Abstract
A 3-D Quarter-Core CANDU-6 is modeled using Serpent 2 for nuclear treaty monitoring. The spatial variation of flux spectra and isotopic concentrations is analyzed to determine the potential isotopic distribution of key radionuclides from standard reactor operations relevant to non-proliferation. The initial results of the model show a 46% difference in overall flux magnitude throughout the core as well as a 2-30% difference in discrete energy flux. The coupled production rate (magnitude) and spectral differences can contribute to significant spatial variations in isotope ratios throughout the core. Initial results indicate 239Pu/240Pu ratios vary by as much as 51% across a single CANDU-6 fuel bundle at final burnup. The model is currently being used to develop an accurate representation of spent fuel to perform spatial isotopic analysis across the entire CANDU-6 core.
Highlights
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) maintains the International Monitoring System (IMS) to detect proliferant activities and limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons
Of interest to this work, eighty of these stations have radionuclide sensors for measuring traces of radioactive isotopes in collected air samples
The measured isotopic ratios can be used to inform their origin, such as weapons testing, fuel reprocessing, reactor operations, or one of several other nuclear activities as some isotopic ratios are sensitive to the creation environment
Summary
The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) maintains the International Monitoring System (IMS) to detect proliferant activities and limit the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Of interest to this work, eighty of these stations have radionuclide sensors for measuring traces of radioactive isotopes in collected air samples. The measured isotopic ratios can be used to inform their origin, such as weapons testing, fuel reprocessing, reactor operations, or one of several other nuclear activities as some isotopic ratios are sensitive to the creation environment. To determine if proliferation is taking place, the results of IMS stations are compared to either a recorded database of signatures and/or models[3]. Current models of reactor operations for nonproliferation and radioisotope release generally neglect key parameters that can affect the range of isotopic signatures seen possibly affecting the resulting activity categorization. The goal of this research is to explore the potential range of isotopic ratios and test the validity of these assumptions
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