Lessons Learned in International Safeguards - Implementation of Safeguards at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant

Abstract

The focus of this report is lessons learned at the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP). However, the subject of lessons learned for application of international safeguards at reprocessing plants includes a cumulative history of inspections starting at the West Valley (New York, U.S.A.) reprocessing plant in 1969 and proceeding through all of the efforts over the years. The RRP is the latest and most challenging application the International Atomic Energy Agency has faced. In many ways the challenges have remained the same, timely inspection and evaluation with limited inspector resources, with the continuing realization that planning and preparations can never start early enough in the life cycle of a facility. Lessons learned over the years have involved the challenges of using ongoing advances in technology and dealing with facilities with increased throughput and continuous operation. This report will begin with a review of historical developments and lessons learned. This will provide a basis for a discussion of the experiences and lessons learned from the implementation of international safeguards at RRP.

Current and Proposed Process Monitoring at Uranium Conversion Facilities

“…uranium tetrafluoride UF 6 uranium hexafluoride UOC uranium ore concentrate UO 2 uranium dioxide UO 3 uranium trioxide UO 4 uranyl peroxide U 3 O 8 triuranium octaoxide wt % percent by weight…”

“…Until 2003, the point where IAEA material safeguards were first applied at NUCFs was at the very end of the process-the purified UF 6 According to PP18, verification will be applied at the first practical point upstream in the process (PP18 para. 9).…”

Systems analysis of hiRX for improved reprocessing safeguards.

“…With a throughput of 800 MTHM/yr, the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant (RRP) is of similar size to the European plants, and a design duplicate of UP3 at La Hague [4][5][6]. Figure 1 depicts the RRP accountancy structure.…”

Report on the NGS3 Working Group on Safeguards by Design For Aqueous Reprocessing Plants

“…These systems may include solution monitoring for volume and density, or the monitoring of specific elements or parameters of the process 16,17 . Additionally, if the agreed IAEA Safeguards Approach includes the implementation of Near-Real-Time-Accountancy (NRTA), the approach would require that the operator's accountancy and PM systems be designed with the capability of providing almost-immediate inventory declarations based on the best available accountancy and process data.…”