Savannah River National Laboratory Aiken, South Carolina, United States
Advanced and small modular reactors (A/SMRs) offer several advantages over current nuclear technology, including lower cost, smaller size, inherent safety features, versatility, and flexibility with the potential to bring reactors and power to remote areas. A/SMR vendors want to move into a remote operations paradigm, due in part to locations and mobility, and this could include the use of remote radiofrequency (RF) tamper indicating devices (TIDs) that provide status over secure communication channels to ensure nuclear security. RFTIDs are currently used in several applications; for example, the IAEA uses RFTIDs in multiple safeguards settings. These RFTIDs are active fiber-optic loop seals that store, forward, and communicate data including tamper events, open/close events, and seal status to a data consolidation receiver via secure RF communication. From the receiver station, data can be stored locally or retrieved from a remote host computer for analysis. The first phase of this project conducted a study assessing and documenting the technical requirements to implement and operate an RFTID for nuclear security in A/SMRs, including the process to send data over commercial over-the-counter (COTS) equipment with secure transmit that indicates tamper. The results of this phase were then used to develop a testing environment, during which RFTIDs and associated equipment were placed on a simulated SMR. Data were transmitted locally to Sandia National Laboratories (SNL) and remotely to Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) via secure communications using COTS equipment, including the status of health, openings, and security significant events, such as tamper events. Ultimately, this study provides guardrails and a proof of concept for remotely monitoring A/SMRs using RFTIDs as a component of a nuclear security system. Additionally, it attempts to address the gaps for RFTID use with A/SMRs, including power requirements, penetration prevention, and best communication modes.
