Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Safeguards

Objectif

Specific Objectives:
1 NDA Finalise the large sample LEU high efficiency passive counter (HEPC) Design and build a HEPC for bulk Pu samples Develop multipurpose Monte Carlo code for general simulation of NDA system Optimise design of neutron counters for specific applications: MOX fuel elements, HEU fuel for the FRM-II reactor, fresh AGR assemblies, CASTOR spent fuel containers Develop method and instrumentation for mass determination of small fissile samples based on pulsed neutron source interrogation Characterise and improve the thermal behaviour of small sample calorimeter Study the limits of applicability of the NaIGEM code for U enrichment 2 Integrated unattended monitoring systems and associated statistical data analysis methodology Design, construct and test new unattended systems for NDA measurements.

Develop statistical techniques for data management in unattended systems 3 Surveillance technologies and data transmission Develop software tools for managing large surveillance data sets (images and other). Develop 3D multi sensor surveillance technology with attention to unattended fault tolerant monitoring systems Investigate 3D imaging techniques for use in design information verification Confidence building in methods for secure information exchange. Investigate potential application of remote operation. 4 Information technologies for supporting the Additional Protocol (AP). Develop Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to support verification, declaration and inspection activities. To explore the use of open source information as a verification tool. 5 Mass and volume measurements. Continue development on Mass and Volume (M/V) measurement systems based on the dip-tube technique and to explore alternative techniques Develop Software for data interpretation in mass, volume and density measurements. 6 Sealing and identification Develop new generation low cost ultrasonic seals. Develop seals that use programmable transponder technology 7 System analysis and risk assessment applied to safeguards. Develop a risk assessment methodology that can be used to identify and rank acquisition pathways, rate proliferation resistance, and develop or optimise inspection schemes in context of integrated safeguards. 8 Routine support to ESO and IAEA Support ESO and IAEA with recurrent tasks that enable them to carry out their daily work. 9 Support to ESARDA Provide the scientific and administrative secretariat for ESARDA.
Planned Deliverables:

1 NDA Finalise the large sample LEU high efficiency passive counter (HEPC) - Final report on design, construction, characterisation and calibration of HEPC (June 2003) - 2 peer reviewed journal papers on gamma verification of LEU and on optimisation of neutron detector tubes (June 2003) Design and build a HEPC for bulk Pu samples - Peer reviewed journal paper on sensitivity analysis in multiplicity counting technique (June 2003) - Design report of prototype instrument (Sept. 2003) Develop multipurpose Monte Carlo code for general simulation of NDA system - First release of new MCNP-PTA code for neutron coincidence counting (June 2003) - Peer reviewed journal paper on MCNP-PTA (Dec. 2003) Optimise design of neutron counters for specific applications: MOX fuel elements, HEU fuel for the FRM-II reactor, fresh AGR assemblies, CASTOR spent fuel containers - Monte Carlo model for SMP-D4 collar (MOX Sellafield) (Feb. 2003) - Calibration report on SMP-D4 (June 2003) - Design report of new collar for FRM-II (Feb. 2003) - Construction FRM-II collar (March 2003) - Testing FRM-II collar (June 2003 - Delivery and installation (July 2003) - Feasibility study for AGR collar (Dec. 2003) - Monte Carlo model for CASTOR container (Sept. 2003) Develop method and instrumentation for mass determination of small fissile samples based on pulsed neutron source interrogation - Reception of neutron generator (Mar 2003) - Safety documentation approved (June 2003) - ANPA license (Dec. 2003) Characterise and improve the thermal behaviour of small sample calorimeter - Modified calorimeter (Sept. 2003) Study the limits of applicability of the NaIGEM code for U enrichment - Report on NaIGEM measurements of PERLA samples (Sept. 2003) 2 Integrated unattended monitoring systems and associated statistical data analysis methodology Design, construct and test new unattended systems for NDA measurements - 2 papers on new LEU gamma scanner testing and installation and neutron unattended measurement station, UMS (Dec 2003) - 2 user manuals for operation (Dec 2003) Develop statistical techniques for data management in unattended systems - Technical paper on new methods for testing for consistency between accountancy data and measurement performance information (Dec 2003) 3 Surveillance technologies and data transmission Develop software tools for managing large surveillance data sets (images and other) - Report of demonstration of image analysis retrieval and classification methods (Dec 2003) Develop 3D multi sensor surveillance technology with attention to unattended fault tolerant monitoring systems - Prototype combined video 2D/3D laser surveillance system (Jun 2003) - Report on feasibility to use 3D technology for identification and authentication of nuclear containers (Jun 2003) Investigate 3D imaging techniques for use in design information verification - Software tool for collecting 3-D data and producing computer model of nuclear plant (Sep 2003) - Installation of VID system in the Rokkasho Reprocessing plant in Japan (Dec 2003) Confidence building in methods for secure information exchange - Installation of a secure data link between Ispra and Luxembourg for video surveillance data (Jun 2003) - Demonstration of prototype of secure wireless access to databases (Dec 2003) Investigate potential application of remote operation - Demonstration of vehicle identifying and handling small containers in mock-up storage area (Dec 2003) - Demonstration of robotic system for reading underwater seals (Dec 2003) 4 Information technologies for supporting the Additional Protocol (AP) Develop Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to support verification, declaration and inspection activities - GIS tool for verification of site declarations to be linked with APS (IAEA AP system) (Feb 2003) - GIS tool to support declaration and pre-verification to be integrated in ESO system (April 2003) - Prototype GIS tool for supporting on site inspections with integration of GPS (Sept 2003) - Feasibility study on use of timed GIS to assist the updating of declarations (Dec. 2003) To explore the use of open source information as a verification tool - Implementation of Verity suite of tools for web searching, indexing and knowledge management (Mar 2003)

