SAND 2003-0751 

March 2003 

Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear 

Monitoring in Bangladesh 

C. S. Karim, Member, Physical Science 

Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission 

Bangladesh

Cooperative Monitoring Center Occasional Paper/27 

Sandia is a multiprogram laboratory operated 

by Sandia Corporation, a Lockheed Martin 

Company, for the United States Department of 

Energy under contract DE-AC04-94AL85000. 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

The Cooperative Monitoring Center (CMC) at Sandia National Laboratories assists political and technical 

experts from around the world to acquire the technology-based tools they need to assess, design, analyze, 

and implement nonproliferation, arms control, and other cooperative security measures. As part of its 

mission, the CMC sponsors research on cooperative security and the role of technology. Reports of that 

work are provided through the Occasional Papers series. Research is conducted by Sandia staff, 

international technical experts, and visiting scholars. (The CMC’s Visiting Scholars Program is 

administered by the Institute for Public Policy at the University of New Mexico.) For additional 

information on the CMC’s programs, visit the CMC home page on the World Wide Web at 

<http://www.cmc.sandia.gov> or write to: 

Cooperative Monitoring Center 

Sandia National Laboratories 

Mail Stop 1373 

Albuquerque, NM 87185-1373 

For specific information on this report contact: 

John Olsen at the above address. 

This report was prepared by Sandia National Laboratories 

Albuquerque, NM 87185 and Livermore, CA 94550 

4
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Concepts for Cooperative 

Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Abstract 

This paper proposes a nuclear cooperative monitoring project in Bangladesh, implemented through a cooperative arrangement between the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission 

(BAEC) under the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology, 

Government of Bangladesh and the Cooperative Monitoring Center at Sandia National Laboratories under the U.S. Department of Energy. The project’s intent is to increase nuclear 

transparency in the South Asia Region in hopes of building confidence in the region. This paper 

identifies the need for and benefits of the project. The author discusses the project’s scope, 

tasks, and phases as well as related issues concerning implementation, operation, and 

maintenance. 

The proposed monitoring project encompasses three components: (1) sharing of 

information on the overall nuclear program (i.e., relevant annual reports); (2) nuclear environmental monitoring; and (3) nuclear facility and materials monitoring. In the first component, the 

cooperative initiative would make currently available information more accessible through a web 

site. In the second component, available data on environmental monitoring would be reviewed 

and authenticated before dissemination. Also, the BAEC’s nuclear monitoring capabilities 

would be strengthened through the acquisition of monitoring technology and the application of 

uniform procedures. New project-developed data would be generated and shared. The third 

component calls for the installation of sensors and other surveillance equipment in key facilities, 

such as a research reactor, an isotope production facility, and a radioactive waste management 

facility. Dissemination of information would enhance nuclear transparency in the region and 

strengthen existing programs of the International Atomic Energy Agency. 

Nuclear transparency in South Asia could help minimize the risks of misinterpretation, 

increase nuclear stability in times of crises, and ensure the effective management and resolution 

of crises. Enhanced security of Bangladesh’s nuclear facilities and materials could reduce the 

possibility of the misuse of nuclear materials. The Bangladesh project could be a model for 

other regions that have nuclear installations, leading to confidence building at regional levels. 

5 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Acknowledgments 

I gratefully acknowledge the support provided by the Department of Energy, Government 

of the United States of America and the Ministry of Science and Information & Communication 

Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh for their support to the project. 

The Cooperative Monitoring Center of the Sandia National Laboratories created an 

atmosphere that was most congenial to the development of the project. CMC itself is a manifestation of transparency through cooperation. I would like to put on record my sincere 

appreciation of the opportunities offered by the CMC that helped conceptualize and formulate 

the project. I owe special thanks to Fred Luetters for his encouragement. 

I express my sincere gratitude to CMC staff members Kent Biringer, George Baldwin, 

Amir Mohaghegi, and consultant Gaurav Rajen for their valuable suggestions. Their willingness 

to share information and experience was instrumental in obtaining a complete picture of what is 

needed to develop a transparency project. They were the sources of my inspiration, and persons 

always eager to extend helping hands with a spirit of cooperation. 

I also wish to recognize the support provided by other staff members, in particular that by 

John Olsen, Tim Crawford, Don Glidewell, Richard Lucero, and Suzanne Cordova for their 

support and for acquainting me with a range of technological options of nuclear transparency. 

I thank Stephen Garcia, whose magical touches turned almost incomprehensible diagrams

into something presentable. 

Eric Whitmore is one of the nicest persons I have ever met. His help was always 

available and he attended to all my requests (however unreasonable those could be) with a smile. 

I have no hesitation in saying that CMC is a great place to work. This has been made 

possible by the support provided constantly by Patricia Dickens and Stephanie Sustaita. They 

tackled all problems with an ease that one can’t even imagine. With them around, work and life 

were always pleasant. 

 C.S. Karim

6
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Contents 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...........................................................................................................9

1. INTRODUCTION.............................................................................................................13

1.1. REGIONAL CONTEXT ...................................................................................................13 

1.2. REGIONAL NUCLEAR CAPABILITIES ............................................................................13 

1.3. PURPOSE .....................................................................................................................17 

1.4. JUSTIFICATION ............................................................................................................17 

1.5. OBJECTIVE AND POSSIBLE OUTCOMES OF THE BANGLADESH 

NUCLEAR MONITORING PROJECT................................................................................18 

1.6. PROJECT EVALUATION CRITERIA ................................................................................19 

2. DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT.......................................................................................20

2.1. PROJECT APPROACH....................................................................................................20 

2.2. SHARING EXISTING INFORMATION ..............................................................................20 

2.3. COOPERATIVE NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING ..........................................21 

2.4 FACILITY AND MATERIAL MONITORING .....................................................................25 

3. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES..................................................................................................26

3.1. COMPONENT 1: SHARING EXISTING INFORMATION ....................................................26 

3.2. COMPONENT 2: COOPERATIVE NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING .................28 

3.3. COMPONENT 3: FACILITY AND MATERIAL MONITORING ............................................31 

4. IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS .................................................................34

4.1. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE.................................................................................34 

4.2. DOCUMENTATION AND REPORTS.................................................................................35 

4.3. APPROVAL PROCESS....................................................................................................36 

5. CONCLUSION..................................................................................................................37

APPENDIX A. EVALUATION CRITERIA............................................................................39

EVALUATION OF PROJECT COMPONENTS..............................................................................39 

APPENDIX B. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .................................................................43

B-1. EQUIPMENT FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING........................................................43 

B-2. FACILITY AND MATERIAL MONITORING......................................................................47 

Figures 

Figure 1. Bangladesh and Surrounding Countries of South Asia and Southeast Asia ...............14 

Figure 2. BAEC Nuclear Establishments ...................................................................................24 

Figure 3: General Plan for CMC/Bangladesh Nuclear Cooperative Monitoring 

Implementation......................................................................................................................34 

7 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Acronyms 

AERE Atomic Energy Research Establishment (Bangladesh) 

BAEC Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission 

C&S containment and surveillance 

CBM confidence building measure 

CMC Cooperative Monitoring Center 

CSCAP Council on Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific 

CTBT Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty 

CVM critical Venturi meter 

DAS data acquisition system

DIRS data and image review system

DOE Department of Energy (US) 

ECNEC Executive Committee of the National Economic Council 

EML Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (US DOE) 

EPA Environmental Protection Agency 

FAST Fiber-Optic Attribute Sensor Technology 

FTE full time equivalent 

IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency 

MDN master data node 

MOSICT Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology 

MW megawatt 

NPT Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the NonProliferation Treaty 

PHWR pressurized heavy water reactor 

QA quality assurance 

R&D research and development 

RCA regional cooperation agreement 

RMS remote monitoring system

SAARC South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation 

SNL Sandia National Laboratories 

SNM special nuclear material 

VFC volumetric flow controller 

8
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

 Concepts for Cooperative 

Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Executive Summary

South Asia is a volatile region with a number of contentious bilateral issues. In spite of

many historical commonalities, the mutual distrust prevailing among some countries of the 

region is disquieting. The state of affairs deteriorated further following the nuclear detonations 

in 1998 by India and Pakistan. There is an urgent need to promote confidence building measures 

(CBMs) among countries in this region to enhance stability and increase cooperation. The 

project proposed here could serve as one possible nuclear-related CBM for South Asia. 

India and Pakistan have mature programs in nuclear research and development (R&D), 

including nuclear power generation and weapons programs. Bangladesh is active in peaceful 

applications including a plan for nuclear power generation. Sri Lanka also uses nuclear 

technologies in various fields. Thus, the region is vulnerable to radiation releases from nuclear 

civilian and weapons-related installations. Being a densely populated region, accidental or 

deliberate radiation releases in South Asia could present a significant risk to human health. 

Issues related to the physical security of nuclear materials and the environmental releases of 

radioactivity are, therefore, of great and common concern to all the countries of South Asia. 

These common issues could form the basis of regional cooperation projects. 

The countries in the region participate in some common nuclear R&D programs under 

the Regional Cooperation Agreement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). 

However, sharing data and information related to nuclear transparency is yet to be on the 

regional agenda. Hence, in the regional context, there is a need to strengthen nuclear 

transparency and build confidence. 

The status of adherence to the international non-proliferation regime in the region varies 

from country to country. Bangladesh has implemented the full range of the non-proliferation 

regime including signing and ratifying the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons 

(NPT) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, and 

Maldives are signatories to the NPT and various safeguards agreements with the IAEA. India 

and Pakistan, on the other hand, have not signed the NPT or the CTBT, and have chosen to have 

a selective and facility-based approach to nuclear verification and IAEA Safeguards. Many 

Indian and Pakistani nuclear facilities are not under any international safeguards. In the absence 

of mutual or international comprehensive monitoring regimes, cooperative monitoring of some

of the non-sensitive aspects of each other’s nuclear facilities could be a viable approach to 

enhance nuclear transparency and build confidence among South Asian countries. Because 

Bangladesh has built advanced nuclear programs that adhere to the international nonproliferation 

regime, its nuclear facilities present a favorable opportunity for demonstrating cooperative 

monitoring technologies. 

The Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), under the Ministry of Science and 

Information & Communication Technology, is responsible for nuclear-related activities in 

9 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Bangladesh. The BAEC’s key installations, located at its complex at Savar, include a 3-MW

research reactor, an isotope production facility, and a radioactive waste facility. Radiation 

technology for medical, industrial, and agricultural applications is used in other locations in the 

country. 

