Next Generation Safeguards Initiative: Overview and Policy Context of UF_6 Cylinder Tracking Program

摘要

Thousands of cylinders containing uranium hexafluoride (UF_6) move around the worldfrom conversion plants to enrichment plants to fuel fabrication plants, and their contentscould be very useful to a country intent on diverting uranium for clandestine use. Each ofthese large cylinders can contain close to a significant quantity of natural uranium (48Ycylinder) or low-enriched uranium (LEU) (30B cylinder) defined as 75 kg ~(235)U which canbe further clandestinely enriched to produce 1.5 to 2 significant quantities of highenriched uranium (HEU) within weeks or months depending on the scale of theclandestine facility. The National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) NextGeneration Safeguards Initiative (NGSI) kicked off a 5-year plan in April 2011 toinvestigate the concept of a unique identification system for UF_6 cylinders and potentiallyto develop a cylinder tracking system that could be used by facility operators and theInternational Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The goal is to design an integrated solutionbeneficial to both industry and inspectorates that would improve cylinder operations atthe facilities and provide enhanced capabilities to deter and detect both diversion of lowenricheduranium and undeclared enriched uranium production. The 5-year plan consistsof six separate incremental tasks: 1) define the problem and establish the requirements fora unique identification (UID) and monitoring system; 2) develop a concept of operationsfor the identification and monitoring system; 3) determine cylinder monitoring devicesand technology; 4) develop a registry database to support proof-of-conceptdemonstration; 5) integrate that system for the demonstration; and 6) demonstrate proofof-concept. Throughout NNSA’s performance of the tasks outlined in this program, themulti-laboratory team emphasizes that extensive engagement with industry stakeholders,regulatory authorities and inspectorates is essential to its success.