(268c) Modeling and Simulation for Safeguards at Nuclear Waste Reprocessing Facilities

Safeguards is paramount nuclear facilities to prevent or detect the diversion of special nuclear material (SNM). Typical safeguards methods for large facilities often rely heavily on destructive analysis (DA) to detect diversion of SNM, but there has been a push to develop safeguards approaches that rely on more heavily on nondestructive analysis (NDA) measurements and process monitoring. The Separations and Safeguards Performance Model (SSPM) can be used to support safeguards by design efforts by modeling process data, key measurement points, and safeguards statistical tests. There are currently multiple versions of the SSPM, including both aqueous and electrochemical reprocessing models, fuel fabrication, enrichment facilities, and Molten Salt Reactors. From the process data, material loss scenarios can be analyzed using simulated measurements and statistical methodologies in the model that detect the material unaccounted for (MUF). The primary statistical method is a Standardized Independent Transform MUF (SITMUF) Page’s test, used to detect both abrupt and protracted material loss. The SSPM will be presented along with examples of challenges that have been met through modeling and simulation.