State-of-the-art of near-real-time materials accounting

Near-real-time accounting is being pursued as a method for improving the timeliness and diversion detection sensitivity of conventional accounting procedures. Acceptability of near-real-time accounting for international safeguards depends on: Development of measurement techniques that provide the required sensitivity and timeliness, proper consideration of measurement control programs, development of statistical techniques to evaluate measurement data, demonstration that the materials accounting results can be verified independently by the Agency, and demonstration of the safeguards system under operational plant conditions. Each of these areas is discussed in the paper.