salts at Temperatures up to 650 o C 2015-16

17. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 17 Oklo – Gabon 1972 Theoretical hypothesis 1956 Japanese physicist P. Kuroda

18. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 18 Natural Nuclear Reactor in Oklo (Gabon) 2.10 9 years ago Natural Nuclear Reactors in Oklo (Gabon) Natural Nuclear Reactors in Oklo (Gabon) Supposed isotopic composition of Uranium 2.10 9 years ago Age of the Earth [billions of years] Ratio of number of atoms U 5 and U 8 years nowadays

19. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 19 ~Half of the elements heavier than Iron (including the Rare Earths) form gradually in Large Stars in the course of stellar lives:~Half of the elements heavier than Iron (including the Rare Earths) form gradually in Large Stars in the course of stellar lives: –Slow rate of adding neutrons to a nucleus –Able to build elements only up to Bismuth However a Supernova’s huge neutron bursts synthesize during the first ~15 minutes of Supernova Detonation:However a Supernova’s huge neutron bursts synthesize during the first ~15 minutes of Supernova Detonation: –~Half of All Elements Heavier than Iron that exist –All of the Actinides and other Heavy RIs ( RadioIsotopes ) Once blasted deep into Space, many RIs & Actinides undergo Spontaneous Fission:Once blasted deep into Space, many RIs & Actinides undergo Spontaneous Fission: –Enriches planet-forming Stardust with additional Rare Earth Elements –REEs comprise ~40% of all Primordial Fission Products. Kim L Johnson ChemInnovar 01 Nov 2010 19 The Sustainable Chemistry & Energy of Thorium

20. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 20 REEs: "Chem. Magnets" for Thorium * Early Molten Earth crystallized from the base of the Mantle upward. *  Because REEs couldn’t co-crystallize along with the main silicates of the Mantle ( Ca - Mg - Fe +2 -SiO 3 ), Rare Earths were forced – while yet molten – ever closer to the thin new Crust.  During the journey upward, the migrating REEs gathered (via similar physical chemistry) and pulled along practically all of the mantle’s Thorium and much of its Uranium, heavy Alkali Metals ( K / Rb / Cs ) and other metals that couldn’t crystallize easily with the Mantle. blue  Before 30 Ma old, the Mantle began crystalliz- ing into different phases (various blue shades). Also forming just beneath the thickening new Crust was a separate, still-molten phase, highly enriched in REEs. REE-Rich Region This REE-Rich Region is shown in Red in Figure (A). ( A)* Earth <30 Millions Yrs Old  Some time after ~30 Ma however, Earth’s primordial crust cooled, lost buoyancy and began to subduct into the now-solid Mantle (nevertheless still plastic and able to flow) REE-Rich Region  The subducting Crust dragged Earth’s early REE-Rich Region, now solidified and strongly adhering, deep into the Mantle. Kim L Johnson ChemInnovar 01 Nov 2010 20

21. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 21 REEs: “Magnets" for Thorium Kim L Johnson ChemInnovar 01 Nov 2010 21 (B) Earth Today REE-Rich Region D” REE-Rich D” Most likely location today for Earth’s early REE-Rich Region is the Core-Mantle Boundary. Labeled by geologists D” (double-prime), REE-Rich D” reportedly : Iron Core  Lies ~ 2700 km under the Crust, resting atop the Iron Core. REEs R.I.s  Contains ~ 40% of Earth’s Inventory of REEs and R.I.s (RadioIsotopes). D” D” Green D”  Generates ~ 9 TW of Heat (~ ¼ of that which leaves Earth’s interior). This makes D” the most Thermogenic Structure within the Earth. Averaging ~ 200-km thick, each area of D” deforms in response to what the Mantle above is doing: Subducting Tectonic-Plate Mantle (cooler, sinking Green material of Fig. B) make regions of D” lying below the slabs thinner and thus cooler. stretch D” D” Mantle Plumes (hot, rising zones under Hawaii, etc) stretch the height of D” beneath. This makes D” under mantle plumes generate even more heat and sustains our planet’s many hot spots with strong convection.

22. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 22

23. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 23 AGENDA U.S.-CZECH REPUBLIC TECHNICAL WORKSHOP January 24-26, 2012 Prague, Ministry of Industry and Trade January 24, 2012 Fluoride Volatility Research and Development January 25, 2012 Molten Salt Reactivity Experiments January 26, 2012 Visit of Fluorine Chemistry labs (Fluoride volatility technology) and LR-0 experimental reactor (Molten salt reactivity experiment) U.S. Participants: Steve Butler, Senior Economic Officer, U.S. Embassy Prague Colette Brown, DOE/Office of Nuclear Energy Jim Bresee, DOE/Office of Nuclear Energy David Holcomb, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Terry Todd, Idaho National Laboratory Jess Gehin, Oak Ridge National Laboratory Ehud Greenspan, University of California-Berkeley Benoit Forget, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Randy Sheele, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Thad Adams, Savannah River National Laboratory Lee Peddicord, Nuclear Power Institute, Texas A&M University

24. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 24 Charles Forsberg (MIT) Lin-wen Hu (MIT), Per F. Peterson (UCB), and Todd Allen (UW) Presenter: Benoit Forget (MIT) January 25 th, 2012 US - Czech Republic Technical Workshop Prague, Czech Republic Fluoride-Salt-Cooled High-Temperature Reactors for Power and Process Heat NEUP - Integrated Research Project

25. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 25 Critical experiments needs Multiple core configurations with and without Li-7 coolant –Replace Li-7 by water Add different volume of graphite External row with graphite and Li-7 to evaluate reflection properties M.Hron et al, ICAPP 2009

26. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 26 Dear foreign members of ITMSF. I visited China last month to have meetings with scientists in SINAP (Shanghai Institute of Applied Physics). As all of you know, China announced to start the construction of experimental MSRs, starting from zero-powered MSR in 2015, 2MWt MSR, 10MWe(electric)-MSR and 100MWe-MSR. Their approach is very impressive for me, because there are not only studying ORNL design results, but also they are investigating related areas in order to know why ORNL made final selection among many different designs. This approach is to acquire "Know-why", and this is more important thing than to acquire "Know-how". When I heard their plan in 2010, I was not confident of their success at first. But, after 5-times meetings with them so far, I became confident of their success, because of their firm process. By the way, in last week, I received an invitation letter from India, which says that India is starting MSR program. India has been studying solid-fuel Thorium reactors long time, so I was very much surprised by this news. They might recognize that thorium utilization is best in MSR than in solid-fuel reactor. MSR was in glacial period (ice-freezing period) for the last 40-years. It is unbelievable that prof. Furukawa has been promoting MSR under such severe conditions. His heat and effort might break the glacial period. I think we can declare that "Long-time glacial period ended, or is ending at least". I hope I can inform a good progress in Japan too. Best regards. Ritsuo Yoshioka president of "International Thorium Molten-Salt Forum (ITMSF) 2012-April-09, Tokyo

27. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 27 Summary-conclusions The EROS program has been the first step in a complex research of netronic characteristics with specific materials and processes being employed in MSR transmuter as well as Th breeder In the time being, there have been signed or are under preparation bilateral agreements on a collaboration in the given fields between Czech Republic and some foreign partners (US, Russia, Japan, Australia and probably will be agreed with China in May, 2012 ) The program has been reported regularly to the MSR SSC of the global project of the development of the reactors of the GEN IV April 9-12, 2012 Project SPHINX is useful for Czech nuclear power program and simultaneously for the international co-operation in that field On the bases of these agreements the SPHINX Project should be going on as soon as possible in the favor of the human kind

28. Nuclear Research Institute Rez, Czech Republic SPHINX Liblice, April 9-12, 2012 28 THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION