ABACC and JRC Cooperation on 3D Laser Range Finder (3DLR) for Design Information Verification

Design Information Verification (DIV) is a very important activity in verifying the operator declaration to detect possible changes that may represent diversion scenarios in nuclear installations or their misuses. Brazilian-Argentine Agency for Accounting and Control of Nuclear Materials (ABACC) has become involved in the application of safeguards to complex and sensitive facilities, where the physical verification of the design present status is sometimes complex and a long task. The methodology to carry out the DIV has been improved recently. However, the way to execute some tasks is still relying on the expertise and technical background of the inspectors. One of the tools that is currently available to increase the effectiveness of the DIV process is the 3D Laser Range Finder (3DLR) developed by the European Commission¿s Joint Research Centre (JRC). This tool is currently used by the IAEA, and ABACC considers it is a very promising tool to be used at facilities having numerous pipes, tanks and accessories. Besides, the technology applied contributes for non proliferation because the information can be kept at the facility, and requires less intrusive access to the plant. ABACC and JRC started cooperating on the 3D Laser Range Finder (3DLR) for Design Information Verification within the scope of the general ABACC-EURATOM cooperation agreement. This paper presents the advantages of the technology, the applications envisaged by ABACC, and the technical features of the 3DLR system for these applications. The paper also describes the operational aspects of the application and the necessary procedure to be agreed among operator, States and Safeguards agencies (ABACC and IAEA). The paper addresses also the status of the ABACC/JRC cooperation in this field.JRC.G.8-Nuclear securit