In addition to its strong support for non-proliferation, Bangladesh is also committed to 

fostering regional stability. After the nuclear detonations in India and Pakistan in 1998, the 

Bangladesh government played a proactive role in requesting India and Pakistan to show 

restraint in using their respective nuclear capabilities. Bangladesh also successfully initiated the 

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, which remains one of the few political 

frameworks in which India and Pakistan consistently engage in dialogue. Such actions 

distinguish Bangladesh in the region. 

In 2000, the Cooperative Monitoring Center (CMC) of Sandia National Laboratories 

(SNL) initiated collaboration with the BAEC on a proposed cooperative nuclear monitoring 

project. During a meeting between CMC and BAEC staff in Bangladesh in March 2001, two 

promising avenues for collaboration were identified: (1) nuclear environmental monitoring, and 

(2) facility and materials monitoring. These ideas were developed into a specific plan of action 

during the visit to Sandia by the author in February-April 2002. In a continuation of these 

efforts, Bangladesh and the CMC are proposing to initiate a nuclear monitoring project to 

improve nuclear stability and build trust and confidence in the region. 

Initially, this proposed collaboration with the CMC would involve solely Bangladesh 

entities. Eventually, it is hoped that Bangladesh’s efforts to share monitoring data from its 

nuclear facilities would motivate other countries in the region to participate in the transparency 

project. 

The proposed monitoring project encompasses three components: (1) sharing of information on the overall nuclear program (i.e., relevant annual reports); (2) nuclear environmental 

monitoring; and (3) nuclear facility and materials monitoring. In the first component, the 

cooperative initiative would make currently available information more accessible through a web 

site. In the second component, as an initial step, available data on environmental monitoring 

would be reviewed and authenticated before dissemination. In a subsequent stage of this 

component, the infrastructure and capacity of the BAEC in related activities would be strengthened through the acquisition of monitoring technology and the application of uniform

procedures, and new project-developed data would be generated and shared, as opposed to the 

sharing of pre-existing data gathered for separate programs. In the third component, sensors and 

other surveillance equipment would be installed in key installations, such as the research reactor, 

the isotope production facility, and the radioactive waste management facility, for capturing data 

and information on facility and materials status on a continuous basis. Dissemination of 

information would enhance nuclear transparency in the region and to strengthen existing IAEA 

verification programs. 

The project would strengthen activities in Bangladesh in nuclear verification and 

environmental monitoring. The project would also establish a precedent for regional practices. 

In the future, the scope of the cooperative monitoring project can be extended to provide 

linkages to other similar nuclear transparency projects under way in the Asia-Pacific region, such 

10
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

as through the Council on Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP) and other 

conventional environmental monitoring projects under way in South Asia, thereby creating 

additional mutual benefits. 

Nuclear transparency in South Asia could help minimize the risks of misinterpretation, 

increase nuclear stability in times of crises, and ensure the effective management and resolution 

of crises. Enhanced security of nuclear facilities and materials would reduce the possibility of

the misuse of nuclear materials for destructive purposes in the country or elsewhere. 

The Bangladesh project could be a model for other regions that have nuclear installations, 

leading to confidence building at regional levels. The United States and Bangladesh have signed 

a nuclear cooperation agreement, which, among other issues, provides for cooperation in the 

general areas of security of nuclear facilities and materials and safeguards. Bangladesh has the 

expertise and experience to conduct the envisaged monitoring activities on a sustainable basis. 

Cooperation between the CMC and the BAEC at the operation level would have far-reaching 

benefits for both the parties. 

Bangladesh is the only country in the region that is currently agreeable to initiating the 

proposed project. The project has the potential to assume a regional dimension. At present, 

there is no other viable proposition to even conceptualize a regional approach to nuclear nonproliferation in South Asia. 

11 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

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12
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Concepts for Cooperative 

Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

1. Introduction 

1.1. Regional Context 

South Asia1 (Figure 1) is a volatile region with contentious bilateral issues, occasional 

political turmoil, and internal and external ethnic clashes. One source of regional tension relates 

to the effects of nuclear activities and development in South Asia. For example, the construction 

and operation of new nuclear power stations in India are causes for concern for neighboring 

Bangladesh. India mines uranium near its border with Bangladesh. In addition, Bangladesh 

plans to implement its own nuclear power program, which could affect other States in the region. 

Of deepest concern is the mutual distrust and antagonism resulting from the conflicts 

between India and Pakistan. Over a half-century of conflict has created a precarious situation: 

the possibility of a pre-emptive nuclear first strike followed by retaliation.2

 It was, however, 

heartening to note that both countries showed restraint during the Kargil skirmishes, which 

emerged one year after the May 1998 nuclear tests, when combat was limited to conventional 

weapons. They again showed restraint in the summer of 2002 when tensions concerning 

terrorism were high. This mutual restraint provides a glimmer of hope that the nuclear weapon 

capabilities within South Asia may never be deployed. In 1998, Bangladesh played a proactive 

role in requesting India and Pakistan to show restraint in using their respective nuclear 

capabilities.3

 Nuclear-related confidence building measures (CBMs) could reinforce the nuclear 

restraint being demonstrated by India and Pakistan. The projects proposed and studied in this 

paper could serve the role of such nuclear CBMs in South Asia. 

1.2. Regional Nuclear Capabilities 

In South Asia, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka are involved in nuclear-related 

activities. There is a very wide divergence in their respective national goals, programs, 

expertise, and infrastructure. The nuclear program in Bangladesh is a legacy of its existence as 

East Pakistan, and its nuclear activities were initiated simultaneously with those in current 

Pakistan (formerly West Pakistan). From the time of independence in 1971 and the subsequent 

formation of the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission (BAEC), the intent of Bangladesh’s 

nuclear research and development (R&D) has focused exclusively on peaceful applications. 

 

1 The term “South Asia” is considered in this report to be the regional grouping made up of the countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka) that comprise the South Asian Association for 

Regional Cooperation (SAARC). 2 Vijay K. Nair, The Structure of an Indian Deterrent in India’s Nuclear Deterrent: Pokhran II and Beyond; 

Amitabh Matto, ed., Har Anand Publication Ltd., India, 1999. 

3

 Bangladesh Statement to the IAEA General Conference, 1998. 

13 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Figure 1. Bangladesh and Surrounding Countries of South Asia and Southeast Asia 

Pakistan has implemented a national nuclear weapons program and has developed missile 

capabilities to deliver warheads. India has mature programs in peaceful and weapons-related 

applications of nuclear and missile technologies. The use of nuclear technologies in Sri Lanka is 

limited to their applications in a few selected fields, such as non-destructive testing using nuclear 

techniques, tracer technology, and radiation technology.4

 Nepal, Maldives, and Bhutan are not 

active in the nuclear energy field. 

Thus, the region has the potential for the release of radioactivity originating from an 

accident in a nuclear installation or from a nuclear weapon detonation. In such a complex 

situation in a region with over 1.3 billion people, the need for reassurance and confidence 

building assumes overwhelming importance. Nuclear monitoring and transparency can pave the 

way to such a confidence building process. On the other hand, implementation of a regional 

monitoring system and transparency has several impediments, including mutual distrust of 

bilateral and multilateral initiatives. The proposed nuclear monitoring project could be a 

trendsetter with the expectation that the experience could motivate others in the region to 

participate in the future. 

 

4

 IAEA/RCA website (http://www.rca.iaea.org/SRL/rca2.html. 

14
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

In the hope that neither India nor Pakistan would take pre-emptive action involving 

nuclear weapons, this paper has the following premises: 

• There is a need to eliminate or reduce tension caused by a lack of confidence. 

• Nuclear transparency and cooperation may help build confidence. (See the inset for a 

discussion on recent changes in attitudes towards nuclear transparency, and the approach 

adopted in this paper.) 

• Confidence building between India and Pakistan may be initiated through a third country in 

the region, such as Bangladesh. 

Except for India and Pakistan, all countries in the region have signed the Treaty on NonProliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and Bilateral Safeguards Agreements with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Pakistan and India, however, have adopted a conditional 

approach to safeguards, whereby selected facilities (or subparts) are under a bilateral verification 

program under the auspices of the IAEA. The IAEA’s verification program restricts the distribution of results or findings of site inspections to internal reports and the country concerned, which 

limits the nuclear transparency associated with the IAEA’s programs. 

Experience shows that the countries in the region are, in some cases, agreeable to sharing 

non-sensitive data and information.5

 The technologies involved, the underlying purpose of data 

sharing, and the sensitivity and relevance of the monitoring project to national interests are some

of the factors that can influence the decision on cooperation. The scope of these types of 

projects evolves over time and depends on bilateral and multilateral relationships. For example, 

after the commissioning of the Farakka Barrage on the Ganges upstream of Bangladesh territory 

in the early 1970s, it was almost inconceivable that data on the Ganges could be shared between 

Bangladesh and India. The barrage on the Ganges upstream of Bangladesh territory is used to 

divert water from this transboundary river during the lean period, thereby causing problems of 

availability of water and silt deposits on the riverbed. This became a major contentious issue 

between the two countries. Data on flow and other parameters were considered sensitive and 

were thus protected. The change in the approach to data sharing occurred only in the mid-1990s. 

In light of this possibility of progressively increasing the sharing of sensitive data, a multilateral 

approach to nuclear transparency could be one option that might be acceptable to all the 

countries in the region. A nuclear transparency project can start with a single country, such as 

Bangladesh, and as the system evolves and intentions are made clear, other countries might feel 

encouraged to participate in the project. The proposed monitoring project could eventually 

become part of a larger confidence building process. 

 

5 Gaurav Rajen, Kent L. Biringer, and J. David Betsill, The South Asia Cooperative Environmental Monitoring 

Project: An Effort to Promote Regional Cooperation and Water Quality Data Sharing in South Asia, Cooperative Monitoring Center, Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque NM, USA, SAND 2001-0722. 

15 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Transparency: An Evolving Concept 

Nuclear transparency can help build confidence and can be initiated on a unilateral, bilateral, 

regional, or multilateral basis. For example, India and Pakistan have implemented Bilateral 

Safeguards Agreements with the IAEA on a selective basis, offering a few facilities, or 

subparts, for verification. National positions and attitudes towards transparency and 

verification sometimes change with the evolving national political agenda. In South Africa, 

the policy changed from a complete blackout of information to a fully developed 

transparency regime after changes occurred in the domestic political scene. 

