SAFAR-SAFEGUARDED FABRICATION AND REPROCESSING PLANT

Under the sponsorship of the Electric Power Research Institute, Exxon Nuclear Company has developed a conceptual design of a 1500 MT/y integrated nuclear fuels reprocessing/ recycle fuels fabrication plant which illustrates a high level of resistance to diversion. The upgraded design concept has been named SAFAR (an acronym for _Safeguards Fabrication and Reprocessing). The process is based on a modified Purex flowsheet with a colocated Mixed Oxide Sphere-Pac fabrication process. Diversion-resistant attributes include a high degree of remotability and access denial, capability to measure in-process inventory with an uncertainty (2a) of less than 5 kgs Pu every 15 days, independent MC&A function, and retention of some uranium with plutonium at all times. The estimated plutonium LEMUF for the integrated plant is 0.35% of plant input. The plant was also designed to accommodate IAEA inspection in a manner to minimize disruption. The overall cost of the facility is estimated to be no more than 10 percent higher than if the standard Purex separations and standard pellet fabrication processes were used.