Implementation of Transparency Technologies in an Operational Plutonium Facility in the United States

Year
2005
Author(s)
Tracy R. Wenz - Los Alamos National Laboratory
D.W MacArthur - Los Alamos National Laboratory
D.W MacArthur - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Kate Frame - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Kate Frame - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Kate Frame - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Phillip A. Hypes - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Philip Hypes - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Philip Hypes - Los Alamos National Laboratory
T.R. Wenz - Los Alamos National Laboratory
T.R. Wenz - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Richard Siebelist - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Richard Siebelist - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Richard Siebelist - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Duncan MacArthur - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Gary Herrera - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Gary Herrera - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Gary Herrera - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Caroline Mason - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Caroline Mason - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Caroline Mason - Los Alamos National Laboratory
Abstract
A major issue in international safeguards of nuclear materials is the ability to verify that processes and materials in nuclear facilities are consistent with declaration. One technique that aids in resolving this issue is the presentation of identical detector signals to an international inspector and the domestic user of a detector system. The Safeguards Science and Technology Group at Los Alamos have developed neutron and gamma signal splitter units. These signal splitters are used to obtain a second identical signal output from neutron and gamma detectors. The goal of this project is the demonstration of the noninterference of the splitter with existing facility operations and the ability to install the splitter in an operational facility. In order to gain operational experience and validate these systems, we must demonstrate their capabilities in an environment where the measurements can be checked against parallel instrumentation. The Advanced Recovery and Integrated Extraction System (ARIES) at Los Alamos is in operation as a complete processing system for the dismantlement of nuclear weapon primaries. The ARIES line provides an ideal test bed for transparency technologies and techniques and allows for the exploration of procedures before the signing of agreements with the international community. This paper will discuss the issues involved as well as lessons learned in the construction and emplacement of equipment introduced into the ARIES line.