aiming to be the world first builder of commercial th-msr ...€¦ · for development toward the...

Aiming to be the World First Builderof Commercial Th -MSR Power Generator

www.ithems.jp

Tuesday, October 18, 2010Keishiro FUKUSHIMA Keishiro FUKUSHIMA Keishiro FUKUSHIMA Keishiro FUKUSHIMA : CEO of IThEMS: CEO of IThEMS: CEO of IThEMS: CEO of IThEMS

International Thorium Energy & Molten-Salt Technolo gy Inc.

IThEMS www.ithems.jpInternational Thorium Energy & Molten-Salt Technolo gy Inc.

I. About IT hEMS (International Thorium Energy & Molten-Salt Technology Inc.)

�Established on 18th June, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan.

�Aims to build the world’s first commercial

Thorium Molten-Salt Reactor (Th-MSR) Power

Generator miniFUJI, small sized Th-MSR Power

Generator, 10MW, in 5 years as first step.

�With Funding $300 million from investors.

�Through International Collaboration System.


II. International Collaboration Systemfor Development toward the world’s first commercial Th-MSR Power Generator

� Japan (IThEMS) has got basic technology and design, based upon Thorium Energy Concept FUJI (200MW), invented by Dr. FURUKAWA (Director of Laboratory of IThEMS), led from the achievement of Molten-Salt Reactor Experiment (MSRE) at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), US.

� MSRE operated from 1965 to 1969 at ORNL, without occurring accident.

1. Performance of MSRE at ORNL completed the technological foundations of Th-MSR.2. FUJI and miniFUJI concept adopts directly the technology and achivement of MSRE, namely there exists

already the basic technology and design through the operation and results of this MSRE (but without breeder reactor combined function, and with power generating function).

1. Basic Technology and Design


(1) With Czech Side

�IThEMS and Czech Side concluded and signed Memorandum on mutual joint collaboration in further development of MSR Technology including Thorium fuel use.

�IThEMS expects further technology development in such areas as

1 Fuel-Salt loop technology including necessary component tests,

2 Coolant-salt loop technology including necessary component tests,

3 Structural material development and some main components fabrication,

4 Main components design, fabrication and tests,5 Other relating items technology development.


2. Allied Technology Development


Memorandum between IThEMS and Czech Side



(2) With US Side

�IThEMS has got support in full-scale from

the scientists who experienced MSRE at

ORNL.

�IThEMS is how moving the conclusion of the

advisory contract with them.

2. Allied Technology Development



�Considering market size and flexibility of the private

development, miniFUJI is conveniently located in US.

� IThEMS is now looking for the US partners and

started to talk to US companies related using

Thorium fuel or developing small sized nuclear

reactor power generator.

3. The Construction Location of miniFUJI



� IThEMS is requesting investment of 300million US

dollars necessary for completion and operation of first

miniFUJI, for the time being.

� IThEMS is now talking on investment with IT-related

industries, electric vehicle industries, shipping industries,

venture capitals, sovereign funds such as oil-producing

countries, etc.

4. Funding


III. “Th-MSR” is New Energy Source Unlike the Conventional Nuclear power Generator

1. BackgroundConventional nuclear power generation = Uranium - Plutonium line = Danger of

"the Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons" to lead to nuclear armament.The Political consideration should be necessary for development under the control of the superpower (the United States and Russia).

Downsizing of nuclear power generation = Development of the downsizing (10MW – 300MW) of the conventional nuclear power generator in the US particularly

The technology and business development in the private sector has been progressed.

Th-MSR = There is no plutonium produced = only peaceful and non-military utilization, and downsizing (in miniFUJI 10MW, FUJI 200MW)

The development in the private sector is possible and desirable, andIThEMS aims to be the world first builder of commercial Th-MSR powergenerator through international collaboration.



(1) Nuclear proliferation and terrorism resistance:Because of no plutonium production from Th-MSR, unlike current solid Uranium fuel based reactors, it does not result in having the atomic bombs. Therefore, Th-MSR is very important for nuclear non-proliferation policy and path to make era of peace without nuclear weapon..

(2) Little high-level nuclear waste production and lower risk of environmental pollution:Compared with curren solid Uranium fuel based reactors, Th-MSR produces extremely little high-level nuclear waste. This advantage makes the risk of environmental pollution significantly lower.

