Development of optimal Material Balance Evaluation (MBE) strategy for commercial-scale pyroprocessing facility using stochastic modeling and simulation techniques

• Published in: Nuclear engineering and technology Vol. 57; no. 5; p. 103386
• Main Authors: Won, Byung Hee, Yim, Man-Sung, Cho, Gyuseong
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.05.2025; Elsevier; 한국원자력학회
• Subjects: Detection probability; Material Balance Evaluation (MBE); Modeling and simulation; Near Real Time Accountancy (NRTA); Nuclear Material Accountancy (NMA); Pyroprocessing; 원자력공학; Near Real Time Accountancy (NRTA); Modeling and simulation; Pyroprocessing; Material Balance Evaluation (MBE); Detection probability; Nuclear Material Accountancy (NMA)
• ISSN: 1738-5733; 2234-358X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.net.2024.103386

This study focuses on quantitative performance evaluation in a 400-ton-capacity commercial-scale pyroprocessing facility. Extensive modeling and simulation were conducted to evaluate the quantitative performance of the Material Balance Evaluation (MBE) system, a crucial component in the field of nuclear safeguards. Optimized approaches to MBE system were developed, minimizing assumptions and conservatively estimating uncertainties based on existing literature. Unlike previous studies, this work assessed, and proposes herein, MBE methods in the head-end cell area. Dividing a single MBA into two in the pyroprocessing cell area showed quantitative performance improvements, enhancing detection capabilities through refined measurement strategies and improved loss detection algorithms. Additional optimization was conducted to determine the ideal frequency of material balance evaluations in the pyroprocessing cell area. The results showed that, for a single MBA, at least nine MBEs were required to achieve satisfactory detection performance for abrupt losses. By dividing the area into two MBAs, the required number of evaluations was reduced to just 3–4, enhancing detection capabilities for abrupt losses. Among the algorithms, the Shewhart test was best for detecting abrupt losses in the head-end area, while the combined GEMUF-Shewhart test, devised in this study, was effective for single zones, and the GEMUF test alone was best for parallel zones. Overall, the Near Real Time Accountancy (NRTA) system showed strong detection across all abrupt loss scenarios. This study underscores the utility of integrating Safeguards by Design (SBD) principles early in the design phase to optimize safeguards and reduce operational burdens, and shows the way for future research on even more rational MBE approaches.