1. ThorEA Science Minister Report
Giles Hodgson

2. Background to the Science Minister Project
May 2009 UK Science Minister, Lord Drayson, visited Daresbury
Heard about, and interested in, Thorium powered Accelerator Driven Sub-critical Reactors (ADSR)
Subsequently asked STFC and ThorEA for ‘business case’ for funding research into enabling technologies (accelerators)
Research would build upon ‘CONFORM’ programme ns-FFAG

3. The Report Outlines The Stages Proposed
LOKI
Low key 35MeV linear accelerator injector - high reliability and high (mA) currents
2-3 years
Stage 2:
FREA
High reliability, high current ns-FFAG system to take 35MeV protons from LOKI to an energy of 380MeV.
+3-4 years
Stage 3:
THOR
600MWe thorium fuelled ADSR driven by
LOKI+FREA type system(s) with additional ns-FFAG(s) to take proton energies to 1GeV.
+7 years

4. Potential Collaborators Are Being Identified …
Stage 1:
LOKI
Academics
Companies with similar Accelerator research interests
Stage 2:
FREA
Research Organisations
Companies with interests in accelerators for Power
Reactor Developers
Stage 3:
THOR
Accelerator Builder
Utilities
Civil Engineering Companies
Reactor Manufacturers

5. … And Alternative Paths Considered
Stage 1:
LOKI
Stage 2:
FREA
Stage 3:
THOR
High Criticality levels to reduce accelerator power
Build 35MeV linear accelerator injector
Evaluation/design and
assessment of FFAG
Building of FFAG
Consideration of
Alternatives for THOR
(RCS/LINAC)?
Build 1GeV ns-FFAG
Or RCS / LINAC
Alternative paths build confidence by demonstrating there is a high probability of success

6. The Investment Needed is Outlined
Stage 1:
LOKI
Time scale: 2-3 years
~£20M
Stage 2:
FREA
Time scale: +3-4 years
~£40M
Stage 3:
THOR
Time scale: +7 years
ns-FFAG ~£60M
ADSR ~£1-2bn
% £ Private
% £ Public

7. The Benefits are Highlighted
Stage 1:
LOKI
Stage 2:
FREA
Stage 3:
THOR
Accelerator know-how
Transferable
Skilled, High
Value, Workforce
Medical
Applications
Sustainable
Low CO2
Electricity
ahead of
GenIV
Developments
Pure Science
Exports
Accelerator IP
Thorium fuel technology

8. The Report has 8 Main Sections
Introduction
The Vision - UK as Technological leader
Technological challenges - and opportunities
ThorEA proposal - research and development proposed, investment required
UK competitive advantages – why we should do this here
Outcome scenarios – technical developments foreseen
'Return on Investment' for UK plc
Conclusion & Recommendation

9. (technology delivery)
Potential Outcome
Accelerator/
component
manufacturers
Cockcroft
Institute
Centre for Applied
ADSR Studies
(technology delivery)
STFC
Other
Organisations
DBIS
ADSR
Industry
Nuclear R&D
(eg NNL)

10. We Welcome your Comments
Collaborators
Contacts
Details of relevant research
Gaps seen
Comments on approach
Contributors to report