Energy Production Demonstrator for Megawatt Proton Beams

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel energy production concept using proton beams hitting heavy metal targets, aiming to produce more energy than consumed, with simulations identifying optimal conditions and addressing safety concerns.

Contribution

It introduces the Energy Production Demonstrator concept and evaluates its feasibility and efficiency through detailed simulations for the first time.

Findings

Proton energy range of 2-4 GeV is optimal for energy gain.

A 1 mA proton beam can produce 1 GW thermal power.

Core meltdown risk identified, with mitigation strategies proposed.

Abstract

A preliminary study of the Energy Production Demonstrator (EPD) concept - a solid heavy metal target irradiated by GeV-range intense proton beams and producing more energy than consuming - is carried out. Neutron production, fission, energy deposition, energy gain, testing volume and helium production are simulated with the MARS15 code for tungsten, thorium, and natural uranium targets in the proton energy range 0.5 to 120 GeV. This study shows that the proton energy range of 2 to 4 GeV is optimal for both a natU EPD and the tungsten-based testing station that would be the most suitable for proton accelerator facilities. Conservative estimates, not including breeding and fission of plutonium, based on the simulations suggest that the proton beam current of 1 mA will be sufficient to produce 1 GW of thermal output power with the natU EPD while supplying < 8% of that power to operate the accelerator. The thermal analysis shows that the concept considered has a problem due to a possible core meltdown; however, a number of approaches (a beam rastering, in first place) are suggested to mitigate the issue. The efficiency of the considered EPD as a Materials Test Station (MTS) is also evaluated in this study.