J-MOX is a mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel fabrication plant currently under construction in Japan and co-located with the Rokkasho Reprocessing Plant on the same site. In 2005, the IAEA launched a project within the Department of Safeguards with the objective of developing an effective and efficient approach for applying safeguards to J-MOX. The J-MOX Project developed an approach that includes extensive joint-use unattended non-destructive assay and containment and surveillance systems. The safeguards systems will be owned and maintained by either the IAEA, the Japan Safeguards Office (JSGO) or the operator Japan Nuclear Fuel Limited (JNFL). J-MOX construction began in October 2010, but was suspended in 2011 after the Fukushima DaiIchi accident. Construction restarted in September 2022 following approval by the Japanese safety authorities, and development activities related to the safeguards systems resumed alongside the restart of construction. JNFL now targets completion of construction in the second half of 2024. The J-MOX Project has been restructured in order to meet the challenging safeguards equipment installation timeline with the available resources. This includes continuous interactions with JSGO and JNFL in order to efficiently manage the numerous interfaces among all stakeholders. This paper will provide an overview of the tasks, functions, challenges and accomplishments of the IAEA’s J-MOX Project.
Year
2024
Abstract