An Approach for Application of International Safeguards to Plutonium Thermal Stabilization and Packaging Processes at the Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site

The U. S. Department of Energy’s Rocky Flats Environmental Technology Site (Site) has developed plans to thermally stabilize plutonium oxide and package both plutonium metals and oxides to meet the requirements the DOE Standard 3013. To that end, the Department has procured a system to perform this thermal stabilization and packaging from British Nuclear Fuels, Limited. This system is scheduled to be operational in March 2000, in the Site’s Building 371. Plans are also being developed in conjunction with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to maintain their safeguards on currently safeguarded material during the Stabilization and Packaging process, which is expected to be processed in fiscal year 2002. This paper will briefly introduce the thermal stabilization and packaging system and then discuss current planning for maintaining IAEA safeguards, including proposals from both the IAEA and the United States Government.