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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Process instrument monitoring for SNM solution surveillance

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:6068134

A process monitoring computer system at the Idaho Chemical Processing Plant (ICPP) is being used to evaluate nuclear fuel reprocessing plant data for Safeguards surveillance capabilities. The computer system was installed to collect data from the existing plant instruments and to evaluate what safeguards assurances can be provided to complement conventional accountability and physical protection measures. Movements of solutions containing special nuclear material (SNM) can be observed, activities associated with accountancy measurements (mixing, sampling, and bulk measurement) can be confirmed, and long-term storage of SNM solutions can be monitored to ensure containment. Special precautions must be taken, both in system design and operation to ensure adequate coverage of essential measured parameters and interpretation of process data, which can be comprised by instrument malfunctions or failures, unreliable data collection, or process activities that deviate from readily identified procedures. Experience at ICPP and prior evaluations at the Tokai reprocessing plant show that the use of process data can provide assurances that accountability measurement procedures are followed and SNM solutions are properly contained and can help confirm that SNM controls are in effect within a facility.

Research Organization:
Exxon Nuclear Idaho Co., Inc., Idaho Falls (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-79ID01675
OSTI ID:
6068134
Report Number(s):
ENICO-1126; ON: DE83014555
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English