ASN Report 2020

tests following the material modifications and compliance with the planned frequencies for the periodic inspections and tests, as witnessed by several signif icant events reported on this subject. Lastly, ASN considers that the replies to the follow-up letters and the information presented in the significant events reports are not detailed enough and must be improved. FACILITIES OF THE CEA SACLAY CENTRE UNDERGOING DECOMMISSIONING The decommissioning operations performed on the Saclay site concern two finally shut down BNIs (BNI 18 and 49) and three BNIs in operation (BNI 35, 40 and 72), parts of which have ceased activity and in which operations in preparation for decommissioning are being carried out. They also concern two Installations Classified for Protection of the Environment (ICPEs) – EL2 and EL3 – previously classif ied as BNIs but which have not been completely decommissioned due to the lack of a disposal route for the low-level long-lived waste. Their downgrading from BNI to ICPE status in the 1980’s, in compliance with the regulations of that time, could not be done today. Broadly speaking, the CEA’s decommissioning and waste management strategy has been examined by ASN, which stated its position in May 2019 on the priorities def ined by the CEA (see chapter 13). Ulysse reactor – CEA Centre Ulysse was the f irst French university reactor. The facility, which constitutes BNI 18, has been in final shutdown status since February 2007 and has contained no fuel since 2008. The BNI Decommissioning Decree was published on 21 August 2014 and provides for a decommissioning duration of 5 years. This facility presents limited safety risks. On 8 August 2019, the CEA announced the end of the decommissioning operations provided for in the Decommissioning Decree, with the completion of final post- operational clean-out. The facility therefore no longer has any areas regulated on account of radiation protection, or areas where nuclear waste can be produced. At end of 2019, about a hundred blocks of concrete from the cutting-up phase of the “conventional” part of the reactor block were still present in the facility. Samples were taken from these blocks by an independent laboratory in December 2019 to check that the planned clean-out targets had beenmet. The results of the analyses confirmed the conventional nature of the concrete blocks, the removal of which was completed in November 2020. After analysing the facility’s safety review report, ASN communicated its conclusions to the Minister responsible for nuclear safety on 22 April 2020. On completion of this safety review, ASN has not planned to issue any particular requirements regarding the residual risks of the facility. High-level Activity Laboratory – CEA Centre The High-level Activity Laboratory (LHA) comprises several laboratories intended for research work or the production of various radionuclides. It constitutes BNI 49. On completion of the decommissioning and clean-out work authorised by Decree of 18 September 2008, only two laboratories – currently in operation – should ultimately remain under the ICPE System. These two laboratories are the laboratory for the chemical and radiological characterisation of effluents and waste, and the packaging and storage facility for the retrieval of unused sources. Despite the progress of the clean-out and decommissioning operations, the accumulated delays have prevented the CEA frommeeting the deadline of 21 September 2018 set by the decree authorising LHA decommissioning. The discovery of pollution in certain “intercell yards” in 2017 also led to changes being made in the operations to be carried out. Investigations into the radiological status of the soils were carried out during 2019, with results expected in the course of 2021. The licensee must submit a Decommissioning Decree modification file. It must include the justification of the time required to complete the decommissioning operations authorised by the Decree of 18 September 2008. Its submission is planned before the end of 2021. ASN will be attentive to the progress of the studies planned prior to submission of the file. The year 2020 was marked by a change of industrial operator over the perimeter undergoing decommissioning. ASN considers that the level of safety of BNI 49 undergoing decommissioning is on the whole satisfactory. The inspections revealed good organisation between the CEA and its incoming and outgoing service providers, in order to optimise the transition between them in a restricted time frame. ASN also underlines the quality of the organisation set up between the CEA and its industrial operator for monitoring the periodic inspections and tests. However, resumption of the service provider monitoring activities – partly postponed due to the health crisis – was slow. Compliance work on the electrical installations and the lightning protection devices must also be carried out. Lastly, ASN notes delays in the updating of the demonstration of control of fire-related risks, initially announced for the end of 2019. ASN will remain attentive to compliance with the CEA’s new stated deadline of the first quarter 2021. 70 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2020 REGIONAL OVERVIEWOF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION