Year
2008
Abstract
Promising R&D has been conducted recently to look into the applicability of Tunable Diode Laser Spectroscopy (TDLS) based systems toward the detection of materials that are either a direct result or an immediate byproduct of processes involved in the nuclear fuel process and that are of high interest for safeguards as gas signatures of undeclared activities. Among others, the capability of detecting trace Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) concentrations in an air sample can provide indicators that UF6 has leaked from containers or technological processes and can also reveal undeclared activities in the manufacturing of 235-isotope enriched uranium. This detection capability has immediate use for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in the framework of the Additional Protocol, as the presence of HF can indicate that additional focus must be given to suspected facilities, while the absence of HF can increase inspector confidence that no covert activities take place. The present paper will outline the application of TDLS as a gas monitoring detection system in the context of the IAEA Working Group that was established for diode laser spectroscopy-based systems. It will also provide an overview of the status of development of the current prototype HF gas monitoring system and the challenges. Recommendations on how to best conduct the system integration will conclude the paper.