A U.S. NATIONAL LAB PROJECT TO DEVELOP SAFEGUARDS APPROACHES FOR NEW FUEL CYCLE (GNEP) FACILITIES

A project sponsored by the U.S. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) to develop conceptual safeguards approaches for the new nuclear fuel-cycle facilities, envisioned under the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP), is being conducted by a joint team from several U.S. DOE National Laboratories. The team initially focused on the aqueous and pyro-reprocessing processes planned for the conceptual Advanced Fuel Cycle Facility (AFCF) and the very-large-scale reprocessing plant, CFTC. The current application of IAEA safeguards at the recently commissioned large-scale Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant in Japan, as well as experience gained safeguarding other plants and reprocessing processes were used as a basis for developing conceptual safeguards approaches for these processes and facilities. Looking towards future application of more complex aqueous and pyro-chemical and metallurgical processes and very-large-scale facilities, the team has identified and recommended areas that will require the development of additional advanced safeguards methods and technology