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

Assessment methodology development for proliferation resistance and physical protection of generation IV systems.

Conference ·
OSTI ID:925114

One of the technology goals set for future Generation IV nuclear energy systems is to be 'a very unattractive and least desirable route' for proliferation, and to provide increased physical protection against theft or sabotage. To evaluate system performance for this goal, an international Expert Group has been formed and has adopted an evaluation method that involves three elements: (1) a process to systematically identify the range of potential security challenges that could face the system-a 'threat space' that includes State diversion or undeclared production of materials for nuclear explosives (proliferation resistance), and non-State theft or radiological sabotage (physical protection robustness); (2) methods for evaluating the system response to these challenges, at a level of detail appropriate to the stage of system or facility design; and (3) a set of measures of system performance that allow assessment and comparison of how well facilities systems meet the goal of providing a 'very unattractive and least desirable route.'

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
NNSA; NE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
925114
Report Number(s):
ANL/NE/CP-111776
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH