Year
2008
Abstract
New Safeguards concepts were studied to improve material accountancy and inspection efficiency to reduce both inspector and operator workloads for international safeguards. These concepts are based on new and innovative tracking and traceability technologies, such as tracking nuclear materials using Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), tracing nuclear materials using the isotopic composition of minor actinides, and tracking nuclear materials by monitoring plant operational parameters. In the study, feasibility of using RFID in material accountancy and safeguards verification at the nuclear fuel cycle facilities was analyzed. In the previous study, investigation on effectiveness in the safeguards, contributions to efficiency and cost-benefits of the RFID were evaluated and primary study on safeguards concepts using innovative tracking and traceability technologies were performed. Further study on evaluation of basic characteristics of RFID, small scale field test of RFID at Ningyo-toge Uranium Enrichment Plant and investigation of radiation effects have been performed at JAEA Takasaki by irradiation testing of RFID tag using radioactive source.