- First release of IAC (non proliferation knowledge base) in Verity environment (June 2003) - Example of state profile (including information on AP annex 2 and Nuclear Suppliers Group dual use equipment manufacturers) for selected countries (Dec. 2003) 5 Mass and volume measurements Continue development on Mass and Volume (M/V) measurement systems based on the dip-tube technique and to explore alternative techniques - Paper on bubble detachment behaviour to finalise study on low pressure bubbling (Oct 2003 - Test report on equipment for in-field authentication of pressure measurements (Mar 2003) - Prototype potable measurement station for authentication of pressure measurements (June 2003) Develop Software for data interpretation in mass, volume and density measurements - Report on the use of functional models to aid in interpretation and trouble shooting of on-line measurements (Oct 2003) - Technical specification of new code for sensitivity analysis on instrument errors and measurement procedures, replacement of SAMBA code (Sep 2003) 6 Sealing and identification Develop new generation low cost ultrasonic seals - Simplified mechanical design for ultrasonic seal and test of prototypes (Mar 2003) - New version of reading software (Dec 2003) Develop seals that use programmable transponder technology - Reading tests of transponders in different configurations and enclosures (June 2003) - Design study of transponder that can be placed by facility operator and associated software for authentication (Dec 2003) 7 System analysis and risk assessment applied to safeguards Develop a risk assessment methodology that can be used to identify and rank acquisition pathways, rate proliferation resistance, and develop or optimise inspection schemes in context of integrated safeguards. - State of the art survey of applications of risk assessment to safeguards (June 2003) - Requirement analysis for risk assessment methodology (Dec 2003) 8 Routine support to ESO and IAEA Support ESO and IAEA with recurrent tasks that enable them to carry out their daily work - Calibration of NDA instruments on demand - Training courses: 12 in PERLA and 6 in TAME - In field support to 5 NDA campaigns (Hanau, Salamanca, Dessel, Juzbado, Romans-s.-I.) - Reliability tests of inspector equipment: PTS seals, new EOS seals, VIP surveillance system and others - Health physics course and calibration of health physics instruments 9 Support to ESARDA Provide the scientific and administrative secretariat for ESARDA - Meetings of the of steering and executive bodies of the association (agenda, report, participation); - ESARDA website; - Annual ESARDA meeting (conferences, about 100-200 participants) and proceedings; - Two issues per year of the ESARDA bulletin.
Summary of the Action:
This action covers the contribution of IPSC to the Euratom Programme. It includes customer driven R&D and services provided under the support programs to the Euratom Safeguards Office(ESO) and to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), as well as underpinning R&D in the broad area of nuclear Non- Proliferation. This underpinning R&D is basically forward looking and explorative in nature to prepare for future demands from inspection agencies, or to suggest promising methodology and technology for future implementation. The R&D also drives a continuous technological improvement in safeguards technology and methodology and provides solutions to emerging needs arising from political changes and to changes in verification regimes, for example from the Additional Protocol (AP). Non destructive assay (NDA) is a key technique for nuclear material measurements. The JRC intends to continue work on NDA in PERLA, the Commission's reference laboratory for NDA. As part of the R&D for improving nuclear measurement methodologies and instruments, our clients are requesting an extension of the work on the simulation of neutron detector geometries by Monte-Carlo techniques. Support will be given to the implementation of the Additional Protocol (AP) in the EU, and to the verification of AP declarations by the IAEA.

