Simulation Study of Near-real-time Accounting in a Generic Reprocessing Plant

Our simulation program FacSim has been used to estimate balance closure variances for a number of real and proposed nuclear material processing facilities that rely primarily on item measurements. We are enhancing the program so that it can be applied to facilities such as reprocessing plants that handle bulk materials and primarily perform bulk and flow measurements. The extended simulation program can apply any of several types of sequential statistical tests to nearreal- time accounting information to evaluate the capability of the facility accounting system to detect material and operational anomalies in a timely fashion. The program allows facility designers and operators to evaluate measurement and anomaly-detection strategies before system implementation and to demonstrate the facility's capability for maintaining accurate inventory information during plant operation. These features are illustrated by application to a generic reprocessing plant.