A State’s decision to allow transparency has become more complicated after the terrorist 

acts of September 11, 2001. While a nuclear weapon has not been used, it is widely feared 

that the terrorists were or are in the process of acquiring the technology, materials, and 

human resources to produce a weapon of mass destruction or a “dirty” bomb with high-level 

nuclear wastes. Policy makers face the quandary that providing sensitive information to the 

public makes it available to terrorists as well. 

With this scenario in mind, the question of nuclear transparency needs some objective 

rethinking. Information and data must be carefully stratified to avoid creating vulnerabilities. 

Strategies such as withdrawing sensitive information from the public domain, disguising 

certain information, artificially delaying the dissemination of data, etc. are receiving serious 

attention. Hopefully, through compromise, proponents can keep the essential tenet and 

spirit of transparency unchanged, while meeting the more important requirements of 

maintaining security and preventing the abuse of knowledge. The approach to transparency 

needs to answer three basic questions: 

1. What data should I share? 

2. Who should have access to the data? 

3. How do I share the information securely? 

In the case of the Bangladesh Nuclear Monitoring Project, the original concept of 

transparency has evolved since the first meeting in March 2001. Because of the 9/11 

terrorist attacks, the project team has revisited the need and scope of cooperative nuclear 

monitoring. It appears that transparency could even cause more harm than benefits if theft 

of nuclear material in one country resulted in a destructive incident in another country. The 

physical security of facilities and materials, therefore, assumes a priority that is higher than 

the desire for transparency. The possible vulnerabilities that full-scale transparency could 

cause call for a selective approach to nuclear transparency. 

Some of the options for selective data sharing are: 

• Share simulated and not-to-scale data—use cartoons instead of actual schematics 

or maps 

• Provide conceptual rather than specific information on strategic areas of a facility 

• Provide aggregate data for public consumption 

• Delay the release of certain information and provide it in the form of past history 

(such as annual reports) 

• Omit some values 

• Withhold data that reveal details of physical protection systems (such as locations of 

doors, guard stations, and other sensitive features of physical security) 

16
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

1.3. Purpose 

This report proposes a nuclear cooperative monitoring project in Bangladesh, implemented through a cooperative arrangement between the BAEC under the Ministry of Science and 

Information & Communication Technology (MOSICT), Government of Bangladesh and the 

Cooperative Monitoring Center (CMC) at Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) under the U.S. 

Department of Energy (DOE). The project’s intent is to increase nuclear transparency in the 

South Asia region in hopes of building confidence in the region. This paper identifies the need 

for and benefits of the project and the project’s scope, tasks, and phases and discusses related 

issues, including implementation, operation, and maintenance. 

1.4. Justification 

Countries in South Asia cooperate under the Regional Cooperation Agreement (RCA) 

framework of the IAEA. However, the sharing of data and information related to nuclear 

transparency is yet to be on the regional agenda. Hence, there is a need to strengthen regional 

nuclear transparency. Cooperative nuclear monitoring is one avenue to enhance and complement 

the goals of the global nonproliferation regime. 

To combat the volatility and distrust among countries in South Asia, a regional 

monitoring project with transparency used as the enabling mechanism could facilitate confidence 

building. The envisaged nuclear monitoring project in Bangladesh could establish a precedent 

for regional practices. In the future, the scope of the cooperative monitoring project could be 

extended to provide linkages to other similar nuclear transparency projects under way in the 

Asia-Pacific region, such as through the Council on Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific 

(CSCAP) and other conventional environmental monitoring projects under way in South Asia, 

thereby creating additional mutual benefits. In its ultimate phase and depending on the success 

of these initiating activities, a regional cooperative monitoring center could become a reality. 

Since the incidents of September 11, 2001, international concern for the security of 

nuclear facilities and materials has assumed more importance, especially as materials stolen from

even a research reactor or a waste storage facility could be targeted to a distant country. The 

Bangladesh project could be a trendsetter for implementing similar projects in other regions with 

nuclear installations, leading to confidence building at regional levels. 

With over four decades of active development of nuclear capability, Bangladesh is an 

example of a state that adheres to all accepted norms of the global nuclear nonproliferation 

regime, including full-scope IAEA safeguards under the NPT, the Protocol Additional to IAEA 

Safeguards, and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Other states in the region do not 

yet participate fully in the nonproliferation regime. For example, India and Pakistan have not 

signed the NPT or the CTBT; however, they do accept IAEA safeguards on particular facilities 

or systems. 

Ongoing and future nuclear activities in the region can produce effects that extend 

beyond State boundaries. Examples include releases of airborne radiation from nuclear 

installations, fallout from nuclear weapons testing, accidents, deliberate use, pollution from

17 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

uranium mining operations, accumulation of spent reactor fuels and radioactive wastes, 

radioactivity from secondary coolant discharges into the sea or transboundary rivers, and theft of 

materials or sabotage of facilities. Such interdependence increases the importance of the 

regional approach to transparency. As a densely populated region, South Asia is especially 

concerned about vulnerabilities in physical security and environmental protection. 

The BAEC is responsible for nuclear-related activities in Bangladesh. Its key 

installations, located at its complex at Savar, include a 3-MW TRIGA research reactor, an 

isotope production facility, and a radioactive waste facility. Radiation technology for medical, 

industrial, and agricultural use are also applied in other locations in the country. Thus, a number 

of opportunities exist for nuclear monitoring in Bangladesh. 

The project would strengthen activities in Bangladesh in nuclear verification and 

environmental monitoring. The spin-off benefits at the national level would include capacity 

building in monitoring, acquiring reliable background information on the radiation loading of the 

environment, supplementing safeguards obligations, and tracking materials. 

The United States and Bangladesh have signed a nuclear cooperation agreement, which, 

among other issues, provides for cooperation in the general areas of security of nuclear facilities 

and materials and safeguards. Bangladesh has the expertise and experience to conduct the 

proposed monitoring activities on a sustainable basis. Cooperation between the CMC and the 

BAEC at the operation level would have far-reaching benefits for both the parties. 

1.5. Objective and Possible Outcomes of the Bangladesh Nuclear Monitoring 

Project 

The cardinal objective of the proposed cooperative nuclear monitoring project is to 

demonstrate a practical example of nuclear transparency in South Asia. 

The possible outcomes of transparency through cooperative monitoring are as follows: 

• Building/enhancing confidence and creating awareness at the national level 

• Building/enhancing confidence at the regional level (South Asia), thereby reducing regional 

tensions 

• Cooperating with other countries on issues of nuclear transparency on an extended regional 

basis (such as security cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region) 

• Obtaining data and information on nuclear accidents and resulting radiation release to the 

environment in the region through a regional monitoring network and using such information 

in evolving emergency action plans to mitigate the effects 

• Addressing the needs for further enhancing national credibility with regard to the 

international non-proliferation regime

18
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

1.6. Project Evaluation Criteria 

Criteria were developed for ranking candidate projects with respect to their relevance and 

importance to the overall objectives and goals of the project. Appendix A contains the full 

evaluation criteria. In summary, the criteria were divided into the required and the desired 

acceptance criteria, as follows: 

1.6.1. Required Criteria 

The required criteria include the following: 

• Conforming to non-proliferation agreements or protocols 

• Capabilities and features that demonstrate regional nuclear transparency 

• Of interest to, acceptable to, and involving both the BAEC and the CMC 

• Employing established and compatible technologies and using readily available 

consumables, spare parts, etc. 

• Compatible with environmental conditions in Bangladesh (e.g., temperature, humidity) 

• Reasonably short implementation time 

• Implementable, operable, and maintainable locally 

• Sustainable operation and long operating life with optimal operating cost 

• Minimal potential negative consequences or effects 

1.6.2. Desired Criteria 

The desired criteria include the following: 

• Potential for involving other regional and international agencies in funding and the exchange 

of information and data on nuclear transparency 

• Tangible spin-off benefits to the collaborating parties 

• Capable of being extended in the future to a regional or international network 

• The system and equipment are cost-optimal 

• Expandable to additional nuclear monitoring applications 

• Ability to include the system as a part of a comprehensive project on nuclear transparency 

and non-proliferation 

• Technology transfer and adoption by the recipient 

• Sandia National Laboratories can supply required equipment and systems 

19 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

2. Description of Project 

2.1. Project Approach 

The important event leading to the conceptualization of a cooperative nuclear monitoring 

project for Bangladesh was a visit to that country by a three-member team from the CMC in 

March 2001. The issues of mutual interest were identified initially as follows: 

(a) Environmental Monitoring, 

(b) Facilities and Materials, and 

(c) Regional and Cross-Boundary issues. 

Preliminary identification of concepts and technologies related to cooperative nuclear 

monitoring emerged from discussions of these issues, resulting in the development of a Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring Project for Bangladesh. It is envisaged that the proposed elements of 

the project would be implemented in phases, beginning with the one that would be comparatively 

easy to implement, entail limited resources and money, but would have immediate results and 

visibility. The duration of the initial project cycle is estimated to be three years, followed by an 

extended period of its operation and maintenance and information sharing. 

The nuclear monitoring activities are planned to encompass three broad areas: 

1. Sharing Existing Information—Survey existing general information sources at 

the BAEC and the CMC and select items that could benefit both organizations as 

well as the public and provide the information on a global-access web site. 

2. Cooperative Nuclear Environmental Monitoring—Use the current BAEC 

infrastructure to provide nuclear monitoring data from air, water, soil, and 

vegetation samples. Share information as appropriate and choose a subset of 

information for release to the public. For example, airborne radioactivity levels 

could be shared with the public via the web site to build confidence in the safety of

nearby reactors. The BAEC has experience in these types of monitoring activities. 

3. Facility and Materials Monitoring—Approved and carefully chosen information 

about reactor operations and physical security information would be released to the 

BAEC or CMC. A limited subset (see the inset on Transparency: An Evolving 

Concept) of information might be made available on the public web site. 

The activities provide a phased approach to nuclear monitoring and transparency, with 

the long-term goal of involving other countries in the region. 

2.2. Sharing Existing Information 

Existing data and information such as annual reports, descriptions of key R&D programs, 

operating experiences, etc., may be shared. This approach may help in launching the cooperative 

monitoring activities in a relatively short time frame. 

20
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

2.3. Cooperative Nuclear Environmental Monitoring 

The BAEC has some experience and resources (i.e., facilities and trained personnel) in 

the field of nuclear environmental monitoring. The ongoing BAEC activities may be expanded 

and authenticated data and/or information may be made available through a network as a part of 

transparency. The main advantage of this approach as an initial activity of cooperative 

monitoring is the BAEC’s pre-existing expertise and the ready availability of some data. 

This portion of the nuclear environmental project may be split into the following phases. 

