Safeguards system of advanced aqueous reprocessing for nuclear proliferation resistance enhancement

The fabrication of fast neutron reactor cycles is intended for next-generation nuclear energy systems. This is in line with the fact that the amount of plutonium, which should be reprocessed, increases significantly. Techniques for increasing the nuclear proliferation resistance, especially extrinsic measures including safeguards, are essential for such systems to be accepted by the international community. A highly resistant system with a high detection capability, as well as satisfying current safeguards requirements, was studied for an advanced aqueous reprocessing, and its technical practicability and operational compatibility were discussed. The effect of the proposed safeguards system in this paper was evaluated using the Markov model approach developed by the GIF Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection Working Group (PR and PP WG). The proposed safeguards system includes a high-detection-capability system and the accountancy/verification measures based on the monthly interim inventory taking or verification that should be performed at a similar level of quality to the normal physical inventory verification with very little impact to the practical plant operation. This can only be realized with 'safeguards by design.' (author)