Objective
Specific Objectives
1. Provide analytical support to EURATOM and the IAEA for various types of inspection samples, in-field campaigns and on-site laboratories and consultancy in these areas: expected number of samples: around 100;
2. Achieve accreditation for the following analytical methods routinely in use for safeguards purposes: K-edge densitometry, Compucea, Titration, Thermal Ionisation and Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry;
3. Train of 10 analysts in the analytical techniques for reprocessing input measurements, high performance trace analyses and non-destructive techniques in order to arrive to a situation where each of the 10 analysts is at least a "qualified operator" in two analytical techniques;
4. Continue the implementation of the country specific support programmes for combating illicit trafficking of nuclear materials in the Candidate countries by organising joint training sessions at ITU (2 weeks are planned in 2002 with about 20 participants), by fostering the implementation of a national Model Action Plan for responding to real cases of nuclear smuggling and by selection and delivery of required equipment (as far as the 2002 budget for "PECO projects" allows);
5. Comparative evaluation of calorimetry and passive neutron coincidence counting for small (1-2 g sized) samples of plutonium aiming at using most efficient method (measurement time < 2 hours and accuracy < 0.2 %) for verification purposes Comparison of Los Alamos calorimeter, Antech calorimeter and "pre-OSL"-neutron counter;
6. Test the implementation of analytical methods for Np analysis in spent fuel solution at the LSS;
7. Improve Pu assay by IDMS using multi-collector ICP-MS in terms of sensitivity (sub-ppb level) and accuracy (<0.15%);
8. Further improve and simplify age determination of HEU (use multi-collector ICP-MS), extend the method the LEU;
9. Develop measurement methods for actinide assay in advanced fuel cycles (e.g.
U, Pu, Am, Cm, Np in samples from dry reprocessing by gamma spectrometry, by XRF, by ICP-MS);
10. Provide support to IAEA during installation of their OSL at Rokkasho-mura in Japan through consultancy, software evaluation and expertise;
11. Evaluate the results obtained in the inter-laboratory exercise launched in
2001 in collaboration with IAEA on SIMS performance for single particle characterisation and present the results in a Workshop at ITU March 2002;
12. Launch another inter-laboratory exercise in collaboration with IAEA on sample preparation for SIMS single particle determination from swipe samples;
13. Produce, on request of ESO and IAEA, mono-dispersed particles of U and Pu oxides;
14. Finish the automation of measurements by SIMS with correlated software;
15. Evaluate, in the frame of a collaboration with the University of Budapest, the use of alpha-tracks for the detection of hot particles;
16. Further develop the technique for identifying the origin and nature of illicit nuclear materials, including the concept of "Source Fingerprint" (micro structural and isotopic fingerprint);
17. Use cyanoacrylate fuming for the detection and imaging of fingerprints on contaminated materials and develop a fingerprint detection and imaging system using 14C-labelled cyanoacrylate;
18. Optimise the working collaboration between law enforcement authorities and the nuclear forensic scientist in the preservation of evidence and cooperation with the ITWG, IAEA and national authorities;
19. Include extra micro structural information in the nuclear materials database;
20. Bring the investigation into the Dounreay hot particles to a conclusion.
Planned Deliverables
Specific deliverables to DGs:
- Contribution to monitoring and implementation of EU policies;
- Contribution to formulation of EU policies and alert function on new technologies and methods;
- Analyses of samples, software for treatment of measurement data;
- New prototype equipment, particles standards, nuclear material database, training courses;
- EXTERNAL RELATIONS DG : A number of projects are performed by ITU as expert organisation in analytical techniques for safeguards and forensics;
- TRANSPORT AND ENERGY DG : The operation of the OSL and LSS (On Site Laboratory and Laboratoire sur Site) are performed according to schedule.
As a result of the research:
Publications, Patents, Workshops, Seminars.