• Phase 1: Sharing of existing data and information on nuclear environmental 

monitoring 

Data and information selected for sharing must meet some general conditions of quality, 

reliability, and consistency to ensure that the project goals of transparency and 

confidence building are met. 

• Phase 2: Strengthening activities on nuclear environmental monitoring and the 

collection of new project-developed data 

BAEC projects on nuclear environmental monitoring should be strengthened to make the 

BAEC’s expertise and infrastructure compatible with state-of-the-art systems. This may 

proceed with the appraisal of the existing project and by examining various features and 

capabilities of the BAEC. This includes the identification of: 

• Strengths and weaknesses of the present activities and facilities 

• Current procedures and areas needing improvement 

• Additional measures including technological inputs needed to upgrade the existing system

• Technology needed for networking (i.e., BAEC/CMC communications) 

2.3.1. Protocol and Procedures 

A comprehensive protocol should be developed to address the following: 

• Collecting samples 

• Defining the procedures and methodology for analysis including needed equipment and 

facilities 

• Selecting equipment for sampling and analysis 

• Creating a quality assurance (QA) program that includes cross verification (for example, 

participating in the QA Program of the DOE Environmental Monitoring Laboratory). 

21 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

2.3.2. Scope of Environmental Monitoring 

At present, environmental samples (other than air) are collected from 64 administrative 

districts of the country. The following laboratories could be used for additional projectdeveloped sample collection: 

• Eleven nuclear medicine centers of the BAEC 

• Beach Sand Exploration Center, Cox’s Bazaar 

• Site Office for Rooppur Nuclear Power Project 

Sample collection would require a uniform protocol to be developed for the purpose. The 

infrastructure and capacity of the BAEC would require enhancements to enable the systematic 

survey and analysis of various types of samples. 

Sample analysis may be distributed between the Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka and the 

Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology. The Radiation Testing and Monitoring Laboratory 

at Chittagong may concentrate on sampling and analysis of marine and coastal water. 

The importance of sampling marine and coastal water and benchmarking its background 

radioactivity is evident from the following: 

• Some Indian nuclear power plants are located along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and use 

sea water as their respective ultimate heat sinks; others are located along transboundary 

rivers that flow into the Bay of Bengal.6

• The beach sand along the coastline has comparatively higher content of certain types of 

heavy and radioactive minerals, such as illmenite, magnetite, rutile, monazite, kyanite, 

zircon, etc.7

There is a need for reliable background radiation measurements, mapping, and analysis 

for samples of air, water (including surface, ground, coastal, and rain water), soil, sediment, 

vegetation, food chain elements (such as cereals, milk, meat, and fish), and various bioassays. 

The desired analysis parameters would include gamma spectrum, gross alpha, gross beta, 

tritium, and uranium and thorium isotopic analysis. 

 

6 The Madras Atomic Power Station, for example, is located along India’s east coast near the city of Chennai with

two 170-MWe pressurized heavy water reactors (PHWRs) that are located along the southern edges of the Bay 

of Bengal. The Narora Atomic Power Station has two 220-MWe PHWRs and is located in the state of Uttar 

Pradesh. Coolant water discharges from this site could affect the Ganges River, which flows into Bangladesh 

and into the Bay of Bengal. For details of these power plants, see the web site of India’s Department of Atomic

Energy: http://www.dae.gov.in/.

7 The Beach Sand Exploration Center at Cox’s Bazaar has studied the characteristics of Bangladesh’s beach sands 

and is working to extract heavy minerals from these sands. See http://www.rca.iaea.org/BGD/BAEC%20 

Latest%20WelCome%20Page%20.htm. 

22
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

The infrastructure and capacity of the BAEC require enhancements to enable the staff to 

conduct systematic surveys and analysis of various types of samples. 

For water, soil, and biological analyses, samples would be collected from designated 

places in the country through various BAEC establishments. The analysis would be conducted 

in three laboratories situated at Atomic Energy Research Establishment (AERE), Savar; the 

Atomic Energy Center, Dhaka; and the Radiation Testing and Monitoring Laboratory, 

Chittagong. BAEC establishments are located at all these places, which could help optimize the 

cost of operation and maintenance. 

The main objective for establishing the air sampling data stations is to obtain information 

on background airborne radiation in Bangladesh. Such monitoring would help assess the 

changes resulting from accidental release of radiation from a facility within the territorial limits 

of the country or beyond it. At least six such stations could be established in the following areas 

of the country (Figure 2): 

• Savar: An air-monitoring unit near the research reactor would help assess the airborne 

radioactivity in and around the reactor (e.g., for an area within a 10 km radius). This would 

provide the benchmark measurement and monitor potential airborne radioactive releases 

from the facility. 

• Khulna (Southwest): Proximity of this site to the Sunderbans mangrove forest (entered on 

the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural 

Organization) would make the data useful, especially because a new nuclear power plant 

may be built by India near this region. 

• Rooppur (Midwest): The site selected for the planned nuclear power plant in the district of 

Pabna. Benchmark information on background radiation would help assess the possible 

radiological implications of building the proposed power plant at this site. 

• Sylhet (Northeast), Rangpur (Northwest), and Chittagong (Southeast): Capturing data on 

airborne radiation resulting from nuclear accidents or nuclear weapon projects originating 

beyond the nation’s borders. 

2.3.3. Frequency of Environmental Sampling 

Considering the seasonal variations and the cost of off-line sampling and monitoring, it 

would be useful to collect environmental samples of soil, water, and vegetation twice a year, i.e., 

during May to September (monsoon) and December to April (dry months). These two sets of 

data from each data station would incorporate the major seasonal variations. In the beginning, 

however, it would be useful to collect four sets of data for a year, which could be used for future 

reference and benchmarking. 

Air samples would be collected and analyzed continuously (with the exception of maintenance time, i.e., allowing time to change filters). 

23 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Figure 2. BAEC Nuclear Establishments 

24
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

2.4 Facility and Material Monitoring 

Key surveillance areas include the reactor, fresh and spent fuel storage pits, the ventilation system/stack, radioactive waste management and intermediate storage facility, and isotope 

production, etc.8

 The identified types of monitoring are: 

• Access monitoring, 

• Access control and physical security, 

• Exchange of information on operation, abnormal situations/events, and utilization of research 

reactor, and 

• In-house material accounting/monitoring on a continuous basis to supplement periodic 

inspections by the IAEA. 

Atomic Energy Research Establishment, Savar 

The three facilities and associated areas at the Atomic Energy Research Establishment 

(AERE) in Savar considered most suitable for enhanced containment and surveillance 

monitoring projects are the: 

(a) Research Reactor Facility, including fresh and spent fuel storage, the control room, 

the reactor core, and the top of the reactor pool. 

(b) Radioactive Waste Management Laboratory, including temporary storage of radioactive wastes. 

(c) Isotope Production Laboratory, including inventory of imported Molybdenum-99, 

material balancing, and glove boxes. 

Areas of interest include material identification, material balancing, physical security, 

safety issues, and radiation control. A variety of technological options for monitoring, surveillance, tamper indication, and imaging (continuous, intermittent, or triggered) are available for 

conducting a comprehensive containment and surveillance project. 

 

8 The facilities identified here need monitoring from both a management perspective and to enhance their physical 

security and safety. It does not automatically mean that all the data and information would be relevant to the 

project proposed in this document.

25 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

3. Specific Activities 

The project approach is to use the existing infrastructure at facilities in the BAEC and the 

resources available at the CMC to provide relevant monitoring information to the partners and a 

limited subset of that information to the public via the Internet to enhance nuclear transparency 

and build confidence. 

The project has three main components described previously in Section 2.1. In this 

chapter, proposed activities related to each of these components are described in greater detail. 

3.1. Component 1: Sharing Existing Information 

3.1.1. Objective 

The objective of the first component is for the BAEC and the CMC to exchange sets of 

existing information on a regular basis. 

3.1.2. Description 

The general types of information to be shared could include the following: 

• Lists of BAEC establishments and other organizational matters 

• A description of the overall nuclear R&D program, including Bangladesh’s commitment to 

the nonproliferation and verification regime

• Extracts from past annual reports 

• Sample annual report on the research reactor9

• A status paper on the national plan on the introduction of nuclear power 

• Past publications on environmental nuclear monitoring (references and abstracts) 

• Publications on issues relevant to the use of nuclear technology 

• Publications available from the CMC 

• Description of the experience and expertise of the CMC in remote monitoring projects 

• Monitoring systems and equipment available through the CMC 

• Results obtained from selected cooperating partners of the CMC (with the partners’ 

approval) 

 

9 The research reactor was not in full operation for some years. Thus, a representative annual report would be 

more relevant. As the program progresses, updated annual reports may also be included. 

26
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

• Support that may be available from the CMC in establishing remote nuclear monitoring 

systems, etc. 

The information would be disseminated through a public web site. Initially the web site 

would include the items listed above, as well as a short description on the objectives and goals of 

the nuclear monitoring project. Information could be added progressively, such as the status of 

the treaties, agreements, protocols, etc., related to safeguards and verification related to the 

countries in the region. 

On the web site, links to the following would be provided: 

• Existing regional institutions and web sites relevant to nuclear activities, institutions, nuclear 

programs, facilities, etc. 

• CMC web site 

• Future web site of the BAEC 

• Web sites of other nuclear-related agencies who may be encouraged to provide links 

• Other relevant web sites on Safeguards (i.e., the IAEA) 

• Regional cooperative conventional monitoring projects (such as water) implemented through 

cooperation with the CMC 

The exchange of existing public or semi-public information has several advantages: the 

information is immediately available, has a low level of sensitivity, and has low implementation 

costs. 

3.1.3. Activities 

Activities under this component would be the exchange of currently available 

information on nuclear-related activities, which would enable quick implementation. The only 

time-critical item is the development, testing, and maintenance of the web site. 

Activity Description Responsibility

1 Select materials, reports, information, etc., for exchange CMC and BAEC 

2 Design the web site for the Nuclear Monitoring Project of 

Bangladesh 

CMC and BAEC 

3 Implement and launch web site CMC and BAEC 

Time frame: Three months from initiation of the cooperative monitoring project. 

27 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

3.1.4. Output of Component 1 

1. Availability of data and information on a web site to enhance nuclear transparency. 

2. A path created for facilitating regional/international cooperation. The web site 

could motivate voluntary participation by other countries in the region. With 

additional participants, the web site could eventually become a tool for enhancing 

nuclear transparency on a regional or international basis. 