(3) High safety-no severe accidents in principle an d practically:As Th-MRS is liquid fuel based reactor without having solid nuclear fuel rods, there is, in principle and practically, no possibility of severe accidents as occurred in Three Mile Island and Chernobyl before, which caused great risk of core meltdown and/or large radioactivity release.

Furthermore, operation of Th-MRS is conducted under normal pressure in normal pressured container, unlike under high-pressure in high pressured closed container for the current solid fuel based reactors, and even if molten-salt might be released from the container, it would be solid like glass with no response to air. Earthquake-resistance is also accordingly ensured. This provides us with superior safety characteristics compared with any other nuclear reactor systems.

(4) Thorium resources is much more abandant than Ur aniumFrom the fact that thorium resources exists over the world and its volume is more than 4 or 5 times of its Uranium, it is supposed that there is no risk factor of resources, unlike the situation of Uranium.

2. “Th -MSR”’s Good Points



(5) Economy in Th-MSR generation costIn Th-MSR , there is no fuel-assembly fabrication and replacement acquired. In addition, with almost none of the high-level nuclear waste produced, its chemical processing cost is resultantly low. Reactor construction cost is effectively low thanks to its simple structure. Lower fuel cost than Uranium due to Thorium in liquid. It is therefore considered that the power generation cost of Th-MSR will be significantly lower than that of current LWR (Light Water Reactor) by 30% or more at least.

(6) Small-size reactor can be easily accomodated, w hich can be globally deployed in the most appropriate manner and area.To cope with upcoming various requirement for small reactors to fit with their location nature, downsized compact Th-MSR is possible because of its simple structure, unlike current LWR.In case of LWR, economical efficiency needs large scale reactors, more than one million kW. On the contrary, the economical efficiency of Th-MSR can be sufficiently affordable with small sized reactors. This will ensure the development of new industry by constructing Th-MSR at remote areas or developing countries.

(7) Reprocessing spent fuel is easy, and less costl y:When Thorium is used for the fuel, a lot of fissile U (Uranium) 233 is produced, with accompaniment of strong gamma ray a lot. In case of solid nuclear fuel of Thorium, its reprocesing spent fuel will force to have much difficulties and high cost..On the contrary, in case of Th-MSR, U (Uranium) 233 becomes volatile by injecting fluorine gas into the liquid fuel so that U233 can be separated to make reprocessing easy for its reuse.

(8) As component technologies of Th-MSR already est ablished, its commercialization needs less time period and money:As basic and related component technologies have already developed, almost none of the key subjects needs to be developed. The commercialization of Th-MSR will be accordingly realized in the short period and less cost.



Th Molten-Salt Reactor （（（（liquid-fuel: no radiation damage）））） U Light-Water Reactor (solid fuel: radiation damage)

Thorium Fluoride (dissolved in molten fluoride salt) Uranium Oxide or MOX (solid)

Nuclear Prolif.(Plutonium Prod.)

WEAK feasibility(very SMALL amount Pu production)

◎STRONG feasibility(HUGE amount Pu production)

X

High-levelRadio-wastes

very SMALL amount Production ◎ HUGE amount Production X

Safety IReactor excursion

Principally no feasible (very low excess-reactivity)negative temperature coefficient

◎feasible (control-rods malfunction)

fuel rods failure X

Safety IIEarthquake-proof

STRONG. Simple low-pressure reactor-vesselReactor stop by the loss of fuel, which is chemical inert, and frozen as stable-glass. Fission-gases removed.

○

WEAK dangerous. High-pressure reactor-vesselCore-melt by coolant-loss. Fission-gases (Kr. Xe) release by failure

△

Reprocess ofSpent-Fuel

EASY. Dry processing: fluorination, electrolysis, extraction by molten salt or liquid metal. No fuel-rod fabri.

◎DIFFICULT & Expensive. Very complex plant, and Anxiety of re-criticality. Re-fabrication of fuel-rods & assembly.

△

Nuclear Resource Wide distribution. Popular . 3-4 times rich than Uranium ○ Localized-distribution. Poor. Easy monopolization. △

Small Reactor EASY & economical (no fuel-rod, simple) 10-300MWe ◎ DIFFICULT (complex struc. & fuel-manage.) 500-2000MWe X

Electric GenerationCost

LOW. Capital cost low (simple struc., operation & mainte.) No fuel fabri. & manag.. Low costs of chem. process., Radio-waste manag. & elec.-transportation (near users).

