STATUS REPORT OVERVIEW
DBI Operating Company
DBI Assets Status
by H.A. Dauvergne
- As of May 2013 –
Brief History
Dauvergne Bros. was incorporated one year before my 4½ years of engineering exposure at U.C. Berkeley ended. The year was 1965.
The company was divided in later years into DBI R&D and DBI Services, where we sold services to pay ourselves. The services division was closed in early 1987. The company was closed from 1987 to 1990. During those most difficult years, I never lost hope for DBI to come back, which it did in early 1991. Sales of personal assets and loans kept the company solvent from 1991 to 2009.
Administrative Support Challenges
It is my intention in this report to be as open as I can possibly be. Therefore, I herein state with no reservations, that all of the technical endeavors the company has undertaken, since the DT Engine (Ford Motor) up to the present, have been a technical success. Nevertheless, we have been challenged historically with administrative support in nearly all phases of the developments. Fortunately, in the last few years, the situation has largely improved. The improvement has been achieved by the division of specific tasks, where work for DBI is performed by independent contractors. The DBI leadership is being assisted by outside support (contractors) to facilitate the present staged funding effort by the Canadian entity Thorium Power Canada, Inc. (“TPC”).
Evolution of DBI Reactors under Direction of H.A. Dauvergne
1970-1977—Analysis of early studies to create a subcritical assembly based upon a LINAC type of proton source. Said proton source, striking a target produces a neutron flux that creates a subcritical assembly using thorium.
1977-1984—The association of Ford Laboratories, in direct connection with its founder, Dr. Franklin Ford. The specific direction of the research was the analysis of potential neutron sources that can be utilized in a core assembly fueled mostly with thorium.
1984-1990—H.A. Dauvergne gradual, major reversal. After recovering from major losses, the reactivation of the project supports the gradual abandonment of LINAC in favor of a dual core reactor with one core operating at K-1 and the other operating below K-1.
1990-1996—U.C. Berkeley/Ford Labs interaction with emphasis on fission of thorium and conventional uranium as a new source of neutrons. Also, in those years, the use of ceramics and glass was initiated.
1996-2000—At this time, there was enough evidence that a core, graphite moderated and gas cooled (of certain parameters), could be built using near conventional cladding and conventional modes of mass flow circulation. The decision was made, at this time, to advance potential infrastructure for a reactor producing hydrogen for the aerospace industry.
2000-2004—With enough evidence and analytical support to build a reactor that utilizes Thorium, while managing the fuel resources in situ, and in preparation for an open forum, DBI Operating Company designed the reactor and sought support in fuel characteristics, cladding and potential in situ sintering of granulated fuels. At this time, we studied several ceramics in connection with major laboratories in the U.S. After considerable efforts on the part of many entities, DBI Operating Company decided to divide the effort as follows:
A. Site infrastructure to manage gamma emissions based upon a below-grade structure.
B. Thermal isolation of the core in a systematic manner
C. The use of conventional power recovery, utilizing gas to water heat exchangers (cartridge type).
2004-2006—The modular concept was born. After looking at all systems worldwide that could be used as a reference, DBI initiated a series of analytical models (32 in total), employing vented fuel pins and the removal of unwanted reaction gases. Production of sample hardware was initiated to support a symposium at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Although the above did not control the symposium content, the decisions and finding were enough to entertain potential involvement outside of the United States, and to demonstrate the feasibility of using advanced computations for the systematic replacement of U-238 with Th-232.
2006-2008—Civil engineering started followed by vendor selection, including a potential manufacturer of an all-ceramic cup to replace conventional cladding. Fuel geometries were further studied with the Colorado School of Mines.
2008-2009—Potential site selection, along with an insurance system, was initiated. In the same year, the “breed and burn” concept was born and substantial advancement took place. Advances for the formation of DBI Chile matured during this period.
2009-2010—The “reactor handbook” and Powerpoint was created that allows the entire concept to advance if changes in management are necessary.
2010-2011—Additional finances were secured to advance fuel management optimization, parallel to permits, and DBI Ceramics manufacturing site was envisioned.
Technical Support – Some as independent contractors
• Senior Physicist —Has Doctorate, Master’s, and Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics, with several years as an industrial physicist and research scientist with a major governmental research center.
• Director of Procurement —Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering. Spent 10 years with Boeing in their engineering department. Holds a Doctorate Degree in an unrelated field.
• Director of Operations —Has a Bachelor’s Degree in Aviation Business Administration, with 8 years of experience as a Licensed Stock Broker at Charles Schwab & Company.
• Senior Mechanical Engineer —The potential candidate has a Doctorate Degree in Mechanical Engineering, a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Physics. Extensive experience working with the Dept. of Energy and its national laboratories, the Dept. of Defense, NASA and its technical centers.
