Proliferation resistant features of various nuclear energy systems

How can different technology concepts of nuclear energy systems influence proliferation resistance? The IAEA has held several meetings on this issue since 2001. After the review and discussion by both of internal and external experts of the IAEA, the results of these meetings have been documented and the document is now under the process of final review and approval. The document will be published as an IAEA TECDOC following the Agency's final approval. The contents of the TECDOC will be reported by the IAEA staff responsible for compiling the document. In this paper, 'Proliferation Resistance' is defined as that characteristic of a nuclear energy system that impedes the diversion or undeclared production of nuclear material, or misuse of technology, by States intent on acquiring nuclear weapons or other nuclear explosive devices. More than 10 nuclear energy systems have been selected. Qualitative analysis of these systems, using 'barriers framework' developed by the US DOE's Task Force on Technological Opportunities to Increase the Proliferation Resistance of Global Givilian Nuclear Power Systems (TOPS), has been done. Proliferation resistant features and possible risks of the selected nuclear energy systems have been identified and are reported in this paper. (author)