◎

HIGH. Capital cost high (complex struc., operation & mainte.) High costs of fuel-rod & assembly fabri. & manag., chem. process, radio-wastes, & electric-transportation.

△

3. Comparison of “Thorium Molten-Salt Reactor” and “Ur anium Light Reactor”



4. “Th-MSR” is “Liquid Fuel Furnace using Thorium”(1) "thorium” is the nuclear reactor fuel, but is not usable to atomic bomb = Only

for the peaceful and non-military purposes.

Nuclear resources

Element name

Natural abundance

Classification Fissile

Usage

Nuclear reactor fuel

Atomic bomb fuel

Natural Uranium

Uranium235

0.7%Nuclear material

Uranium235

○ ○

Uranium238

99.3%Fertile material

Plutonium239

○ ◎

Natural Thorium

Thorium232

100%Fertile material

Uranium233

◎ �



(2) All of “the Conventional Nuclear Reactors” has “Solid Fuel Furnace", on the contrary “Th-MSR” has “Liquid Fuel Furnace““Solid Fuel Furnace" has “Fuel Rod", but “Liquid Fuel Furnace" Does Not Have “Fuel Rod".

Form Fuel RodNuclear Reactor

Fuel material

Solid Fuel Furnace

Yes

Uranium Light Water Reactor

Mainly Uranium 235 oxide Produce Plutonium 239 oxide

Fast Breeder Reproduction of Plutonium 239 oxide for fuel

Liquid Fuel Furnace

No Th-MSR

Melt Thorium 232 Fluoride to Lithium Beryllium Fluoride Molten-salt (FLIBE), and

Realize Self-Sufficient of Fuel as Uranium 233 (but add Thorium 233 Fluoride for 1-2 years, and with additional small amount of Uranium 235 in the case of miniFUJI)


IV. From Solid Fuel to Liquid Fuel

Nuclear reactor was primarily developed for the military purpose in producing plutonium for atomic bombs manufacturing during World War II. The military purpose primarity remained unchanged for a long time during the continued Cold War. The peaceful utilization accordingly had not been a main stream during such a long period.

As a result, the concept that nuclear fuel of the reactor should be solid uranium oxide fuel has been well penetrated and established to almost all people, and even experts in nuclear reactor sectors completely forgot about the different concept of the thorium liquid nuclear fuel.

In terms of the national huge project such as nuclear power generation, change of direction is extremely difficult once the project policy established. Furthermore, as the specialily domain of the experts in nuclear reactor is analysis and control of the complicated nuclear reaction in closed nuclear fuel rods, their expertise will be fully useless in liquid reactor without fuel rods. It generally tends to have allergies and be reluctant to accept other concept like Th-MSR and finally comes to reject the idea of liquid fuel reactor. The consciousness barrier of the experts that "nuclear reactor shall be what the solid fuel is used in." has been greatest obstacle to the development of Th-MSR in which the liquid fuel to be used.

Why has the excellent Th-MSR power system been ignored for a long time? (1) Conciousness barrier of the experts in existing huge solid fuel based

nuclear energy industry:


IV. From Solid Fuel to Liquid Fuel

With regard to large amount of plutonium stockpile as resultant product from long period nuclear reactor's operation, with high-level nuclear waste as byproduct, this problem has been surely significant burden to be resolved to every country concerned.

Particular attention to Th-MSR is getting increased due to the fact that Th-MSR has no plutonium production, much less high-level nuclear waste and function of burning plutonium for its elimination.

Such idealistic new power generation system of Th-MSR begins to draw attention from various countries in the world, in view of the nuclear proliferation and terrorism resistance, and safe and stable supply of low cost clean energy which the world significantly demands.

Therefore, fortunately, the world is changing. Research and development of thorium molten-salt power plant is starting in Czech, Russia, France, US, Singapore and China.We have studied thorium molten-salt power plant technology solely in the world for more than 40 years. Based on the accumulation of technologies, IThEMS aims to realize the world's first thorium molten-salt power generator into practical use.

