White Papers On Proliferation Resistance And Physical Protection Characteristics Of The Six Gen Iv Nuclear Energy Systems

This paper provides an overview of an activity that evaluates the proliferation resistance and physical protection characteristics of the six advanced reactor systems selected for further research and development by the Generation IV International Forum (GIF). GIF established the Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection Working Group (PRPPWG) to develop, implement and foster use of an evaluation methodology to assess Gen-IV reactor systems. Since 2018 the PRPPWG, in collaboration with the system designers, has been updating the white papers on the proliferation resistance & physical protection (PR&PP) robustness of the six GIF design concepts. The six GIF systems are the: Gas Fast Reactor, Lead Fast Reactor, Molten Salt Reactor (liquid fuel and solid fuel designs), Super-Critical Water Reactor (vessel and pressure-tube designs), Sodium Fast Reactor (loop and pool designs) and Very High Temperature Reactor (pebble and block designs). The current update reflects changes in the six GIF systems with enhanced intrinsic PR&PP features since the original publication of the PR&PP white papers in 2011. The system designers provided system descriptions and the corresponding fuel cycle arrangements of the GIF system options and design tracks discussed in the latest GIF Research and Development Outlook. Using an updated common template, the PR&PP evaluation of each design option began by identifying the relevant system elements with respect to potential adversary targets and applicable safeguards and physical protection approaches. The evaluation proceeded to assess the design against potential threats using the technical design information to gauge the response of the system. PR threats included, a) concealed diversion or production of material, b) use of the system in a breakout strategy, and c) replication of the technology in clandestine facilities. PP threats included, a) theft of material for nuclear explosives or dispersal device, and b) radiological sabotage. The PR&PP white papers’ development demonstrated the application of the PR&PP-by-Design concept to the six GIF designs. The current white papers help to elucidate technical features of each reactor system that make the system very unattractive for diversion or theft of weapons-usable materials, and provide increased physical protection against acts of terrorism.