ASN Report 2018

AUVERGNE-RHÔNE-ALPES REGIONAL OVERVIEWOF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION Themain residual risk in the facility now is associated with the UF 6 containers in the storage yards, which are still within the facility perimeter. These yards should ultimately be attached to the Tricastin uranium storage areas (BNI 178). Georges Besse II enrichment plant The Georges Besse II plant (BNI 168), operated by Société d’Enrichissement du Tricastin (SET) until 2018, is the site’s new enrichment facility since the shutdown of Eurodif. It uses the centrifuge process to separate uranium isotopes. The standard of safety of the plant’s facilities in 2018 was satisfactory. The technologies used in the facility enable high targets for safety, radiation protection and environmental protection to be achieved. ASN had identified two subjects requiring particular attention in 2017: the fact that the water-presence detectors in the sampling plant ovens were not connected to the instrumentation & control system, an anomaly that was not detected during either the commissioning test or the periodic tests, and the process for assessing physical modifications to the facility, deemed insufficient during an inspection. In 2018 ASN verified that these subjects had been correctly addressed. The licensee Orano Cycle has demonstrated vigilance with regard to minor deviations. It was thus capable of dealing competently, as soon as it was detected, with a significant safety event rated level 1 on the INES scale concerning insufficient UF 6 solidification times following the taking of liquid samples. In 2019, the licensee must be particularly careful in defining the items and activities important to protection and their associated requirements in its subcontracted activity specifications. It must also ensure that the operating contingencies which are not covered by handling procedures form the subject of «hold points» involving the service responsible for safety. Maintenance, effluent treatment and waste packaging facilities (formerly Socatri) ASN considers that the level of operational safety of the Socatri facilities (BNI 138) was satisfactory in 2018. Orano Cycle continued implementation of the significant safety improvements prescribed by ASN or for which it had made commitments further to the last periodic safety review of the facility. Nevertheless, improvements in fire-risk prevention are still required. Alongside this, the licensee conducted tightened inspections of the retention structures in operation, as prescribed by ASN in April 2017. All the retention structures identified as noncompliant by these inspections have been rendered compliant. Examination of the BNI substantial modification file, involving more specifically the creation of «Trident», a facility for processing the site’s waste, was completed with Decree 2019‑113 of 19 February 2019. The development work on this facility started in 2018, after receiving authorisation fromASN. Its commissioning will be subject to another ASN authorisation. Tricastin uranium-bearing material storage yards Following the delicensing of part of the Pierrelatte Defence BNI by decision of the Prime Minister, BNI 178 – Tricastin uranium-bearing materials storage yards – has been created. This installation groups the uranium storage areas and the new emergency management premises of the Tricastin platform. ASN registered this installation in December 2016 and has ascertained, with the Defence Nuclear Safety Authority (ASND), the continuity of oversight of the nuclear safety of this installation. The installation baseline requirements are currently being upgraded to be in conformity with the regulatory texts applicable to BNIs. The results of the ASN inspections conducted since the BNI was registered are satisfactory. Two deviations relative to the availability of communication means in the event of an emergency were noted and are currently being addressed. In 2017, Orano Cycle filed an application with the Minister responsible for Nuclear Safety to integrate the storage areas currently situated in BNI 93 (Eurodif, Georges Besse I) – which are intended to remain in operation – into this BNI. ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2018  33