The development and experience of safeguards at the Dutch and German uranium enrichment plants (URENCO)

In 1972, the first URENCO enrichment plants, the Dutch pilot plant (SP1) and the German pilot plant (SP2), both located in Almelo, Netherlands, started operation. This paper describes the safeguards development and experience at both plants. Both plants had nominal capacities of 25-t solid waste/yr. Experiences gained during commissioning and operation of the pilot plants were utilized in the design of the joint 200-t solid waste/yr demonstration plant (SP3) at Almelo and later commercial plants at Almelo (SP4) and Gronau, Federal Republic of Germany (UTA 1). Since the introduction of Euratom safeguards in the initial Almelo facilities, the implementation of full international safeguards has developed to the required level of nonproliferation assurance for both the Almelo and Gronau plants. Inspection practices have developed to an efficient execution of the activities as laid down in the FA. Research and development to solve the problems with NDA measurements in cascade halls will continue. The operators would welcome any NDA method, provided the measurement results are obtained quickly and show reliable low-enriched uranium confirmation. Expert opinions still differ as to whether this is an achievable goal