Material Attractiveness Evaluation of Inert Matrix Fuel for Nuclear Security and Non-proliferation

The impacts of chemical stability of inert-matrix-fuel (IMF) on the material attractiveness for states and non-state actors were evaluated in an open transuranic fuel cycle employing high temperature gas cooled reactors. The methodology for material attractiveness evaluation was developed to assess material attractiveness for states and treat IMF which is chemically inert for nitric acid solution. The material attractiveness was relatively assessed with physical properties of material in each of three discrete phases in the development of a nuclear explosive device. The material attractiveness assessment for non-state actors revealed that the non-irradiated TRISO fuel particle and IMF kernel for high temperature gas cooled reactors and the non-irradiated mixed oxide fuel (MOX) powder for MOX light water reactors were the most vulnerable targets in each fuel cycles. The TRISO fuel particle and IMF kernel would have less material attractiveness than the MOX powder because of their greater processing time and complexity. The material attractiveness assessment for states aiming concealed diversion revealed that the TRISO fuel particle and IMF kernel have less material attractiveness than the MOX powder, and are regarded as irradiated uranium fuel grade in the material attractiveness.