Possible safeguards procedures for pool type fast power reactors

Recommendations are being formulated under the USSR's programme of scientific and technical support for Agency safeguards on carrying out Agency safeguards procedures on BN series pool type fast power reactors. By examining the design features of this type of reactor and taking into account the technical criteria of safeguards and the experience and practice of Agency safeguards procedures at other facilities, the paper analyses the main elements in developing an approach to the application of safeguards: (a) the structure of a nuclear material accounting and control system for this type of reactor; (b) possible nuclear material diversion paths at power plants with BN type reactors; (c) the organization of nuclear material flow control during receipt at and dispatch to nuclear power plants and also during loading into or unloading from an inaccessible area (reactor vessel and store containing liquid sodium coolant) by means of operator independent control systems; (d) verification of the nuclear material inventory at the nuclear power plant; (e) use of methods and devices for implementing containment and surveillance measures. On the basis of this analysis, the directions of scientific research for the development of recommendations concerning Agency safeguards procedures are defined with reference to the example of the USSR designed BN series pool type liquid metal cooled reactor. Additional ways of increasing the effectiveness of Agency safeguards procedures for this type of facility are discussed. (author)