ASN Report 2020

In France, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) facility (BNI 174) is an international fusion reactor project currently under construction in Cadarache. The purpose of ITER is to scientifically and technically demonstrate control of thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement of a deuterium- tritium plasma, during long-duration experiments with significant power – 500 Megawatts (MW) for 400 seconds. The main risk and detrimental effect control challenges for this type of facility notably include control of the containment of radioactive materials (tritium in particular), the risks of exposure to ionising radiation (significant activation of materials under intense neutron flux) and the removal of the residual heat from the reactor compartments (in particular during maintenance work). 1.2  Laboratories and miscellaneous industrial facilities 1.2.1 Laboratories The laboratories carrying out research and development work for the nuclear sector contribute to enhancing knowledge for nuclear power production, the fuel cycle and waste management. They can also produce radionuclides for medical uses. Principles and safety issues The main challenges inherent in these facilities are protecting persons against ionising radiation, preventing the dispersal of radioactive substances, controlling fire risks and controlling the chain reaction (criticality). The design principles for these laboratories are similar. Special areas, called “shielded cells” allow handling of and exper­ imentation with radioactive substances, using appropriate handling systems. These shielded cells are designed with particularly thick walls and windows, to protect the operators against the ionising radiation. They also allow the containment of radioactive materials by means of a specific ventilation and filters system. The criticality risk is controlled by strict instructions regarding the handling, storage and monitoring of the materials being studied. Finally, the fire risk is managed using technical systems (fire doors, dampers, detectors, fire fighting equipment, etc.) and an organisation limiting the fire loading. Personnel training and rigorous organisation are also essential factors in controlling these four main risks. Fuels and materials test laboratories Some of these laboratories, operated by the CEA, are used to carry out a variety of experiments on irradiated materials or fuels. The purpose of some research programmes for example is to allow higher burn-up of fuels or improve their safety. Some of these facilities are also operated for fuel preparation and repackaging. The following fall within this category of laboratories: ∙ Active Fuel Examination Laboratory (LECA), in Cadarache and its extension, the Treatment, Clean-Out and Reconditioning Station (STAR), which make up BNI 55; ∙ the Laboratory for Research and Experimental Fabrication of Advanced Nuclear Fuels (Lefca, BNI 123), located in Cadarache; ∙ the Spent Fuel Testing Laboratory (LECI, BNI 50), located in Saclay. Research and development (R&D) laboratories R&D on new technologies is also carried out for the nuclear industry in laboratories, more particularly with regard to the development of new fuels, their recycling, or the management of ultimate waste. The Alpha facility and laboratory for transuranian elements analysis and reprocessing studies (Atalante – BNI 148), situated in Marcoule and operated by CEA, provides Orano Cycle with technical support for optimising the operation of the La Hague plants. It carries out experimental work to qualify the behaviour of nuclear glass matrices in order to guarantee the long-term confinement properties of high-level waste packages. Artificial Radionuclides Production Facility The Artificial Radionuclides Production Facility (UPRA), situated in Saclay and operated by CIS bio international, is a nuclear facility designed according to the same principles as a laboratory (special areas for handling and experimenting with radioactive substances, using appropriate means), for the purposes of research and to develop radionuclides for medical uses. CIS bio international is a subsidiary of the Curium group, a manufacturer of radiopharmaceuticals. 1.2.2 Particle accelerators Some particle accelerators are BNIs. These installations use electrical or magnetic fields to accelerate charged particles. The accelerated particle beams produce strong fields of ionising radiation, activating the materials in contact, which then emit ionising radiation even after the beams have stopped. Exposure to ionising radiation is thus the primary risk in this type of facility. The Ganil The Large National Heavy Ion Accelerator (Ganil – BNI 113), located in Caen, carries out fundamental and applied research work, more particularly in atomic physics and nuclear physics. This research facility produces, accelerates and distributes ion beams with various energy levels to study the structure of the atom. The CERN The European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) is an international organisation situated between France and Switzerland, whose role is to carry out purely scientific fundamental research programmes concerning high energy particles. The CERN does not operate just one particle accelerator to study the structure of matter, but an entire chain of devices (sometimes called injectors). This chain currently comprises several linear and circular accelerators. Owing to its cross-border location, the CERN is subject to particular verifications by the French and Swiss Authorities. 1.2.3 Industrial ionisation installations Industrial ionisation facilities, called irradiators, use the gamma rays emitted by sealed sources of cobalt-60 to irradiate targets in the irradiation cells. These irradiation cells are designed with particularly thick walls and windows, to protect the operators against the ionising radiation. The sealed sources are either placed in the lowered position, stored in a pool under a layer of water which protects the workers, or are placed in the raised position to irradiate the target item. Personnel exposure to ionising radiation is thus the primary risk in these facilities. The main applications of irradiators are to sterilise medical equipment, agrifood products and pharmaceutical raw materials. Irradiators can also be used to study the behaviour of materials under ionising radiation, notably to qualify materials for the nuclear industry. These irradiators are used by: ∙ the Ionisos Group, which operates three facilities located in Dagneux (BNI 68), Pouzauges (BNI 146) and Sablé-sur-Sarthe (BNI 154); ∙ the Steris group, which operates the Gammaster (BNI 147) and Gammatec (BNI 170) facilities in Marseille and Marcoule; ∙ the CEA, which operates the Poséidon irradiator (BNI 77) on the Saclay site. 334 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020 12 – NUCLEAR RESEARCH AND MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES