Process monitoring in support of International Atomic Energy Agency safeguards

Safeguards inventory and process monitoring regulatory comparison

“…It makes use of any and all indicators of process activity without concentrating on the strict accounting of nuclear material in process solutions." 25 This application of process monitoring can satisfy the IAEA safeguards accountancy goal for timely detection of abrupt diversion. A traditional accounting system would not detect an abrupt loss until after the physical inventory which may only be performed 1-6 times a year.…”

“…Frequent closures facilitate more timely detection of accounting anomalies as well as improve the system's sensitivity of detection by reducing the throughput dominated measurement errors. 25 Using PM to support NRTA can be seen as an extension of the accounting functions of MC&A. 25 If effective NRTA is achieved, it eliminates the need for a plant flush out which is required for traditional physical inventories.…”

“…25 Using PM to support NRTA can be seen as an extension of the accounting functions of MC&A. 25 If effective NRTA is achieved, it eliminates the need for a plant flush out which is required for traditional physical inventories. Therefore it provides safeguards advantages in improved detection sensitivity/timeliness and an operator advantage of less plant down time.…”