Reprocessing And Recycli

Safe

g y uards and Securit

y

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commissio

Reprocessing Workshop

September 7th and 8th, 2010

Rockville, MD
Safeguards and Securit

• 10 CFR 73 – Physical Protection Of 

And Materials

• 10 CFR 74 – Material Control And 

Accounting [MC&A] Of Special NuclAccounting [MC&A] Of Special Nucl

Material

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
SNM

Special Nuclear Material

• SNM comprises:

– Plutonium– Uranium-235– Uranium-233

• NRC divides SNM into three categories, fo

security and MC&A, based upon potential f

– Direct use for nuclear fissile explosive– Indirect use – for the production of materials 

used for a nuclear fissile explosive

• Categories based upon:

– Mass quantities– Enrichment levels (for U-235)

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Three SNM Categories

(defined in 73.2)

Nuclide and % 

Enrichment Level Category I Category II Cat

Plutonium

≥ 2 kgs < 2 kgs and > 500 g

≤ 500 

Uranium 235 

≥ 5 k < 5 kgs and > 1 kg

≤ 1 k 

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop ≥ 20%

≥

5

kgs

<

5 kgs and

>

1 kg

≤

1

k

Uranium 235 < 20% & 

≥ 10%

≥ 10 kg < 10 k

Uranium 235 < 10% & >NaturalUranium 233

≥ 2 kgs < 2 kgs and > 500 g

≤ 500 
Current Material Categorization for Ma

Involved in Reprocessing and Recyc

• All current U.S. nuclear power reactor fuels 

Category III materials

• Reprocessing and recycling would introduc

plutonium and other TRUs

– Fuels containing > Fuels containing > 2= kg Pu would be Catego

kg Pu would be Catego

regardless of isotopics, form, or the presence materials (i.e., different “attractiveness”)

– Other TRUs (e.g., Np, Am) have SNM-like 

characteristics

• Current regulations do not consider the oth• Pu is categorized without consideration of f

isotopic composition

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Reprocessing Exclusion

• 10 CFR Part 74.51 currently exclude

reprocessing facilities from Category MC&A requirements

– Thus Category I reprocessing facilities 

Thus, Category I reprocessing facilities 

not have the same MC&A requirementother Category I materials

• Appropriate and predictable requirem

are needed

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop 
Potential Points

For Discussion

• Risk informing Parts 73 and 74• Include a gradient or attractiveness •

Alternate diversion 

p y ath anal

yses

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop
Key Security Requirements - FCFs

Facility Type DBT/ 

FoF

Fixed Site Rule

Trans. Rule

Post 9-11 Orders

Key 10 CFR Requirements for Fixe

Category I Yes 10 CFR 

73.45, 73.46

10 CFR 73.25, 73.26

Yes Broad performance requirement (73.45)

Armed security organization w/Appendix B trainingPhysical fitness standardsTactical Response Team (TRT)Physical barrier systems for PA, MAAs, vaultsIsolation zones for PA, with illuminationVaults for material storageTamper indicating containersAccess controls, access authorization to PA, MAA; 2Badging systemVehicle access control, entry / exit searchEntry/exit search of personnel and packagesDrum scanning of wasteSeparate shipping, waste packaging areasEscorts for visitors, visitor log

September 2010 Reprocessing Workshop

Key, lock and combination controlAlarmed MAA and vault when unoccupiedCCTV on vaults, elsewhereCAS/ SASBack-up powerDual communications capabilityContingency plan per Appendix CDeadly force policy

Category II No 10 CFR 

73.67 (d)

10 CFR

73.67 (e)

No Use and store material in CAA

Monitor CAA with intrusion alarmConduct screening prior to accessBadging / lock systemAccess control to CAAEscort visitorsOn-site watchperson(s) with at least one responderCommunications to respondersWritten response procedures 

Category III No 10 CFR 

73.67 (f)

10 CFR

73.67 (g)

Yes Store material in CAA

Monitor CAA with intrusion alarmWatchperson or offsite response forceWritten response procedures
Part 50:

Previously Proposed Append

• Proposed GDC for physical protection and 

of reprocessing facilities 

• 50.34(a)(3) (i) footnote: “GDC for chemical 

processing facilities are being developed”

• “D i C it i f P t ti f F l “Design Criteria for Protection of Fuel

Reprocessing Plants and Licensed MateriaTherein” 

– 39 Federal Register 26296, July 18th, 1974

– Indefinitely deferred on April 19th, 1984 until n

for NRC’s regulation of a reprocessing facility Federal Register 16699, April 19th, 1984). 

• 19 GDC in 3 categoriesMay 2010