Letters US–IAEA uranium enrichment safeguards

Development of uranium reference particles to support nuclear safeguards

Controlled hydrolysis of certified uranium hexafluoride, carried out in a specifically constructed aerosol chamber, leads to the production of uranyl fluoride particulates which – deposited on a graphite planchet support may be used as a quality control reference material. The particle size and surface distribution depends on several parameters, such as the relative humidity inside the aerosol ...

Identification of uranium signatures relevant for nuclear safeguards and forensics

The paper describes the applicability of different characteristics (signatures) in nuclear safeguards and forensics for assessment of uranium material provenance in terms of production process. The study follows a uranium ore concentrate production from an ore to a U3O8 product. It turned out that rare-earth elemental pattern, radiochronometry (age of ore body and material production date), sul...

Enrichment Tails Assays and Uranium Supply: a Dynamic Relationship

At present, utility fuel buyers order uranium, conversion, and enrichment services according to optimization criteria based on relative prices for EUP inputs. Enrichment decisions are constrained only by enrichment contract requirements that limit the tails assays nominated to a certain range without surcharges. At present, given a uranium price of $33.75/kg U as UF6, and roughly $105/SWU, the ...

Minimization of waste from uranium purification, enrichment and fuel fabrication

FOREWORD As any industry, nuclear industry generates a diverse range of waste which has to be managed in a safe manner to be acceptable to the public and the environment. The cost of waste management, the risks to the public and employees, and the detriment to the environment are dependent on the quantity and radioactive content of the waste generated. Waste minimization is a necessary activity...

A Proliferation Assessment of Third Generation Laser Uranium Enrichment Technology