ASN Report 2018

PROVENCE-ALPES-CÔTE D’AZUR REGIONAL OVERVIEWOF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION •  the Plutonium technology facility (ATPu, BNI 32); •  the Masurca research reactor (BNI 39); •  the ÉOLE research reactor (BNI 42); •  the enriched UraniumProcessing Facilities (ATUe, BNI 52); •  the Central Fissile Material Warehouse (MCMF, BNI 53); •  the Chemical Purification Laboratory (LPC, BNI 54); •  the High-Activity Laboratory LECA‑STAR (BNI 55); •  the solid radioactive waste storage Area (BNI 56); •  the Phébus research reactor (BNI 92); •  the Minerve research reactor (BNI 95); •  the Laboratory for research and experimental fabrication of advanced nuclear fuels (Lefca, BNI 123); •  the Chicade laboratory (BNI 156); •  the Cedra storage facility (BNI 164); •  the Magenta storage warehouse (BNI 169); •  the Effluent advancedmanagement and processing facility (Agate, BNI 171); •  the Jules Horowitz Reactor (RJH, BNI 172) under construction. Ten installations at the Cadarache centre are in final shutdown status and either preparing or have started their decommissioning (7 of them have submitted or are going to submit their decommissioning file while 3 of them have received a decommissioning decree), 10 installations are in operation and one installation is under construction. The CEA Cadarache centre operates numerous installations which vary in their nature and their safety implications. ASN has moreover started or is continuing the examination of the periodic safety review guidance files or the conclusion reports for 16 of the 21 installations: Pégase‑Cascad, Cabri, Rapsodie, STE, ATPu, ÉOLE, ATUe, MCMF, LPC, LECA‑STAR, the Waste Storage Area, Phébus, Minerve, Chicade, Cedra and Magenta. It is noteworthy that 10 reports were submitted in 2017. In the examination of these reports, ASN is particularly attentive to the robustness of the action plans proposed and deployed. It ensures that the installations are in conformity with the applicable regulations and that the risks and adverse effects are effectively controlled. Pégase‑Cascad facility – CEA Centre The Pégase reactor was commissioned on the Cadarache site in 1964 and was operated for about ten years. The CEA was authorised by a Decree of 17 April 1980 to use the Pégase facility (BNI 22) for the storage of radioactive substances, in particular spent fuel elements in a pool. This facility, which does not meet current safety requirements for storage facilities, has received no more radioactive substances for storage since 2008 and has removed a large part of its source term. The CEA has requested the pushing back of the ASN requirement that the facility be completely emptied of the stored radioactive substances before the end of 2018, and the compensatory conditions are currently being examined by ASN. Final shutdown of the facility is planned for the end of 2023 and the decommissioning file is to be received by the end of 2019. The Cascad facility, authorised by a Decree of September 1989 modifying the Pégase facility and operated since 1990, is dedicated to the dry storage of spent fuel in wells. Unlike Pégase, for which ASN has prescribed removal of the stored substances as early as possible, the standard of safety of Cascad is satisfactory. ASN opinion on the safety of the facility in 2018 is generally positive. The CEA must nevertheless clarify the schedule for certain removal operations concerning the radioactive substances currently stored in the Pégase pool. Cabri research reactor – CEA Centre The Cabri reactor (BNI 24), created on 27 May 1964, is used for experimental programmes aiming at acquiring a deeper understanding of nuclear fuel behaviour in the event of a reactivity accident. The reactor has been equipped with a pressurised water loop since 2006 in order to study the behaviour of the fuel at high combustion rates in accident situations of increasing reactivity in a pressurised water reactor. The year 2018 saw the f irst active tests of the CIP experimental programme (Cabri International Program) in the pressurised water loop of the renovated installation, which was authorised by ASN on 30 January 2018. ASN considers that the level of safety of the Cabri reactor is satisfactory. Rapsodie research reactor – CEA Centre The Rapsodie reactor (BNI 25) is the first sodium-cooled fast neutron reactor built in France. It operated from 1967 to 1978. A sealing defect in the reactor pressure vessel led to its final shutdown in 1983. Decommissioning operations were subsequently undertaken, but have been partially stopped further to a fatal accident in 1994 during the washing of of a sodium tank. At present the core has been unloaded, the fuel evacuated from the installation, the fluids and radioactive components have been removed and the reactor vessel is contained. The reactor pool has been emptied, partially cleaned out and decommissioned. In addition, the last sodium-containing waste was transferred at the end of 2018 to the Phénix installation (BNI 71) on the Marcoule site. The decommissioning file for BNI 25 was submitted by the licensee at the end of 2014 and supplemented in 2016. It underwent a public inquiry from 5 June to 6 July 2018. ASN is continuing the examination of this file. ASN considers that the level of safety of the Rapsodie in 2018 is satisfactory. ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2018  81