Approach to Prioritizing Safeguardability Evaluation Parameters Using the Delphi Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process

Volume: 66, December 2024, pages 35-51

Authors: Seungmin Lee, Chu Heo, Hosik Yoo

_{^a Korea Institute of Nuclear Non-proliferation and Control, 1418 Yuseong-daero, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, 34054}
 

Abstract: Newer nuclear facilities, such as small modular reactors and dry storage facilities for spent nuclear fuel, are expected to be constructed in the Republic of Korea. The safeguards by design (SBD) approach has been introduced to integrate nuclear safeguards and safety provisions in the earlier stages of nuclear facility design, enabling more effective implementation of safeguards in new nuclear facilities. Thus, the Korea Institute of Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Control has conducted extensive research on establishing domestic nuclear regulations to consider SBD in a new nuclear facility. This study analyzed the parameters used to evaluate the safeguardability of new nuclear facilities. First, we identified, analyzed, and compiled existing studies on the safeguardability evaluation of new nuclear facilities. Subsequently, among the compiled parameters, those applicable to regulations were identified using the Delphi method, where we surveyed a panel of experts to arrive at a consensus. We applied the Delphi method twice to determine the evaluation parameters, identifying the validity, reliability, and convergence of expert opinions. Further, the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used to prioritize the safeguardability evaluation parameters. From the AHP results, the experts deemed 'the use of nuclear materials verification equipment (NDA, DA) (0.123)' to be the most important parameter. Our findings can be used to develop a facility safeguardability analysis program that evaluates SBD for new nuclear facilities in the Republic of Korea.

Keywords: Nuclear safeguards, Safeguards by design, Delphi method, Analytic hierarchy process, Safeguardability evaluation parameters

Reference guideline:

Seungmin Lee, Chu Heo, Hosik Yoo. ( 2024, December). Approach to Prioritizing Safeguardability Evaluation Parameters Using the Delphi Method and Analytic Hierarchy Process, ESARDA Bulletin - The International Journal of Nuclear Safeguards and Non-proliferation, 66, 35-51. https://doi.org/10.3011/ESARDA.IJNSNP.2024.4