Nuclear Engineering and Technology

Korean Nuclear Society (한국원자력학회)
권호 표지
DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

Enhancing utilization and ensuring security: Insights to compromise contradicting conditions in new research reactors

  • Alrammah, Ibrahim (Nuclear and Radiological Control Unit, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST))
  • Received : 2020.07.31
  • Accepted : 2020.11.05
  • Published : 2021.05.25
Download PDF
⟨ Previous Next ⟩

Abstract

Research reactors are typically well-suited for outreach activities at different levels. However, unplanned seeking to increase the utilization of a research reactor may result in weakening the nuclear security of this facility. Research reactor staff might be in shortage of a functional nuclear security culture; specifically, there might be a conviction that the necessities of research can be given the priority over consistence with security procedural requirements. Research reactors are usually parts of bigger institutes or research labs of different activities. Moreover, the employments of research reactors are usually with the purpose that easy entry to the reactor premises is fundamental. So, they could be co-situated in places with different sorts of activities, mostly under similar security arrangements. The co-area of research reactor offices among different kinds of research labs introduces explicit security issues, the effects of which should be viewed as when building up a nuclear security framework. Notwithstanding potential security vulnerabilities presented in the design, research reactors frequently have devices kept promptly accessible to encourage research and education. The accessibility of these sorts of hardware could be used by an authorized person to commit an unapproved activity or cause harm. This paper aims to present insights to compromise contradicting conditions in new research reactors in which both enhancing utilization and ensuring security are satisfied.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

I would like to thank King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) for supporting this work. I would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for their comments and recommendations.

References

  1. A.M. Shokr, et al., Considerations and milestones infrastructure for a research reactor project, in: Proc. Research Reactors: Safe Management and Effective Utilization, Rabat, 2011.
  2. International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Security Management for Research Reactors and Related Facilities, IAEA-TDL-004, Vienna, 2016.
  3. International Atomic Energy Agency, Research Reactors: Purpose and Future, 2016. Vienna.
  4. International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Technology Review, 2012. Vienna.
  5. J. Vyshniauskas, Utilization of Research Reactors for Nuclear Education and Training: Overview of Activities, IAEA, Vienna.
  6. International Atomic Energy Agency, The Applications of Research Reactors, IAEA-TECDOC-1234, Vienna, 2001.
  7. International Atomic Energy Agency, The Role of Research Reactors in Introducing Nuclear Power, [Accessed 31 July 2020].
  8. D. Ridikas, Developing strategic plans for effective utilization of research reactors, EUROPEAN NUCLEAR SOCIETY 48 (2015).
  9. International Atomic Energy Agency, Strategic Planning for Research Reactors, IAEA NUCLEAR ENERGY SERIES No. NG-T-3.16, Vienna, 2017.
  10. International Atomic Energy Agency, Engineering Safety Aspects of the Protection of Nuclear Power Plants against Sabotage, IAEA NUCLEAR SECURITY SERIES No. 4, Vienna, 2007.
  11. International Atomic Energy Agency, Management of the Interface between Nuclear Safety and Security for Research Reactors, IAEA-TECDOC-1801, Vienna, 2016.
  12. A.M. Shokr, et al., A New IAEA Document on Managing the Interface between Safety and Security for Research Reactors, Proc. European Research Rectors Conference, Bucharest, 2015.
  13. International Atomic Energy Agency, Nuclear Security Culture, IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 7, Vienna, 2008.
  14. V. Bezzubtsev, B. Krupchatnikov, Interface of nuclear safety and security, safety and security culture, in: Proc. International Conference on Effective Nuclear Regulatory Systems: Further Enhancing the Global Nuclear Safety and Security Regime, 2009, Cape Town, INTERNATIONAL ATOMIC ENERGY AGENCY, Vienna, 2010.
  15. K. Horvath, et al., Cut the costs and enhance efficiency in nuclear safety and security culture self-assessments: considerations that should Be taken to merge nuclear safety and security culture assessments, HADMERNOK 12 (2017) 115-122.
  16. International Atomic Energy Agency, Security of Nuclear Information, IAEA Nuclear Security Series No. 23-G, Vienna, 2015.