NSSPI Project Lists

Safeguards
Safeguards A hand-held NaI spectrometer

Nuclear material safeguards systems and detection technologies


  • Coupled End-to-End (CETE) Demonstration at ORNL
  • NSSPI is collaborating with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) to develop advanced safeguards measurement techniques using the CETE demonstration. ORNL has acquired spent nuclear fuel to be reprocessed at a laboratory scale within their facilities under the Global Nuclear Engineering Partnership (GNEP). NSSPI is contributing to the overall project by providing student, faculty, and staff involvement in performing measurements, analyzing data, simulating experiments, and developing techniques.
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  • Real-Time Detection Methods to Monitor TRU Composition in the UREX + Process Stream
  • The Real-Time Detection Methods to Monitor TRU Composition in the UREX + Process Stream project consists of using traditional and innovative safeguards methods to develop a safeguards approach for the URanium EXtraction (UREX)+1a reprocessing process. This involves looking into new detection methods such as the Tensioned Meta-stable Fluid Detector (TMFD) and the methods being developed in the Coupled End-to-End Demonstration (CETE) and incorporating techniques like process monitoring.
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  • Safeguards Approaches for Fast Breeder Reactors and Associated Fuel Cycle Facilities
  • This project is a preliminary conceptual study of design of modern safeguards directly into the planning and building of new fast breeder reactors and associated fuel cycle facilities. The project is based on a generic fast-breeder reactor design as determined only from information available in the public domain and it is directed toward a pre-conceptual design study for the integration of modern safeguards directly into the planning and building of new fast breeder reactors, and associated fuel cycle facilities, in order to permit IAEA (or other inspecting entity) to effectively and efficiently monitor and verify nuclear material in a manner that provides minimal intrusion into normal plant or facility operations.
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  • Safeguards Instrumentation Development for Measuring Pu Content in Spent Fuel
  • The direct measurement of total fissile content in spent fuel assemblies is necessary to safeguard against the diversion of fissile materials to illegal weapons use and improve material accountability. The primary objective of this work is to develop and assess the sensitivity of using Self-Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry (SINRD) for the measurement of the plutonium and uranium content in spent fuel assemblies and process materials.
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  • Safeguards Instrumentation Development for Measuring Pu via Coincident Neutron-Gamma Signals
  • This project is a feasibility study on a portable coupled gamma-neutron coincidence counter using He-3 tubes and LaBr nanoparticles that are being developed at LANL. It could result in a new type of coincidence counter that could have more reliable results with less associated error due to the use of both types of particles.
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  • Study of Future Safeguards Applications in North Korea
  • This project is designed to show that the nuclear fuel cycle in North Korea could have safeguards implemented to ensure that no material is used in a weapons program. The goal of the project is to completely analyze the three major components in the fuel cycle (fuel fabrication facility, 5 MWe reactor, and Radiochemical Laboratory) to determine if it is possible to set up the apparatus necessary to detect diversion of material to a weapons program
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  • The Safeguards Envelope Methodology
  • The Safeguards Envelope Project seeks to design operating and safeguards parameters to increase the confidence as to the location and assay of nuclear material. This project helps use existing data to help further secure nuclear material for the benefit of operators and regulators.
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