3.2. Component 2: Cooperative Nuclear Environmental Monitoring 

3.2.1. Objective – Phase 1: Sharing existing information on nuclear environmental 

monitoring 

The objective of Phase 1 of this component is to share existing data and information on 

nuclear environmental monitoring. 

3.2.2. Description 

BAEC has been active in nuclear environmental monitoring for many years. Initial 

efforts concentrated on obtaining background radiation levels. The scope was enhanced 

following the installation of the research reactor and the accident at Chernobyl. Analysis is 

conducted on a variety of air, water, soil, and vegetation samples. Some of the investigations 

form parts of a regional project as well as coordinated research programs of the IAEA. The 

studies are conducted in three different laboratories of the BAEC. The objectives of the studies 

are different and therefore use different procedures and QA procedures. The equipment, procedures, and QA program also vary from one laboratory to the other as well as from one project to 

the other. Some of the data conforms to a given international standard, which can serve as the 

basis for exchange at the initial stage of the cooperative monitoring project. Before these are 

made available for multilateral sharing, it is essential that their quality and reliability be 

assessed. 

The partners would need to address the following issues: 

(a) Status of the existing environmental monitoring activities of the BAEC 

(b) Equipment and facility in use and their adequacy 

(c) Procedures and methodology 

(d) Quality and reliability of data 

(e) Relevance of the data to the objectives of the cooperative monitoring project 

The exchange of existing nuclear environmental monitoring data has several advantages: 

the information is immediately available, has a low level of sensitivity, and is low cost. 

28
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

3.2.3. Activities 

Data that meet requirements for quality and reliability would be selected for sharing. A 

standard format would be developed jointly by the CMC and the BAEC. In parallel, the CMC 

may share available data from its projects that relate to nuclear environmental monitoring. 

Activity Description Responsibility

1 Develop a format for evaluation of data CMC and BAEC 

2 Provide identified data for dissemination through the web 

site

BAEC 

3 Evaluate existing data CMC and BAEC 

Time frame: Six months from initiation of the cooperative monitoring project. 

3.2.4. Output of Component 2, Phase 1 

1. BAEC environmental data validated with respect to their relevance to nuclear 

transparency. 

2. Reliable environmental monitoring data available for dissemination through a web 

site. 

3. A test bed for the second phase of sharing new project-developed data on environmental monitoring. 

3.2.5. Objective – Phase 2: Strengthening nuclear environmental monitoring and sample

collection and sharing of project-developed data 

The objective of Phase 2, Component 2 is to enhance the capacity of the BAEC in 

nuclear environmental monitoring and to make new project-developed data and information 

available for use at the national level and for dissemination though the web site. 

3.2.6. Description 

Some new equipment and facilities would be needed to strengthen the capabilities and 

capacity of the BAEC in the field of nuclear environmental monitoring and to conduct the 

studies on a sustainable basis. It is proposed that the CMC would provide the needed equipment 

and the BAEC would provide administrative resources for installation, infrastructure, and facility 

upgrades, including upgrading the liquid nitrogen production unit. The table below describes the 

enhanced facilities and the new equipment needed. Appendix B provides details of the needed 

equipment. 

Quantity CMC-Provided Item (Description) 

2 Gamma Spectroscopy (40% HPGe, p-type, amplifier, ADC, interface board, PC, and 

software) HPGe Detectors

1 Integrated Alpha Spec System (24 chambers with surface barrier detectors, processing 

electronics, vacuum system, interface board, PC, and software) 

1 Liquid Scintillation Counter (H-3, alpha/beta separation capability, sample changer) 

6 PM-10 Large volume air sampling stations 

29 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

3.2.7. Activities 

The activities for implementing this component would involve developing a sampling 

protocol that would be agreed to by all parties, and then a series of sampling actions as described 

in the protocol. 

The protocol should address the following: 

• Defining the data quality objectives (i.e., chain-of-custody requirements, types of analysis, 

detection limits, turn-around times, analytical methods, and reporting formats and procedures) 

• Sample collection and field preparation, if any, before analysis 

• Sample receipt and storage by the laboratory 

• Sample preparation and radiochemistry 

• Sample counting, analysis, and reporting 

• Data review and validation 

• QA, including cross verification (for example, participating in the QA program at the U.S. 

DOE’s Environmental Monitoring Laboratory (EML), quality control (e.g., instrument 

checks), independent analysis of a subset of the samples through SNL, procedures, and 

training, etc.) Links would be established with the EML on collaboration in quality control 

(blind samples or cross verification of results). 

The following actions are to be initiated for implementing the above concepts: 

Activity Description Responsibility

1 Review BAEC’s existing environmental monitoring 

program and identify areas of for improvement 

CMC and BAEC 

2 Identify monitoring required CMC and BAEC 

3 Identify equipment/facilities (including the preparation of 

technical specification) required for establishing a 

complete, state-of-the-art nuclear environmental 

monitoring system 

CMC and BAEC 

4 Determine the scope and identify sampling locations CMC and BAEC 

5 Develop a protocol (following the practices of DOE’s EML) CMC and BAEC 

6 Establish linkages with DOE’s EML. Collaborate on 

Quality Control (i.e., blind samples or cross verification of 

results) 

CMC and BAEC 

7 Evaluate technologies CMC and BAEC 

8 Procure and install initial monitoring system CMC and BAEC 

9 Identify options and determine preferred methods for data 

capturing, authentication, and transmittal 

CMC and BAEC 

10 Determine the scope for data and information exchange CMC and BAEC 

11 Provide periodic project reports BAEC 

Time frame: One year from the initiation of the cooperative monitoring project. 

30
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

3.2.8. Output of Phase 2, Component 2 

1. Enhanced technical capabilities of Bangladesh in nuclear environmental 

monitoring. 

2. Reliable, quality data on the background radiation in water, soil, coastal areas, and 

air, which could lead to the development of a state-of-the-art national mapping of 

background radiation levels. 

3. Capability to capture radiation levels and migration paths resulting from routine or 

accidental releases from nuclear facilities within the country or beyond its borders. 

4. Data available for the preparation of emergency response plans. 

5. Data available for future studies of the effects of uranium mining in the country or 

beyond its borders. 

6. Sharing data, leading to enhanced nuclear transparency. 

3.3. Component 3: Facility and Material Monitoring 

3.3.1. Objective 

The objective of the third component is to enhance the BAEC’s capabilities in safeguards 

and physical protection monitoring and to make available data and information for use at the 

national level and for a subset of the data and information to be disseminated though the public 

web site. 

3.3.2. Description 

Key nuclear installations and special nuclear material (SNM) located at the AERE in 

Savar would require additional technology for monitoring of materials and of access to sensitive 

areas. These technologies would enhance the physical security of nuclear facilities and 

materials. The primary data received from the selected locations would be processed and 

transmitted to off-site locations. A subset of carefully selected and screened data could be 

shared through the web site. The data and information to be collected is divided into the 

following modes based on their respective goals. 

• Mode 1: Nuclear Transparency: Data and information relevant to the proposed nuclear 

monitoring project that may be shared to enhance nuclear transparency and confidence 

building at the regional as well as multilateral levels. 

• Mode 2: Multilateral Nuclear Safeguards: Data and information that may supplement 

international verification activities. 

• Mode 3: Physical security, safety, radiation protection, and internal management: Data 

and information that is required for improving physical security (protection), nuclear safety 

31 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

and radiation control (confidence building at the national level); and data and information 

that are required by the BAEC from management perspectives. 

Additional equipment and enhanced facilities would be needed for Component 3. (See 

Appendix B for detailed information.) The on-site equipment needed would include the 

following: 

• Item monitoring and access control monitoring systems including seals and tags, SNM 

attribute determination, intrusion detectors, and video assessment. 

• Computer systems for data acquisition, processing and storage, data and image review, and 

data transmission 

The candidate facility for monitoring would be the 3-MW TRIGA MARK II Research 

Reactor located at the AERE, Savar. The project would focus on portal and area monitoring 

(entrances and exits) and monitoring inventories of spent nuclear fuel, SNM, and other radiological materials. 

3.3.3. Activities 

The activities for this component would involve the design of the containment and 

surveillance system and the implementation of the design. Detailed designs would be developed 

through consultations between the BAEC and the CMC staff. Key design aspects that must be 

considered are listed below: 

• Local conditions (e.g., power grid conditions; rainfall and high humidity, outdoor temperature (i.e., up to 45°C) 

• Maintainability of equipment and prospects of sustainable supply of spares and consumables 

• Reliable backup power supply 

• Microsoft Windows-based software preferred 

• Relatively weak infrastructure (unstable and unreliable grid power; weak telecommunication 

links and background noise) 

32
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

The following activities would implement this component of the project: 

Activity Description Responsibility

1 Evaluate technologies CMC and BAEC 

2 Select on-site equipment; develop maintenance manuals CMC and BAEC 

3 Define QA program encompassing the installation, 

operation, and maintenance phases, etc. 

CMC and BAEC 

4 Procure and install equipment CMC and BAEC 

5 Identify options and determine modes for data capture, 

authentication, and transmittal 

CMC and BAEC 

6 Determine the scope for data/information exchanges CMC and BAEC 

7 Write periodic reports BAEC 

8 Write project completion report CMC and BAEC 

Time frame: Three years from the initiation of the cooperative monitoring project. 

3.3.4. Output of Component 3 

1. Enhanced technical capabilities of Bangladesh in the field of containment and 

surveillance of nuclear facilities and SNMs. 

2. Nuclear material balancing reports available on a continuous basis, thereby 

supplementing annual IAEA Safeguards inspections. 

3. Enhanced physical security of facilities and materials. 

4. Creation of a database of information of importance to national security. 

5. Sharing of data and information, thereby enhancing transparency. 

33 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

4. Implementation Considerations 

Figure 3 presents a general plan for implementation of the project. 

Establish motivation 

and strategy for the 

Bangladesh

collaboration

CMC contacts 

appropriate persons

in Bangladesh

CMC personnel visit

contacts in

Bangladesh

Visiting Scholar 

studies cooperative 

monitoring issues and

related technology

CMC and Visiting

Scholar develop 

collaboration roadmap

CMC and Bangladesh 

seek funding and

approvals

CMC and BAEC

implement project in

the field

Figure 3: General Plan for CMC/Bangladesh Nuclear 

Cooperative Monitoring Implementation 

A representative each from the CMC and the BAEC would take responsibility for implementing the project and perform point of contact duties. 

An instrument such as a Memorandum of Understanding would be developed to delineate 

responsibilities. The work would proceed according to the work breakdown and milestones 

developed by the project team. 

