Analysis of the proliferation resistance of the modular pebble bed high temperature gas reactor

Abstract

The Modular Pebble Bed High Temperature Gas Reactor (MPBR) being designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory operates with an online refueling system. This leads to an increased risk of proliferation because the fuel pebbles can be diverted while the plant is operating. In order to show that the MPBR dose not pose a proliferation risk the fuel content was determined for different burnups up to 94 MWD/kg. This data shows that the fuel is very poor nuclear weapon material. Safeguard systems were also designed in agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency's standards to prevent diversion of significant quantities of fissile material.