ThorEA Presentation 13 April Oxford Title: Imperial College Reactor Centre – Proposal for ADSR Test Bed Trevor Chambers

A Brief History of ICRC In 1961 UK Government announced programme to provide three low power reactors to be available to universities Consort Reactor designed jointly by Mechanical Engineering Department of IC and GEC Ltd – commenced in 1962 Consort commenced operation in April 1965 Office building containing radiochemistry labs adjoining reactor hall completed in 1971 Used for over 40 years for research and teaching in reactor physics, reactor engineering, neutron physics, radiochemistry, activation analysis and radioisotope production

Basic Consort Reactor Data Swimming pool type Moderated, cooled and partially shielded by light water 24 fuel elements each containing 16 plates of enriched uranium High purity Aluminium cladding Maximum power 100kW Controlled by four control rods Main biological shield of concrete Various beam facilities enable samples to be irradiated within core from seconds to hours Rabbit systems exists to transfer samples direct to radiochemical labs if required

Recent Operational History Calibration facilities for neutron detectors Production of isotopes and sources Trace element detection and analysis Teaching and Training Shutdown pending NDA Site designation and final decommissioning on 31 March 2008 Review of further potential uses carried out May to Sept 09 following NDA non-designation Revised PSR June 09 Re-commenced operations Nov 09 Currently being used for commercial work and training

Current Strategy Operate for next two to three years whilst preparing for decommissioning Explore further training, commercial and research possibilities Continue negotiations with NDA regarding final decommissioning Decide long term strategy ie further use or decommissioning

Possibilities for ADSR Test Bed Basic scheme for test bed considered Spallation target locations Accelerator type and location Potential experimental programme Timescales Cost Potential to support prototype ADSR programme Basic principle to convert CONSORT to ADSR test bed has NII support subject to safety case approval

Reactor Cross Section showing Central Spallation Target Location

Plan View showing Central Spallation Target Location

Plan of Core showing Alternative Spallation Target Locations

Accelerator Location and Type

Potential Experimental Programme Assess optimum sub-criticality using control rods and current fuel Assess use of multiple spallation targets Assess suitability of different spallation target materials Assess transmutation possibilities Assess Thorium fuel designs Assess control of Thorium fuelled ADSR Assess potential to load follow with Thorium ADSR PIE of fuel and targets Potential to test ns-FFAG when built

Timescales and Ball Park Cost Estimated base cost of £50M to deliver the programme

Potential to Support Prototype ADSR Programme Cost effective solution to provide: early data to feed into prototype design details such as spallation targets, fuel designs, core layout, level of sub-criticality data to assess transmutation possibilities and hence core arrangement data to assist design of reactor control systems confidence to commercial backers and government