In general, the CMC would be responsible for all procurement outside Bangladesh. The 

BAEC would prepare technical specifications for required items. The BAEC would be 

responsible for all work at the site, including local transportation, construction, and availability 

of utility services at the designated sites. The CMC would support the BAEC on equipment 

commissioning and training. The CMC would help BAEC interface with the U.S. DOE’s EML. 

4.1. Operation and Maintenance 

The BAEC would be responsible for operation and maintenance of the facilities provided 

under the present project and also for making information available for dissemination through 

the web site. The BAEC would designate a person to coordinate operation and maintenance 

activities under the project. 

34
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

The specific BAEC establishments that may be involved in the project are listed in the 

table below. 

Facility/Institute Type of work 

Reactor Operation and Maintenance Unit, 

Savar 

Non-proliferation 

Fuel inventory and management 

Reactor security and access control 

Area monitoring 

Institute of Electronics, Savar Repair and maintenance 

Design and fabrication of replacement items, etc. 

Electronics Division, AECD Repair and maintenance 

Central Engineering Facility, Savar Repair and maintenance (non-electronic) 

Engineering Division, BAEC Headquarters Project implementation 

Nuclear Power and Energy Division, BAEC Server 

AECD (Chemistry and Accelerator 

Divisions) 

Elemental analysis 

Air quality monitoring (particulates) 

Health Physics Division, AECD Analysis of environmental samples 

Institute of Nuclear Science and 

Technology, Savar 

Calibration 

Environmental monitoring 

Radiation Testing and Monitoring 

Laboratory, Chittagong 

Environmental monitoring 

Various BAEC Establishments Environmental sample collection 

Maintenance of air sampling units 

4.2. Documentation and Reports 

Progress reports, procedures, manuals, final reports, and a variety of other reports are 

needed, as follows. 

Implementation phase: 

• Inception report 

• Project implementation document 

• Procedures and operating manuals 

• Project completion report 

Operation and maintenance phase: 

• Interval reports on data and information 

• Reports on performance and systems 

The formats and contents of each category of the above reports would be decided through 

mutual consultation between the BAEC and the CMC. 

35 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

4.3. Approval Process 

The approval process would proceed in parallel in the United States and Bangladesh. 

The approval process in the United States would involve CMC and the DOE. The CMC and the 

BAEC have briefed the DOE and the U.S. State Department on the need for the project and its 

impact on the South Asia region, overall objectives, rationale, project components, benefits, 

levels of effort, costs, and potential impact on non-proliferation. 

In Bangladesh, the project would be initiated by the BAEC and sponsored by the 

Ministry of Science and Information & Communication Technology (MOSICT). The reports 

would be formulated according to standard formats in two phases, namely 

• Project Concept Paper, a distillation of the project plan, is intended to help assess the 

importance and priority of the project in the context of national plan, and 

• Project Proforma, an extended version of the project, which provides the information for 

making the final decision on formal acceptance of the project. The decision is taken either at 

the level of the Planning Commission or the Executive Committee of the National Economic 

Council (ECNEC), depending on the size of the project in monetary terms. 

Both documents would be reviewed by the responsible MOSICT group and then by a 

joint committee of the Planning Commission and relevant Ministries, before submission by the 

Planning Ministry or the ECNEC. 

After approval, the project would be included in the Annual Development Program and 

financial inputs would be provided annually according to the investment profile specified in the 

approved project document. During this period, funding would be allocated from the 

Development Budget. 

The Implementation Monitoring and Evaluation Division of the Planning Commission 

would examine the Project Completion Report. This exercise involves input-output balancing 

and assessment of performance in the implementation phase. This evaluation would form the 

basis for transfer of the completed project to the Revenue Head and annual recurring cost would 

be allocated annually according to the cost streams as given in the approved project document. 

The CMC and the BAEC would collaborate by providing information that may be needed 

for preparing documents for obtaining all required approvals. 

36
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

5. Conclusion 

The proposed project was developed with the ultimate goal of expanding the scope and 

extending the project to other countries in the region. The development of the project and its 

phasing recognizes possible limitations, such as availability of funds, local conditions, etc. One 

of the main considerations in developing the project was to ensure that in spite of such 

limitations, it could eventually grow into a nuclear transparency program involving other 

countries in the region. Ultimate success would be attained when all countries in the region feel 

motivated to join the project. Also, the project could become a model project that can be 

replicated in other regions such as North Africa, South Africa, etc. 

The international community also has an interest in the success of regional and subregional activities. As the Bangladesh Nuclear Monitoring Project evolves and progresses, other 

agencies and related programs could become involved – for example, the IAEA through its 

Regional Cooperation Agreement among Asia-Pacific countries, and the CSCAP. 

In conclusion: 

• Taking a bilateral approach to begin the project could later be extended to the regional level 

to encourage nuclear transparency. 

• In the future, the project could be considered as a model for implementation in other regions. 

• Implementation of the project in phases and a wider participation by various countries would 

pave the way to the establishment of a regional cooperative monitoring center. 

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Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

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Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Appendix A. Evaluation Criteria 

This appendix contains example criteria that could be used for evaluation of projects and 

monitoring equipment proposed for the U.S.-Bangladesh Cooperative Monitoring Project. Each 

criterion will be ranked by priority and importance to the project. 

Evaluation of Project Components 

Component 1 

Required Criteria 

1. Conforms to existing obligations to non-proliferation and other agreements or protocols 

2. Has capabilities and features that demonstrate and/or enhance regional nuclear transparency 

3. Of interest to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

4. Acceptable to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

5. Involves mutual commitment of CMC and BAEC 

6. Employs established technologies (proven, demonstrated in field, reliability, maintainability 

under local conditions, can be implemented and operated utilizing local infrastructure and 

capabilities, etc.) 

7. Equipment is compatible with power and communications infrastructure, quality, and 

availability in Bangladesh 

8. Requires readily available consumables, spare parts, etc. (preferably local, commercial) 

9. Is compatible with environmental conditions in Bangladesh (e.g., temperature, humidity) 

10. Can be implemented in a reasonably short time (e.g., months) 

11. Collaborating institution in Bangladesh (with incremental addition of physical, financial and 

human resources) is capable of implementing, operating, and maintaining the equipment and 

systems 

12. Facility is adequate for delivering data and information on a sustainable basis 

13. Sustainable: has a long operating life with optimal operating cost 

14. Has minimal potential negative consequences or effects, such as environmental hazards 

Desired Criteria 

1. Tangible spin-off benefits to the collaborating parties 

2. Possibilities of involving other regional and international agencies in funding and/or 

management, including exchange of information and data on nuclear transparency 

3. Capable of being extended in the future to a regional or international network 

4. The system or equipment are cost-optimal 

5. Expandable to additional nuclear monitoring applications 

6. The system or equipment are a part of a comprehensive program on nuclear transparency and 

non-proliferation 

7. Technologies can be transferred to and absorbed by the recipient country 

8. Sandia National Laboratories can supply required equipment and systems 

39 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Component 2: Phase 1 

Required Criteria 

1. Conforms to existing obligations to non-proliferation and other agreements or protocols 

2. Has capabilities and features that demonstrate and/or enhance regional nuclear transparency 

3. Of interest to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

4. Acceptable to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

5. Involves mutual commitment of CMC and BAEC 

6. Employs established technologies (proven, demonstrated in field, reliability, maintainability 

under local conditions, can be implemented and operated utilizing local infrastructure and 

capabilities, etc.) 

7. Equipment is compatible with power and communications infrastructure, quality, and 

availability in Bangladesh 

8. Requires readily available consumables, spare parts, etc. (preferably local, commercial) 

9. Is compatible with environmental conditions in Bangladesh (e.g., temperature, humidity) 

10. Can be implemented in a reasonably short time (e.g., months) 

11. Collaborating institution in Bangladesh (with incremental addition of physical, financial and 

human resources) is capable of implementing, operating, and maintaining the equipment and 

systems 

12. Facility is adequate for delivering data and information on a sustainable basis 

13. Sustainable: has a long operating life with optimal operating cost 

14. Has minimal potential negative consequences or effects, such as environmental hazards. 

Desired Criteria 

1. Tangible spin-off benefits to the collaborating parties 

2. Possibilities of involving other regional and international agencies in funding and/or 

management, including exchange of information and data on nuclear transparency 

3. Capable of being extended in the future to a regional or international network 

4. The system or equipment are cost-optimal 

5. Expandable to additional nuclear monitoring applications 

6. The system or equipment are a part of a comprehensive program on nuclear transparency and 

non-proliferation 

7. Technologies can be transferred to and absorbed by the recipient country 

8. Sandia National Laboratories can supply required equipment and systems 

40
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Component 2: Phase 2 

Required Criteria 

1. Conforms to existing obligations to non-proliferation and other agreements or protocols 

2. Has capabilities and features that demonstrate and/or enhance regional nuclear transparency 

3. Of interest to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

4. Acceptable to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

5. Involves mutual commitment of CMC and BAEC 

6. Employs established technologies (proven, demonstrated in field, reliability, maintainability 

under local conditions, can be implemented and operated utilizing local infrastructure and 

capabilities, etc.) 

7. Equipment is compatible with power and communications infrastructure, quality, and 

availability in Bangladesh 

8. Requires readily available consumables, spare parts, etc. (preferably local, commercial) 

9. Is compatible with environmental conditions in Bangladesh (e.g., temperature, humidity) 

10. Can be implemented in a reasonably short time (e.g., months) 

11. Collaborating institution in Bangladesh (with incremental addition of physical, financial and 

human resources) is capable of implementing, operating, and maintaining the equipment and 

systems 

12. Facility is adequate for delivering data and information on a sustainable basis 

13. Sustainable: has a long operating life with optimal operating cost 

14. Has minimal potential negative consequences or effects, such as environmental hazards 

Desired Criteria 

1. Tangible spin-off benefits to the collaborating parties 

2. Possibilities of involving other regional and international agencies in funding and/or 

management, including exchange of information and data on nuclear transparency 

3. Capable of being extended in the future to a regional or international network 

4. The system or equipment are cost-optimal 

5. Expandable to additional nuclear monitoring applications 

6. The system or equipment are a part of a comprehensive program on nuclear transparency and 

non-proliferation 

7. Technologies can be transferred to and absorbed by the recipient country 

8. Sandia National Laboratories can supply required equipment and systems 

41 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Component 3 

Required Criteria 

1. Conforms to existing obligations to non-proliferation and other agreements or protocols 

2. Has capabilities and features that demonstrate and/or enhance regional nuclear transparency 

3. Of interest to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

4. Acceptable to both CMC/DOE/USG and BAEC/MOSICT/GOB 

5. Involves mutual commitment of CMC and BAEC 

6. Employs established technologies (proven, demonstrated in field, reliability, maintainability 

under local conditions, can be implemented and operated utilizing local infrastructure and 

capabilities, etc.) 

7. Equipment is compatible with power and communications infrastructure, quality, and 

availability in Bangladesh 

8. Requires readily available consumables, spare parts, etc. (preferably local, commercial) 

9. Is compatible with environmental conditions in Bangladesh (e.g., temperature, humidity) 

10. Can be implemented in a reasonably short time (e.g., months) 

11. Collaborating institution in Bangladesh (with incremental addition of physical, financial and 

human resources) is capable of implementing, operating, and maintaining the equipment and 

systems 

12. Facility is adequate for delivering data and information on a sustainable basis 

13. Sustainable: has a long operating life with optimal operating cost 

14. Has minimal potential negative consequences or effects, such as environmental hazards 

Required Criteria 

1. Tangible spin-off benefits to the collaborating parties 

2. Possibilities of involving other regional and international agencies in funding and/or 

management, including exchange of information and data on nuclear transparency 

3. Capable of being extended in the future to a regional or international network 

4. The system or equipment are cost-optimal 

5. Expandable to additional nuclear monitoring applications 

6. The system or equipment are a part of a comprehensive program on nuclear transparency and 

non-proliferation 

7. Technologies can be transferred to and absorbed by the recipient country 

8. Sandia National Laboratories can supply required equipment and systems 

42
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Appendix B. Technical Specifications 

This section contains technical specifications for the monitoring equipment desired for 

the project. 

B-1. Equipment for Environmental Monitoring 

HPGe Detector 

• Crystal 

The detector will use a “p” type coaxial intrinsic germanium crystal. The efficiency shall 

be at least 40% relative to a 3”X3” NaI Crystal at 1.33 MeV for a source-detector distance of 25 

cm. The energy resolution must be less than 2.0 KeV at 1.33 MeV and less than 1.4 KeV at 122 

KeV. The ratio of the diameter of the crystal to its length shall be unity. This ratio shall not 

deviate from 1.0 by more than 20.0%. 

• Preamplifier 

The preamplifier shall have diode FET protection. The detector shall use an in-line or 

slim-line preamplifier. 

• Cryostat 

The cryostat must have an integral, vertical dipstick. The end cap must have a length 

between 7.0 and 8.0 inches, and the diameter must be between 2.75 and 2.85 inches. 

Extra Low Background Requirements: 

• The cryostat shall have extra low background. It should be constructed from

specially selected materials to minimize the presence of the naturally occurring 

radioisotopes. 

• The end cap shall be made with magnesium. 

• Detector cup, cooling rod, pedestal, and pedestal nut shall be made from OFHC 

copper. 

• Cryostat flange shall be constructed using low cobalt, stainless steel. 

• Molecular sieve shall be remote from the crystal. 

• An aged lead shield of minimum thickness of 2 inches shall be placed between the 

detector and the preamp/HV filter. 

• Dewar 

The dewar shall have a capacity of 30.0 liters. The dewar shall be 24 ± 1 inch at the top 

of its neck. 

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Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

• Liquid Nitrogen Monitor 

• The liquid nitrogen monitor must sense detector warm-up and provide a delayed shut 

down. 

• The monitor must provide a signal for a visual and audible alarm.

• Additional Requirements 

• The detector shall come with a minimum one-year warranty on all items. The 

supplier shall provide at least 5 years support for the detector with repair and spare 

parts availability. 

Liquid Scintillation Counters 

• Must be capable of separating alpha and beta events by the pulse shape 

discrimination method. 

• Must provide dual MCAs with at least 4096 channels for separate display of alpha 

and beta spectra. 

• Must be capable of automatic adjustment of the pulse shape discrimination setting to 

minimize the alpha to beta and beta to alpha spillovers. The alpha/beta spillover shall 

be less than 1.0%. 

• Must provide and save spillover curves as well as displaying them on screen. 

• Must have an external low energy gamma source to monitor sample quenching by 

analyzing the Compton spectrum in the sample. 

• Must have an automatic sample changer with a capacity of at least 200 samples. The 

sample changer shall be capable of handling 20 and 7 ml vials. 

• Must have a monitor to check for sample heterogeneity. It shall flag all nonhomogeneous samples. 

• Must be operated by an IBM PS/2 computer with at least 2 MB of RAM, 20 MB of 

hard disk, one 3.5” high density (1.44 MB) floppy, color high-resolution monitor, and 

DOS operating system. 

• The interface program must be capable of writing the spectral data, region of 

interest(s), quench information, protocol and other relevant data to a custom

formatted ASCII file. 

• The interface program shall be capable of executing a user-defined routine, such as a 

batch file, at the end of each counting batch. 

• Must have a live display of spectral data with regions of interest identified. The 

display shall also show the live cpm values for each region of interest. 

• Must be capable of optimizing the region of interest for a given isotope as to 

maximize the figure of merit (E2/B). 

• Must have an automatic quality control program to check the detector performance. The 

performance checks shall follow the efficiencies and backgrounds of H-3 and C-14. There 

must be an algorithm to perform a statistical check and issue a warning if a parameter is out 

of bound. 

• The system must be able to automatically monitor and adjust the Photo multiplier gains. 

44
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

• The counting system shall be composed of two photo multipliers operating in 

coincidence or singly as selected by the user. 

• Must have an extra low background rate. It shall use a time resolved spectroscopy 

method to filter out the background events. The optimized region for H-3 shall have 

a background rate of less than 4.0 cpm with a minimum of 20.0% counting efficiency. 

Alpha Spectroscopy

• Hardware 

• The Alpha Spectroscopy system shall consist of one unit with twenty-four (24) 

independent vacuum chambers. 

• The plumbing for the vacuum system shall be built in to the unit. A vacuum pump 

shall be included with the system. 

• Each vacuum chamber shall have its dedicated built-in HV supply, preamplifier, 

amplifier, and a 4K ADC. 

• Each vacuum chamber shall be equipped with a door status sensor to determine 

whether the chamber door is open or close. There would be an option to turn the HV 

off when a door in opened. 

• Each chamber shall have a rugged ion-implanted silicon detector with a surface area 

of 500 mm2 and an alpha resolution of 20 KeV. The detectors shall have rear 

microdot connectors. 

• The unit must be equipped with an electronic Cartesian diver system to hold the 

vacuum at a set point. A back bias shall be provided for each of the eight sample 

holders. 

• The system shall come with all the necessary components (e.g., interface card and 

cables) to interface the unit with an IBM AT-compatible computer. 

• Software 

• The vendor shall provide integrated software for automated hardware control, data 

acquisition, data analysis, and quality control checks. 

• The software must run on Windows operating system. 

• The software must be capable of controlling the vacuum level, detector bias, 

preamplifier and amplifier settings, ADC, and MCA functions. 

• The software shall include a quality control package to track background, peak 

centroid and count rate and FWHM for a designated source, amplifier gain, and 

detector bias. 

• The data acquisition part of the software would allow simultaneous or individual 

operation of the eight channels. 

• The analysis program shall be an ROI-based routine capable of tracer and tracerless 

analyses. 

• The output report format must be modifiable by the user. 

• The output report shall have the option of reporting the hardware settings, ROI 

information, isotope activities, 2-sigma errors, MDA values, critical level values, 

spectrum graphs, and a summary of the QC data. 

45 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

• Additional Requirements 

• The system shall come with a minimum one-year warranty on all items. 

• The supplier shall provide at least 5 years support for the system with repair and 

spare parts availability, and software. 

• The supplier shall modify the software, if necessary, to help customize the package. 

Air Monitoring 

• PM10 MASS Flow Controller 

In 1971, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promulgated primary and 

secondary national ambient air quality standards for particulate matter measured as “total 

suspended particulate” or “TSP”. In accordance with the Clean Air Act, the EPA reviewed and 

revised the health and welfare criteria upon which these primary and secondary particulate 

matter standards were based. 

On March 20, 1984, the EPA proposed changes in the standards based on its review and 

revision of the criteria. On July 1, 1987, the EPA promulgated its final decisions regarding these 

changes. The final decisions include: 

1. Replacing TSP as the indicator for particulate matter for the ambient standards with 

a new indicator that includes only those particles with an aerodynamic diameter less 

than or equal to nominally ten (10) microns (PM10). 

2. A new Federal Reference method for measurement of PM10 in ambient air. The 

Reference method for the measurement of atmospheric particulate matter is known 

as PM10 and is based on selection of PM10 particles by internal separation, 

followed by filtration and gravimetric determination of PM10 mass on the filter 

substrate. 

• PM10 Volumetric Flow Controller 

The Volumetric Flow Controller (VFC) is a dimensional venturi device used to control 

gas flow. When applied to a high volume air sampler, this flow control principal incorporates a 

smooth-wall venturi orifice that gradually opens to a recovery section. Vacuum is provided by a 

motor downstream of the venturi. Over 95% of the energy lost in differential pressures across 

the restricting orifice is recovered in this design. 

Flow control is accomplished by occluding or restricting and thus accelerating the airflow 

through the venturi at some point in the flow stream, the air velocity would equal the acoustic 

velocity or speed of sound, and critical flow would be achieved. As long as downstream changes 

are small, all conditions at the venturi (including the flow rate) are determined by upstream

conditions. This condition is referred to as “chocking” and is a distinctive characteristic of all 

VFCs. The GMW PM10/VFC utilizes this principle of choked or critical flow to maintain a 

46
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

constant actual flow rate of 40 ACFM (1.3ACMM) over the sample period. Since critical flow 

through the venturi is not greatly affected by changes in the filter loading, ambient temperature 

or barometric pressure, a stable volumetric flow rate is maintained as long as power is provided 

to the sampler blower motor. 

The orifice used in this system can also be described as a well-documented Critical 

Venturi Meter (CVM). Basically, a CVM is a specially machined nozzle or restriction device 

designed to react to a specific pressure ratio expressed in absolute terms. When air reaches the 

speed of sound in the throat (smallest diameter) of the CVM, a sound pressure barrier is set up 

that would not allow more air through under the existing temperature and pressure conditions. 

This is the “critical flow” point of the meter, thus the name Critical Venturi Meter. Simply put, 

the Volumetric Flow controller regulates flow at a constant but non-adjustable rate without any 

moving parts or electronic components. GMW PM10 Samplers bear an identification label with 

the FRM designation number RFPS-1287-063. 

