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COMPUTERIZED MATERIALS PROTECTION, CONTROL, AND ACCOUNTABILITY AT
THE INSTITUTE OF PHYSICS AND POWER ENGINEERING
Vladimir Efimenko, Vladimir Goryunov, Anatolii Ilyantsev, Oksana Katsuro, Yurii Milovanov,
Peter Morozov, Andrew Perekhrest, Alexander Prokhorov, and Victor Semenisty
Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, Obninsk, Russia.
Linda K. Anderson, Michael G. Boor, Jeanne M. Hurford, Robert P. Landry, Benny J. Martinez,
Cheryl A. Rodriguez, Ann M. Solem, Rena Whiteson, and Andrew Zardecki
Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545 USA
Abstract
As part of a multifaceted approach to protecting its nuclear materials, The Institute of Physics and
Power Engineering (IPPE) at Obninsk, Russia, has been computerizing its materials protection, con-
trol, and accountability capabilities. This is being accomplished in collaboration with the CoreMAS
team at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Such international cooperation in applying advanced science
and technology to managing and controlling nuclear materials will help reduce the threat of nuclear
weapons proliferation by preventing acquisition of weapons-grade nuclear materials by unauthorized
individuals, organizations, or states. One important characteristic of IPPE is that it encompasses
several facilities that manage nuclear materials, and three of these facilities already operate their own
independent (or independently developed) computerized accounting systems. This paper focuses on
the importance of compatibility between the computerized accountability systems at the facilities, the
ability of the individual systems to communicate with a single site-wide system, and the necessity of
coordination between facilities in designing and developing computerized systems. We believe that the
lessons learned at IPPE in coordinating these efforts have wide-ranging significance for other sites
with multiple facilities.
Unique Characteristics of IPPE
The Institute of Physics and Power Engineering (IPPE) is a scientific research and development labo-
ratory in Obninsk, Russia. IPPE research and development focuses on nuclear power engineering,
fundamental and applied investigations, and nuclear technologies for the national economy. Within
IPPE, there are several major facilities with highly enriched uranium and plutonium. As delineated in
the on-going program of nuclear material consolidation, there will be about 17 material balance areas
(MBAs) that use a single accounting system with common requirements and unified procedures.
Most of the MBAs of IPPE use nuclear material in item form. Those include research reactors, critical
facilities, accelerators, and other research facilities. The total number of nuclear materials items on the
IPPE site is about 200,000. In addition, nuclear material in bulk form is handled in some MBAs
where nuclear materials processing or reprocessing of irradiated fuel is carried out.
At the initial stage of development of the computerized materials protection, control, and account-
ability (MPC&A) system, the final structure of MBAs that was to result from the nuclear materials
consolidation program still had not been determined. So the creation of the computerized accounting
system started not from the site-wide level but from the level of separate facilities [the Fast Physics
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Efimenko, V.; Goryunov, V. & Ilyantsev, A. Computerized materials protection, control, and accountability at the Institute of Physics and Power Engineering, article, December 31, 1998; New Mexico. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc686619/m1/2/: accessed March 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.