Results of Pilot Implementation of MC&A System Effectiveness Tool (MSET-R) at Russian Facilities

A nuclear Material Control and Accountability System Effectiveness Tool (MSET) has been developed in the United States (U.S.) for use in evaluating Material Control and Accountability (MC&A) systems in Russian nuclear facilities. The project was commissioned by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of International Material Protection and Cooperation. MSET was developed by personnel with experience spanning more than six decades in both the U.S. and international nuclear programs and with experience in probabilistic risk assessment in the nuclear power industry. MSET was successfully validated at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL). Specialists of the Russian Material Control and Accounting Equipment and Methodologies Working Group (MEM-WG) developed a Russian version of MSET (MSET-R), which was modified to account for differences between Russian and U.S. MC&A system requirements. Rosatom agreed to conduct pilot testing of MSET-R at several of its nuclear facilities. In the fall of 2011 the following Russian enterprises participated in the pilot testing of MSET-R: Production association “Mayak”, Khlopin Radium Institute (KRI) and Siberian Chemical Combine (SCC). Results from the pilot testing program are positive. Based on experience gained from the Russian pilot testing program, updates are being made to MSET-R, and investigations are being made on activities necessary to initiate a full-scale phased implementation at 6 to 10 Russian nuclear facilities.