Speaker
Description
Particle accelerators typically use multiple times more electrical energy than the kinetic energy of the accelerated particles, resulting in low plug to beam efficiencies. The resources required for such machines are also substantial. Considering these points, we present a multifaceted approach with which we can calculate both the carbon emission impact for production and operation of particle accelerators, as well as the relative scarcities of materials used and their possible radioactivation during a lifecycle. To demonstrate a comprehensive use case, we apply these methods to the EcoCyclone permanent magnet cyclotron concept and compare to a normal-conducting coil powered cyclotron with the same output particle energy: the IBA Cyclone® Kiube. We find the two machines produce similar lifetime carbon emissions where the electricity supply is more carbonised, but caveats such as differing impacts of different material sourcing apply. We discuss how the calculated impacts may change over time, noting increasing electricity cost with decarbonisation, and argue these analyses should be performed during the design phase of all new accelerators.
| Paper status | Proceeding files received |
|---|