Summary of 2001 Deliverables: 31/12/2001
- For the analytical support to EURATOM and the IAEA, 134 samples were analysed. The uranium content and enrichment factor in 110 samples was determined during five in-field campaigns;
- Isotopic evolution code calculations were performed to estimate the amounts of Np produced under different reactor scenarios. The LWR is the most significant source of Np. (presented at ESARDA conference);
- A separation and measurement methodology for the assay of Np in spent fuel solutions was developed and implemented on the robotised analysis system for destructive assay. Np assay by non-destructive methods requires chemical separation prior to measurement. The separation chemistry was developed and tested under hot conditions. (Results presented at ESARDA conference, paper in refereed journal);
- Presence of 244Cm in PuO2 samples causes a bias in neutron coincidence counting. A method for quantifying the amount of 244Cm (typically less than one µg/g PuO2) by alpha spectrometry after chemical separation was developed. (Presented at ESARDA conference)
- Software development for the COMPUCEA was completed. Hardware was renewed where necessary. The upgraded mobile measurement systems became operational before summer 2001, so they could be used for the in-field campaigns (see above). (Presented at IAEA conference);
- As a spin-off of the development work for the LSS, three sample changers for Hybrid K-edge instruments were sold to Japan for application in the analytical laboratory at the site of their reprocessing plant;
- A method for the precise determination of the oxygen isotope ratios in uranium oxide was developed. This shall contribute to the identification of the geographic origin of unknown samples. (Two papers in refereed journals);
- ITU continues to be closely involved in the international efforts to detect clandestine activities and to combat the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials. In the course of 2001 fact-finding missions were completed in Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania and Slovenia;
- In the frame of trace and particle measurement technology, e.g. to identify to the extent possible the potential "polluter", in 2001, main emphasis was put on the recovery of particles from swipes (e.g. from enrichment plants). Using SIMS, the uranium isotopic ratios were determined in 25 swipe samples requested by ESO and the IAEA.
- Production of control samples for test of SIMS performance distributed for the inter-laboratory exercise;
- Development of the concept of the micro structural fingerprint and its application to specimens in our possession;
- Development of techniques for the analysis of conventional forensic science traces (for example, fingerprints) on contaminated materials;
- Analysis of the case involving the illegal removal of plutonium from the WAK Karlsruhe and the subsequent history of the material;
- Successful participation in the ITWG Round-Robin Uranium exercise;
- Investigation of the Dounreay "Hot Particles" with successful conclusions as to the origin and nature of the material;
- In total more than 15 papers were published (five in refereed journals and 10 conference contributions).
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Output Indicators and Impact
- Number of samples analysed;
- Programme achievement;
- Acknowledgement of scientific value (awards, accolade, patents).
Response to the launching of the inter-laboratory (8 international labs form different countries including Australia, Japan, Russia, USA, IAEA, and European: France, UK, Finland)
Global output : 8 publications in refereed journals and 8 conference participation.
Summary of the project
The European Union supports the objectives of the Non-Proliferation Treaty and operates, through the Euratom Safeguards Office, a regional safeguards inspectorate. Both, the Euratom Safeguards Office (ESO) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) have specified their research and development requirements in the form of needs lists. By using its core competencies, the Institute will contribute to both inspectorates by improving measurement technology for plutonium facilities and new fuel cycle facilities. It will continue the development of high performance trace analysis for the detection of clandestine nuclear activities and for identification of materials from illicit trafficking. It will participate actively in the International Technical Working Group of the P-8 states. The Analytical Support and training activities for ESO and for the IAEA will continue.
See also the related EU enlargement process pre-accession (pa) project.
Rationale
Stopping the further spread of nuclear weapons is a major policy objective of the European Union.
The Euratom Safeguards Office of the European Commission (Transport and Energy DG) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) are inspection authorities charged with the implementation of safeguards measures to control the use of nuclear materials within the European Union and worldwide, respectively. The European Commission performs safeguards inspections in the framework of chapter VII of the Euratom Treaty and in accordance with international obligations coming for example from the Non-Proliferation Treaty or international agreement with third countries (e.g. United States).
The Institute is a long-standing partner of the safeguards inspectorates providing assistance and expertise particularly relevant to plutonium handling facilities, such as reprocessing and MOX fuel fabrication plants. For more than 3 decades, ITU has been providing new analytical tools to analyse and characterise.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences computer and information sciences databases
- natural sciences computer and information sciences software software development
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry calorimetry
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences chemical sciences analytical chemistry mass spectrometry
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Coordinator
Karlsruhe
Germany
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