Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel

Ensuring the integrity of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is essential for nuclear non-proliferation efforts. While detecting gross defects is relatively straightforward, identifying partial defects remain challenging. This study proposes a Bayesian inference method implemented by our newly developed Yonse...

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Main Authors: Hojik Kim, Hyung-Joo Choi, Woojin Kim, Seungmin Lee, Chul Hee Min, Sung-Woo Kwak
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325002475
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author Hojik Kim
Hyung-Joo Choi
Woojin Kim
Seungmin Lee
Chul Hee Min
Sung-Woo Kwak
author_facet Hojik Kim
Hyung-Joo Choi
Woojin Kim
Seungmin Lee
Chul Hee Min
Sung-Woo Kwak
author_sort Hojik Kim
collection DOAJ
description Ensuring the integrity of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is essential for nuclear non-proliferation efforts. While detecting gross defects is relatively straightforward, identifying partial defects remain challenging. This study proposes a Bayesian inference method implemented by our newly developed Yonsei Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography version 2 (YSECT.v.2) for verifying partial defects in SNF. Unlike traditional SNF defect detection algorithms that estimate specific values, the proposed method estimates distributions, thus providing belief in the estimates. Using the Monte Carlo (MC) method, we simulated partial defect scenarios and evaluated the proposed method's effectiveness against maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization (MLEM) across various defect patterns, ratios, and heterogeneous burnup conditions. The results indicate that the proposed technique reliably detects nuclear material diversion with high confidence.
format Article
id doaj-art-e5e69d93457f464e9355142205a5e8f8
institution Kabale University
issn 1738-5733
language English
publishDate 2025-10-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Nuclear Engineering and Technology
spelling doaj-art-e5e69d93457f464e9355142205a5e8f82025-08-20T03:50:48ZengElsevierNuclear Engineering and Technology1738-57332025-10-01571010367910.1016/j.net.2025.103679Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuelHojik Kim0Hyung-Joo Choi1Woojin Kim2Seungmin Lee3Chul Hee Min4Sung-Woo Kwak5Department of SMR Development, Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP), Republic of KoreaDepartment of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Safeguards, Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), Republic of KoreaDepartment of Safeguards, Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), Republic of KoreaDepartment of Radiation Convergence Engineering, Yonsei University, Republic of Korea; Corresponding author.Department of Safeguards, Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control (KINAC), Republic of Korea; Corresponding author.Ensuring the integrity of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) is essential for nuclear non-proliferation efforts. While detecting gross defects is relatively straightforward, identifying partial defects remain challenging. This study proposes a Bayesian inference method implemented by our newly developed Yonsei Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography version 2 (YSECT.v.2) for verifying partial defects in SNF. Unlike traditional SNF defect detection algorithms that estimate specific values, the proposed method estimates distributions, thus providing belief in the estimates. Using the Monte Carlo (MC) method, we simulated partial defect scenarios and evaluated the proposed method's effectiveness against maximum-likelihood expectation-maximization (MLEM) across various defect patterns, ratios, and heterogeneous burnup conditions. The results indicate that the proposed technique reliably detects nuclear material diversion with high confidence.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325002475Spent nuclear fuelPartial defectBayesian inferenceGamma emission tomographyMonte Calro
spellingShingle Hojik Kim
Hyung-Joo Choi
Woojin Kim
Seungmin Lee
Chul Hee Min
Sung-Woo Kwak
Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel
Nuclear Engineering and Technology
Spent nuclear fuel
Partial defect
Bayesian inference
Gamma emission tomography
Monte Calro
title Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel
title_full Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel
title_fullStr Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel
title_full_unstemmed Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel
title_short Uncertainty analysis based on Bayesian inference for partial defect verification of PWR spent nuclear fuel
title_sort uncertainty analysis based on bayesian inference for partial defect verification of pwr spent nuclear fuel
topic Spent nuclear fuel
Partial defect
Bayesian inference
Gamma emission tomography
Monte Calro
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1738573325002475
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AT woojinkim uncertaintyanalysisbasedonbayesianinferenceforpartialdefectverificationofpwrspentnuclearfuel
AT seungminlee uncertaintyanalysisbasedonbayesianinferenceforpartialdefectverificationofpwrspentnuclearfuel
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AT sungwookwak uncertaintyanalysisbasedonbayesianinferenceforpartialdefectverificationofpwrspentnuclearfuel