This verification asks for advanced Information Technology (IT) tools that require making use of open source information in various forms, including high resolution satellite images and information from the internet. The JRC is already involved in providing the IAEA with such tools and will continue to develop these further, by developing web intelligent multi lingual search and text analysis tools. In addition the JRC will support ESO with software that enables them to manage their information flow related to the implementation of the AP in the EU member states. The JRC continues to use it's knowledge and expertise to advise Commission services on technical matters related to the verification of non-proliferation, disarmament, export control treaties and conventions. The JRC is also developing a knowledge management centre on non-proliferation issues. Automation, unattended systems and remote measurement or monitoring capabilities have a potential to reduce the workload for inspectors. During FP- 6, a particular effort will be devoted to these issues and to the related problems of data authentication and secure data transmission. In addition to the above, the JRC will continue to work in the areas of mass and volume measurements, surveillance systems, development of tamperproof sealing and identification devices, reliability and conformity testing of inspector equipment and the application of systems analysis methods for optimising safeguards approaches.

In the following, the work is subdivided into 9 areas: Development and performance assessment of Non Destructive Assay techniques: neutron measurements, gamma spectroscopy methods, calorimeter methods; Monte Carlo simulation and application to optimisation of NDA instrumentation; Development of unattended integrated measurement systems and related statistical methods for data analysis; Development of efficient and effective surveillance technologies and related secure information retrieval and analysis; Development of Information Technologies to support the implementation of the Additional Protocol: GIS systems, open source information search and analysis systems, application of remote sensing techniques; Development and performance assessment of mass and volume measurement systems with particular attention to remote communications and control possibilities; Development and performance testing of sealing devices and related verification systems; Systems analysis and risk assessment applied to safeguards; Routine support to the inspection agencies: including training of inspectors, field assistance and health physics support; Support to ESARDA (European SAfeguards Research and Development Association).

Rationale:
Since 1968, in application of the Euratom Treaty, the JRC has provided direct support to the Euratom Safeguards Office ranging from underpinning R&D to on- site assistance. This is based on the competence and the independence of national interest of the JRC. On the same basis, the JRC supports the implementation of safeguards at IAEA level and, more in general, of other verification systems aimed at the non-proliferation of weapons of mass- destruction.

Champ scientifique

Programme(s)

FP6-JRC - Specific programme 2002-2006 for research, technological development and demonstration to be carried out by means of direct actions by the Joint Research Centre (JRC).

Thème(s)

3.1.2 - Nuclear Security (safeguards and non proliferation)

Appel à propositions

Data not available

Régime de financement

JRC - Joint Research Centre research

Coordinateur

Institute for the Protection and Security of the Citizen

Contribution de l’UE

Aucune donnée

Adresse

Via E. Fermi 1
I-21020 Ispra
Italie

Coût total