Fanny’s factcheck: non-proliferation
From the comic book: 'De Kiekeboes: Uranium-235'
Fanny talks about a dirty bomb in the comic. Strictly speaking, this is not a nuclear weapon, but an 'ordinary bomb' with a radioactive payload or a radioactive shell. The weapon does spread radioactivity in its explosion, but does not use nuclear reactions like a 'real' nuclear weapon does.
Given that for many it still evokes associations with nuclear weapons, let's zoom in on the topic of 'non-proliferation'. These are the efforts to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons, materials and technologies.
Non-Proliferation Treaty
The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), officially the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, was concluded in 1968 and entered into force two years later. The treaty consists of three pillars or objectives:
- The non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the promise by non-nuclear countries not to build nuclear weapons. The treaty takes its name from this pillar.
- Disarmament, fewer nuclear weapons worldwide.
- The right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
In addition to the Non-Proliferation Treaty, there is also the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). Established in 1996, the treaty provides for a global ban on nuclear testing and is critical to disarmament and non-proliferation. The treaty has not yet formally entered into force, but certain aspects are already operational. One of these is a detection system for nuclear testing. The detection system is a global monitoring system that can detect any nuclear test anywhere. The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) was founded to monitor compliance with the treaty. In the same context, a 'national data centre' can be established in each member state. In Belgium, this is the NDC.be.
Our research areas all focus on major societal challenges.
SCK CEN and non-proliferation?
SCK CEN only conducts research into peaceful nuclear applications. This is set out in our charter. You will not find any research linked to military nuclear applications with us. Our research areas all focus on major societal challenges such as climate change, waste management and the battle against cancer.
SCK CEN even makes its own active contribution to non-proliferation. For example, we are helping the IAEA in Vienna to improve their non-proliferation inspections, we are taking initiatives to work with less proliferation-sensitive materials, and we even made it possible to improve monitoring of compliance with the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
How is SCK CEN engaging with non-proliferation?
Belgian Support Programme to the IAEA
SCK CEN is implementing the Belgian Support Programme to the IAEA for the Belgian government. We train IAEA inspectors to better inspect nuclear facilities, we improve nuclear fuel measurement methods and can conduct analyses on nuclear fuel for the IAEA. We also answer questions that the IAEA asks us on technical matters.
Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty
Through our work for the Belgian NDC.be (of which SCK CEN is a founding member), we contribute to Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). We prepare analysis reports on suspicious observations that may indicate a nuclear explosion, we participate in simulations and exercises, and collaborate internationally with the various data centres.
One of our research groups monitors radioactive discharges worldwide. Tests of nuclear weapons can be detected with this. And while tracking and detecting nuclear tests is useful, there is always room for improvement. This was why we developed some statistical code for also calculating the origin and magnitude of a radioactive discharge. We make that code available to the CTBT so as to verify compliance with the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
Calculating the source location of a discharge is only one of the code's functions. Scientists can also use it to predict when and how much radioactivity was released. For this, the algorithm bases itself on both measuring stations that have detected radioactive discharges and those recording no radioactivity. With this crucial information, scientists can use existing models to calculate how high the danger of contamination is at a particular time, taking account of factors like precipitation, wind speed and wind direction. Those factors play a crucial role in the spread of radioactive particles into the atmosphere. That way, the situation can be accurately mapped out.
📎 More on the statistical code and how it actually works? Read more here
Conversion from highly enriched to low-enriched uranium
In March 2023, we announced that the BR2 research reactor will run on low-enriched uranium in the future. As such, SCK CEN is taking a pioneering step to combat the spread of highly enriched uranium, a potential component of nuclear weapons. In collaboration with the United States, we have already successfully tested three low-enriched test fuel elements as real fuel for the reactor. The conversion is on our calendar in 2026, and if all goes according to plan, BR2 will then be the world's first high-performance fissile material research reactor to have made the switch.
This switchover is a long process, by the way: years of development, extensive testing and a significant safety file will precede it. After all, we must prove to the Federal Agency for Nuclear Control (FANC) – the nuclear regulatory authority in Belgium – that the new fuel type is just as safe as the current one. Moreover, the research reactor must deliver the same technical performance using this new fuel type. And this performance is not to be sniffed at – BR2 is among the most powerful research reactors in the world. The medical and scientific sectors are counting on it. After all, it plays a vital global role in the production of medical radioisotopes and the testing of new materials and fuels for the nuclear industry.
In 2023 vinkten we een belangrijke mijlpaal in dit omschakelingsproces af. De Amerikaanse ambassadeur Michael M. Adler fecliciteerde ons voor deze mijlpaal [zie video hieronder].