ARIES NDA Suite: Fully-integrated and automated nuclear material assay system for measurement of special nuclear materials

摘要

The Advanced Retirement and Integrated Extraction System (ARIES) mission the demonstration of advanced technologies for the integrated dismantlement of surplus nuclear weapon components (pits) and the packaging of the recovered plutonium into long-term storage containers. The unclassified plutonium product is suitable for traditional international safeguards, as well as other potential inspection regimes. As indicated in the recent Secretary of Energy's Record of Decision (ROD), this unclassified excess material is anticipated to be offered for international safeguards under the US Voluntary Offer (INFCIRC/288) performed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (TAEA). The ARIES nondestructive assay (NDA) suite offers state-of-the-art capabilities that provide highly accurate, precise material assay meeting IAEA bias defect measurement levels. Because of these levels of performance, the requirement of destructive analysis is largely removed. The unique combination of automation and high accuracy suggests the possibility of dual-use operator-owned IAEA authenticated instrumentation. Finally, the concept of continuous unattended monitoring for international safeguards applications with the ARIES NDA suite is intriguing and may encourage additional deployments of similar NDA systems internationally or elsewhere within the DOE complex.