• Executive Assistant / Project Manager —The potential candidate has a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, with more than 30 years of experience in business and project management, personnel management, marketing, and public relations.
• Risk Analyst —Has a Master’s Degree in Industrial Safety, a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, and a Master’s Degree in Nuclear Engineering. More than 20 years of experience in nuclear fission safety, energy technology safety, fusion experiment safety, and environmental and risk analysis for Lockheed Martin, Bechtel, and a major governmental laboratory.
• Civil Engineers —One of the potential candidates has specialized for 45 years in civil engineering, architectural and structural design, and land surveying.
• Ceramic Component Manufacturers —Has specialized for 26 years in fused glass manufacturing that will lend itself to the production of high-temperature ceramics.
• Sensors and Controls —The potential candidate has specialized for about 30 years in the process control industry.
• Satellite Communications —The potential candidate has specialized for more than 30 years in data transmission, including satellite communications.
• Publication Design —Has specialized for about 20 years in multimedia and graphic design.
For the Record
• DBI reactor research started in September 1977 and concluded in September 2000. This research was conducted with the assistance of major laboratories and universities associated personnel.
• DBI reactor development started in 2000 and ended in 2004
• DBI reactors’ Division of Liability protocol and Construction Hardware started in 2004 and continued through 2008.
• The incorporation of DBI - Chile (under Chilean laws) has been completed.
• All these stages of reactor development have created the basis for about 21 independent patents now in various stages.
• By-laws that intend to stop any potential abuse on the part of potentially unscrupulous CEO have been written.
• Transfer of all DBI assets owned by the present stakeholders has been identified.
• Taxation means of compliance from both the corporation and each stakeholder has been established.
• Enough material to go public, after the demonstration plant is built, is available.
• Procedure to sell components within international law regarding U.S. National security, relating to the proliferation of nuclear power and fissile material, has been developed.
• Accounting of historical use of proceeds, properly supported, is available.
• 40% ownership in DBI-Chile (of revenues) from any and all plants built and operated by DBI-Chile, has been implemented.
Comparatives
The comparisons circulating are supported by comparisons between DBI technical claims and apparent counterparts. We believe that, any technically-oriented reader intending to compare technology, will find that there is simply no comparison as related to new fuels, regulatory compliance, truly modular design, metallurgy, core access, waste management and, primarily, safety.
About the Nuclear Accident in Japan
As we stated in a previous report, although the events at the Japanese Fukushima plant have created some public uncertainty toward nuclear power’s rebirth, to us these sad events present validation of our concepts and give us more reference to intensify our efforts.
The Vision
The vision, as we all know, relates to the creation of an extension of U.S. nuclear industry that allows Thorium oxide to gradually replace natural Uranium (and its counterpart Plutonium), and gradually move away from U-238 processing.
Analytical Status
Toward the fulfillment of this vision we have looked in all directions. We have closely examined the U.S. effort to revive the nuclear industry and we have revised nearly all the present proposals from the U.S. and foreign entities in this regard.
Technical Status
In order to support TPC’s funding efforts, DBI Operating Co. is preparing the basis for the production of reports in the following areas:
• Control System
• Probabilistic Risk Assessment
• Fuel System
• Civil Engineering
• Seismic Engineering
• Off-Gases Control System
• Ceramic Sections
• A.S.M.E. Heat Exchangers
• A.S.M.E. Valve System
• Stakeholder Communications Program Status
• Turbopumps System
• Intellectual Property Update
DBI Stakeholder Percentage Assignment
DBI Operating Co. acknowledges its responsibility in front of the stakeholders that rightfully own the original (and evolved) technology. We have assigned each stakeholder their percentage of ownership and the right to exit the program after the major infusion of capital, should anyone desire to do so.
Taxation
The Operating Company has made provisions for taxation which must be an event taking place after the investment has produced a return to all of us. There are complex tax ramifications that relate to international investments. This is the reason that we have assigned but not distributed the company stock.
100-page DOE report status
Upon early recommendations received by DBI at an all day meeting at the Colorado School of Mines, two documents were necessary. Document #1 is a technical overview, which was produced and filed with the offices of Mr. Richard Goorevich, U.S. Dept. of Energy (January 2010). Document #2 will be filled with the law offices of Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw & Pittman in Washington, D.C. when the time that an export license for components is necessary.
DBI-Chile
DBI-Chile is now operating under Chilean laws, with three qualified partners, and with prestigious law offices in Washington DC and Santiago, Chile. The entity is able to provide compliance with local and international law. We believe these accomplishments are unparalleled to any U.S. entity in the business of reviving nuclear power (as of this date).
On behalf of the operating co., I would like to thank all those that have supported this most worthwhile effort, now, and in the past.
Most Sincerely,
Hector A. Dauvergne
DBI Founder
