Year
2002
Abstract
In line with the basic principle of “continual improvement” methods and equipment for verification activities have to be re-evaluated from time to time with respect to strengthened safeguards requirements and the state of art of methodology and technology. The major objective is to use resources more efficiently and effectively and to optimise routine inspections while introducing newly developed equipment and techniques and initiating R&D activities where needed. Such kind of quality control includes and scrutinizes also well established and routinely used methods like Cerenkov radiation detection (CRD). CRD is used for the verification of research reactor cores and spent fuel in water tanks. Where directly visible Cerenkov glow patterns give a characteristic picture of the fuel arrangement. The variation in light intensity is apparent when viewed from an aligned position directly above the fuel rods. While, over the past years, the usefulness of CRD has been proven and its image quality has reached a high standard, the method reveals inherent limitations with respect to safeguards effectiveness when brought into play for specific tasks. Investigations at the Dresden University of Technology will contribute to clarify this problem. A theoretical approach is envisaged using radiation transport calculations basically with the Monte-Carlo code MCNP. The physical and mathematical models are described. First results for a specific group of facilities are presented. The work is carried out within the framework of the Joint Programme on the Technical Development and Further Improvement of IAEA Safeguards between Germany and IAEA.