GIF/PRPPWG/2011/002 Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection of the Six Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems July 15, 2011 Prepared Jointly by: The Proliferation Resistance and Physical Protection Evaluation Methodology Working Group and the System Steering Committees of the Generation IV International Forum (This page has been intentionally left blank.) ii CONTENTS ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS .......................................................................................................... vii ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................... 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .............................................................................................................................. 2 PART I General Overview ........................................................................................................................... 3 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................. 5 1.1 Objectives ..................................................................................................................................... 5 1.2 Scope ............................................................................................................................................ 6 2. How the Report Was Prepared ............................................................................................................... 8 2.1 Workshops .................................................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Production of White Papers .......................................................................................................... 8 2.3 Drafting of the Report ................................................................................................................... 9 3. Cross-cutting Topics ............................................................................................................................... 9 3.1 Fuel Type ...................................................................................................................................... 9 3.2 Coolant, Moderator ..................................................................................................................... 10 3.3 Refueling Modes ......................................................................................................................... 10 3.4 Fuel Cycle Architectures ............................................................................................................. 11 3.5 Safeguards Topics ...................................................................................................................... 13 3.6 Other GIF Cross-cutting Topics .................................................................................................. 14 3.6.1 Safety ............................................................................................................................. 15 3.6.2 Economics ...................................................................................................................... 17 4. Conclusion ............................................................................................................................................ 18 4.1 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 18 4.2 Next Steps .................................................................................................................................. 18 APPENDIX A ............................................................................................................................................... 20 PART II System White Papers .................................................................................................................. 27 Very High-Temperature Reactor (VHTR) .................................................................................................... 29 1. Overview of Technology ............................................................................................................. 29 2. Overview of Fuel Cycle(s) ........................................................................................................... 34 3. PR&PP Relevant System Elements and Potential Adversary Targets ....................................... 35 4. Proliferation Resistance Considerations Incorporated into Design ............................................ 37 5. Physical Protection Considerations Incorporated into Design .................................................... 38 6. PR&PP Issues, Concerns and Benefits ...................................................................................... 39 7. References ................................................................................................................................. 39 Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) ............................................................................................................ 45 1. Overview of Technology ............................................................................................................. 45 2. Overview of Fuel Cycle(s)........................................................................................................... 51 3. PR&PP Relevant System Elements and Potential Adversary Targets ...................................... 53 4. Proliferation Resistance Considerations Incorporated into Design ............................................ 54 5. Physical Protection Considerations Incorporated into Design .................................................... 55 iii 6. PR&PP Issues, Concerns and Benefits ...................................................................................... 56 7. References ................................................................................................................................. 57 Super Critical Water Reactor (SCWR) ........................................................................................................ 59 1. Overview of Technology ............................................................................................................. 59 2. Overview of Fuel Cycle(s) ........................................................................................................... 63 3. PR&PP Relevant System Elements and Potential Adversary Targets ....................................... 63 4. Proliferation Resistance Considerations Incorporated into Design ............................................ 64 5. Physical Protection Considerations Incorporated into Design .................................................... 65 6. PR&PP Issues, Concerns and Benefits ...................................................................................... 66 7. References .................................................................................................................................. 67 Gas-cooled Fast Reactor (GFR) ................................................................................................................. 69 1. Overview of Technology ............................................................................................................. 69 2. Overview of Fuel Cycle(s) ........................................................................................................... 73 3. PR&PP Relevant System Elements and Potential Adversary Targets ....................................... 75 4. Proliferation Resistance Considerations Incorporated into Design ............................................ 76 5. Physical Protection Considerations Incorporated into Design .................................................... 77 6. PR&PP Issues, Concerns and Benefits ...................................................................................... 78 7. References .................................................................................................................................. 79 Lead-cooled Fast Reactor (LFR) ................................................................................................................ 81 1. Overview of Technology ............................................................................................................. 81 2. Overview of Fuel Cycle(s) ........................................................................................................... 87 3. PR&PP Relevant System Elements and Potential Adversary Targets ...................................... 88 4. Proliferation Resistance Considerations Incorporated into Design ............................................ 89 5. Physical Protection Considerations Incorporated into Design .................................................... 91 6. PR&PP Issues, Concerns and Benefits ...................................................................................... 93 7. References .................................................................................................................................. 94 Molten Salt Reactor (MSR) ....................................................................................................................... 103 1. Overview of Technology ........................................................................................................... 103 2. Overview of fuel