• Datalogger and Transceiver for Airborne Environmental Measurements 

A variety of meteorological instruments can be combined with background radiation 

monitoring for making airborne environmental measurements. The integrating component is a 

“datalogger,” such as the Model CR23X by Campbell Scientific. The datalogger can collect 

information from a barometric sensor, rain gage, wind speed and direction indicators, and temperature and humidity probes. A radiation sensor, such as a compensated Geiger-Mueller 

detector or NaI scintillator with associated electronics, would provide the ambient radiation 

measurement. A satellite transceiver with integrated Global Positioning System (GPS) sensing, 

connected to the datalogger, would provide the remote communications link from wherever the 

airborne monitoring station is deployed.

B-2. Facility and Material Monitoring 

Baseline Components 

JContainment and Surveillance (C&S) technologies are used for monitoring system

integrity and item counting. Sensors may include loop seals, identification tags, contact closure 

detectors, glass break sensors, passive infrared intrusion detectors, and object motion sensors. 

The loop seals and motion sensors provide access and containment monitoring. 

Identification tags provide continuous in-place monitoring of items. An independent camera 

system can capture images and views when triggered by a sensor or using interval recording. 

Sensors should have built-in features such as a sophisticated state-of-health message protocol 

and tamper indication. 

Special Nuclear Material (SNM) Attribute Measurement 

Four types of radiation sensors for measuring the U235 enrichment are available: 

• Rad-Couple Gamma Radiation Sensor (RF) 

47 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Rad-Couple sensor is a very low-power consumption device that produces an electrical 

current proportional to the amount of gross gamma irradiation present. The sensor operates in a 

wireless (battery operated) configuration. Rad-Couple provides a gross gamma measurement 

when placed near radioactive material. Rad-Couple sensors may be configured into the AIMS 

RF network and installed to monitor each item. The sensors report gross gamma measurement 

(implying continuous presence and location of a material), nod tamper, and SOH via RF to the 

data Acquisition System. 

• Rad-Couple Gamma Radiation Sensor (Hardwired) 

Rad-Couple sensor with a hardwired configuration can monitor each item and report 

gross gamma measurement (implying continuous presence of a material), node tamper, and 

SOH. These may be interfaced with an Echelon LonWorks (Local Operating Networks) 

communication interface incorporated into its design. 

• Rad-SIP Gamma Radiation Sensor 

Rad-SIP is a gamma irradiation sensor that uses a silicon PIN diode as a sensing unit. It 

can determine the relative U235 enrichment from uranium materials. Signal levels from this 

sensor are selected by a pulse height discriminator for precise gamma energy monitoring of 

U235. This sensor can monitor each item and can be interfaced as in the earlier case. The 

sensor reports gross enrichment (implying continuous presence of a container of material), node 

temper, and SOH. 

• Fast Gamma Radiation Sensor 

The Fiber-Optic Attribute Sensor Technology (FAST)/ Gamma Radiation Sensor is a 

plastic scintillator coupled via a fiber optic link to a two-dimensional photo-multiplier tube, 

which can simultaneously monitor hundreds of sensors. The plastic scintillator is a sensitive, 

self-powered gamma ray detector that requires no electrical excitation for the continuous 

monitoring of SNM in storage. The sensor provides a gross gamma measurement when placed 

near radioactive material. 

For the Fast system, only the passive components may be placed in the radiation field; all 

electronic components may be removed from the potentially hazardous environment and placed 

where they could be readily accessed (e.g. outside the field in the secure cabinet with the on-site 

data acquisition system). Its dedicated computer, interfaced with the on-site Data Acquisition 

System, may be used for monitoring. 

On-Site Sensor Network 

The alternative technologies for local network is as follows: 

• Server Digital Image Surveillance System (SDIS) 

The Server Digital Image Surveillance System (SDIS) is a system for collecting data 

from attached sensors, storing the data, and then sending the data to authorized recipients. The 

48
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

SDIS communications server, which the IAEA often uses in remote monitoring for international 

Safeguards, is a commercial product from Canberra Aquila, Inc. The system can collect a 

variety of data, including instrumentation signals, video from attached cameras, intrusion 

detection and motion sensors, material seals, door switches, and many others. The computercontrolled acquisition system stores data locally on dual hard disk drives. Software uses dual 

telephone modems to automate copying the data to desired remote locations as required. Mains 

power is supported by an uninterruptible power supply. The unit is modular, fully enclosed and 

sealed for tamper indication. 

• Echelon LonWorks 

Echelon LonWorks is a Local Operating Network developed for the distributed control 

systems. It is a complete platform for implementing control network systems. These networks 

consist of intelligent devices or nodes that interact with their environment, and communicate 

with another over a variety of communications media using a common, message-based control 

Protocol (LonTalk protocol). The communications media support includes twisted pair, AC 

power line, and link power, etc. Free topography network configuration may be used, which 

allows for the connection of sensors in a bus, star, ring, daisy chain, or mixed architecture. 

LonWorks has a built-in communication protocol that allows for peer-to-peer communications 

with or without authentication of messages. For instance, the peer-to-peer link may be used for 

the sensor trigger to the ICAM. The LonTalk protocol supports interoperability at both node and 

product levels. LonWork provides reliable, error-free communications within the sensor 

network of Remote Monitoring System (RMS). 

Data Acquisition System (DAS) 

The DAS provides local storage and backup of the data and is the interface between the 

sensor network and remote data review sites. Its main function is collecting and archiving data. 

It can provide the following functions: 

• Interface to the sensor network 

• Time synchronization of ICAM, Master Data Node (MDN) and DAS computer 

• Database logging of sensor events and auxiliary data 

• SOH interval monitoring and logging 

• Local storage and backup of data 

• Limited real time display of data 

• Off-site communications interface 

The interface to the sensor network may be via the MDN. The MDN provides a simple 

serial communications protocol for the transfer of sensor messages and image files from the 

MDN to DAS. Each day (say at midnight), the DAS can archive the preceding day’s data and 

authenticate the data. After archiving the preceding day’s data, the DAS can synchronize the 

time both on MDN and the ICAM to the DAS time. The DAS should maintain a history of each 

sensor and the last time data was received. If a programmable period of time passes without a 

message from the sensor, the DAS logs missing SOH information for that sensor. Messages 

49 
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

about start, stop, restart, and continue modes of acquisition of the DAS application can also be 

logged. 

The MDN is the point of interface between the sensor network and the DAS computer. 

Primary functions of the MDN may include sensor message authentication, date- and timestamping of events, temporary storage of data, and transfer of sensor data to the DAS computer 

for local storage and archiving. The MDN is a commercial product (Coactive Aesthetics Inc. of 

Sausalito, California. 

Data Transmission

The data transmission from DAS to the DIRS may be accomplished in two methods: 

• A public access telephone link, and 

• A dedicated satellite link. 

Telephone line

A telephone line may be used for transfer of data from DAS to the DIRS at the remote facilities. 

The DAS can have a Hayes Accura 28.8 kb/s external modem configured for automatic transfer 

rate selection dependent upon the landlines status. (Each facility has to have its own modem at 

each DIRS). 

Data and Image Review System (DIRS) 

The DIRS application provides the following basic functions: 

• Communications with the DAS 

• Data transfer 

• Storage and archive of the database 

• Graphical User Interface 

• Review of sensor and image data 

• Event and image printouts 

Data may be further reduced using filters based upon either sensor type or message level. 

50
Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Message levels are: 

• Material alarm: Alarms that indicate a potential access to the material 

• Material Message: Status-type message of the material, e.g., container position or NDA 

sample reading 

• System Alarm: Alarms indicating abnormal operation, e.g., sensor on- or off-line 

• System Message: Maintenance-type messages, e.g., begin/continue acquisition, transparent 

maintenance 

Performance criteria: 

Criteria for equipment in a C&S monitoring system are as follows: 

Sensors 

• Detect all seal openings and closings 

• Detect all tamper events 

• Do not generate false detections 

• Generate an image trigger for all seal alarms

• Explain all messages 

• Receive all state of health messages 

Motion sensors

• Detect all motion started and motion ended events 

• Detect all tamper events 

• Do not generate false detections 

• Generate a video trigger for all motion-started alarm

• Explain all messages 

• Receive all SOH messages 

Video

• Display adequate image quality 

• Associate each image with a sensor trigger 

• Generate clear images 

• Authenticate all image files 

• Explain all image files 

RPU/LON

• Transmit all sensor messages correctly 

• Detect all missing SOH messages 

• Authenticate all RF and other network messages 

• Explain all network messages 

• Transmit all video files correctly 

• Transmit correctly all network management messages 

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Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Data Acquisition System (DAS)

• Time-tag all network messages correctly 

• Indicate tampers to the DAS-Master Data Node 

• Authenticate all messages correctly 

• Store all network messages correctly 

• Display all network messages correctly 

• Transmit all configuration commands correctly 

• All network messages delayed one hour by the data logger 

• Key management worked correctly 

Data Communication 

• Provide telephone Communication 

• Provide correct operation 

• Provide correct modem remote communication software 

• Correctly transmit all files 

• Provide daily telephone access 

Data and Image Review Station (DIRS)

• Store all files correctly 

• Display all data and images correctly 

• Print all data and images correctly 

• Archive all data and images correctly 

• Filter data correctly 

• Provide effective and efficient data review 

• Provide adequate user documentation 

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Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

About the Author 

C. S. Karim joined the Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission as a Senior Scientific 

Officer in 1977. In 2000, he was appointed as a Member of Physical Science of BAEC. He is 

also responsible for the Nuclear Power Program of Bangladesh and is the Technical Focal Point 

for the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. His primary field of interest is nuclear 

power, energy economics, and energy planning. As a member of the Physical Science of BAEC, 

he is responsible for top-level supervision of the R&D activities in the disciplines of physical 

science. He also participated in the formulation of National Energy Policy of Bangladesh. He 

was a member of the Bangladesh Delegations to the Annual General Conference of the 

International Atomic Energy Agency (1979 through 2001). He obtained his B.Sc. (Honors) in 

Physics in 1969, his Masters of Science in Physics in 1972, and received his Ph.D. in Nuclear 

Engineering in 1976. 

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Concepts for Cooperative Nuclear Monitoring in Bangladesh 

Distribution 

350 MS 1373 CMC Library, 5341 

1 MS 9018 Central Tech Files, 8945-1 

2 MS 0899 Technical Library, 9616 

1 MS 0619 Review & Approval Desk, 9612 

54