The accelerator-driven thorium reactor power station

Abstract

Aker Solutions conceptually designed the accelerator-driven thorium reactor 600 MWe power station, an accelerator-driven, thorium-fuelled, lead-cooled fast reactor. Project objectives were to demonstrate the technical feasibility of the design to ensure a viable product. Aims were to apply established technology where possible, minimising research and development requirements, develop and protect intellectual property and align with Generation IV strategy. A business case demonstrates economic and market potential to stakeholders, and partners are being pursued to take the project through to successful completion. Thorium is an attractive alternative to uranium fuel, being more abundant and avoiding the need for enrichment. Additionally the accelerator-driven thorium reactor can burn waste actinides generated in uranium-fuelled reactors, providing sustainable energy for future civilisation. Choosing a sub-critical accelerator-driven system provides safe operating margins for the thorium fuel cycle. The proposed reactivity coefficient of 0·995 allows selection of an industrial-scale accelerator with commercial benefits which led to a novel solution for measurement and control of reactivity.