The present Uranium LWR based power generators will be replaced gradually to Th-MSR based power generators on the occasion that its 30-50 durable years is passed.

(2) The progressive paradigm shift is coming:


V. miniFUJI (10MW)

miniFUJI Design Specification (one example)

Thermal capacity 20 MWhNet electric generation 8.6 MWeThermal efficiency 43 %

1. Features of miniFUJI

Reactor vessel Diameter/Height 1800mm / 2100m mCore Radius/Height 300 mm / 900mmBlanket Thickness 200mm

Fuel Salt: Composition: 7LiF – BeF2 – ThF4 – 233UF471.5 – 16 – 12 - 0.47 mol%

Volume 45 literTemperature inlet 560 ̊C --- 700 ̊CFuel conversion ratio 0.58

Inventory: Fissile 233U 27 kgFertile Th 650 kgGraphite 8,800 kg


V. miniFUJI (10MW)


V. miniFUJI (10MW)

2. Development Expenditure for miniFUJI (supposed, and might be changed)

(million US dollars)items amount

1. Detailed design 39.6

2. Certification Experiment of Element Technology 100.7

　・Components & Instruments 13.7

　・Fuel-Salt Loop Technology 9.8

　・Coolant-Salt Loop Technology 7.8

　・Structural Material Development (irradiated) 11.5

　・Graphite Development (irradiated) 16.5

　・Salt Preparation & Chemical Processing 9.0

　・Reactor Mockup (High Temperatured Containment) 16.9

　・Remote Operation Technology 15.5

3. Reactor Construction & Operation 99.7

Development Cost Sum 240.0

Management Cost 60.0

Total Sum 300.0


V. miniFUJI (10 MW)

(1) Merchandise10MW miniFUJI ( targeting local electric power plant for servers in information industry, for charging electric

vehicles and shipping Fuel.) (2) Benefit Chart 1$=¥100

BASE Condition (Unit: M$=Hundred million yen)Retail price 60Production Cost 40 30SG&A earnings X 20interest 3% / y

Benefit Chart (Unit : M$)

Year 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10Unit Sales 3 15 50 100 150 200Unit Price 60 60 60 60 60 60

Sales Amount 180 900 3,000 6,000 9,000 12,000Producion Cost 40 40 35 35 30 30

Cost Price 120 600 1,750 3,500 4,500 6,000Total Gain 60 300 1,250 2,500 4,500 6,000

Development Cost 40 50 70 70 70SG&A 36 60 600 1,200 1,800 2,400

Business Profit -40 -50 -70 -70 -46 240 650 1,300 2,700 3,600Interest -1.2 -2.7 -4.9 -7.2 -8.8 -2

Current Earnings -41.2 -52.7 -74.9 -77.2 -55 238 650 1,300 2,700 3,600Tax （Assumption： Surplusｘ0.3） 71 195 390 810 1,080

After-Tax Income 167 455 910 1,890 2,520Cumulative benefit -41.2 -94 -169 -246 -300 -133 322 1,232 3,122 5,642

3. miniFUJI Business Plan


V. miniFUJI Business Plan

(3) Comparison of Electricity Prices

miniFUJI

USA

Japan

Power Cost（$/kWH） Selling Price($/kWH)0.061(note)

0.11

0.22

(note)1. Depreciation Cost 0.042$ / kWh2. Operation and Maintenance Cost 0.014$ / kWh3. Fuel Cost 0.002$ / kWh4. Waste Processing Cost 0.002$ / kWh5. Dismantle Cost 0.001$ / h6. Total 0.061$ / kWh


VI. Long-term Development Program ofTh-MSR Power Generator

2010 2015 2020 2025 2030I. “miniFUJI” (10MW)

Completion target2016

II. “FUJI” (200MW) Completion target

2020

III. “Accelerator MSR” DevelopmentCompletion target

2030

Th-MSR Nuclear Energy Synergetic System Completion· Huge thorium energy industry will appear.· Concern of exhaustion of energy reserves will be relieved by completion of Th-MSR recycle and

breeding system.


We Welcome All of You in Tokyo, Japan

Thank You Very Much for Your Attentionwww.ithems.jp

We offer ThEC 2011 or 2012 to be held in Tokyo , Japan

aiming to be the world first builder of commercial th-msr ...€¦ · for development toward the...

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