1. Research facilities, laboratories and other facilities in France 1. The use of radionuclides offers medical analysis and treatment possibilities: to diagnose cancers by scintigraphy and tomography, allowing detailed examination of functioning organs, or to treat tumours with radiotherapy, which uses radiation from the radionuclides to destroy the cancer cells (see chapter 7). 1.1 Research reactors The purpose of research reactors is to contribute to scientific and technological research and to improve the operation of the Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs). Some of these facilities also produce radionuclides(1) for medical uses. They are facilities in which a chain reaction is created and sustained, to produce a neutron flux of varying density, used primarily for scientific experimentation purposes. Unlike in NPPs, the energy produced by research reactors is not recovered and is in fact a “by-product” removed by cooling. The quantities of radioactive substances used are smaller than in nuclear power reactors. An overview of the various types of research reactors present in France and the main corresponding risks is presented below. In their design, these reactors take account of reference accidents, both core melt “under water” (failure of the cooling system) and core melt “in air” (after uncovering of the core or during handling). They also take account of accidents specific to certain research reactors. Neutron beam reactors The irradiation reactors are pool type. They are mainly designed for fundamental research (solid physics, molecular physicochemistry, biochemistry, etc.), using the neutron diffraction method to study matter. The neutrons are produced in the reactor, at different energy levels and are captured by channels in the reactor before being routed to experimentation areas. In France, there is now only one neutron beam reactor in service: the High-Flux Reactor (RHF – BNI 67) operated by the ILL in Grenoble (rated power limited to 58 Megawatts thermal – MWth). The RHF operates in cycles of about 50 to 100 days. The main safety issues are reactivity control, cooling and containment. After consultation of the public and in the light of the conclusions of its third periodic safety review, ASN (the French Nuclear Safety Authority) made the continued operation of this facility dependent on compliance with the prescriptions set out in the resolution of 28 July 2022, notably the improvements to the provisions for the prevention of fire and explosion risks and risks linked to handling operations. The Orphée reactor (BNI 101), operated by CEA in Saclay (rated power limited to 14 MWth), was finally shut down at the end of 2019. “Test” reactors “Test” reactors are pool type. They are designed to study accident situations. They are able to reproduce certain accidents postulated in the safety case of nuclear power reactors in a controlled manner and on a small scale and gain a clearer understanding of the evolution of physical parameters during accidents. In France, there is one “test” reactor in service: the Cabri reactor (BNI 24) operated by CEA in Cadarache. The reactor, whose power is limited to 25 MWth, can produce the neutron flux needed for the experiments. The safety issues are similar to those of the other reactors: controlling the reactivity of the driver core, cooling to remove heat and containment of the radioactive substances in the fuel rods making up the core. Modifications were made to the facility so that it could run new research programmes to study the behaviour of high burn-up fraction fuel during reactivity insertion accident situations. Reactor divergence in its new configuration was authorised in 2015. On 30 January 2018, after major renovation work, ASN authorised the first active experimental test of the facility’s pressurised water loop. Irradiation reactors The irradiation reactors are pool type. They are used to study the physical phenomena linked to the irradiation of materials and fuels, as well as their behaviour. As the neutron fluxes obtained by these facilities are more powerful than those in a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) type nuclear power reactor, the experiments enable ageing studies to be performed on the materials and components subjected to a high neutron flux. After irradiation, the samples undergo destructive examination, notably in the research laboratories, in order to characterise the effects of irradiation. They are thus an important tool for the qualification of materials subjected to a neutron flux. These research reactors are also significant sources for the production of certain radionuclides for medical uses. The power of these reactors varies from a few tens to a hundred MWth. These reactors operate in cycles of about 20 to 30 days. In France, since the final shutdown of the Osiris reactor (BNI 40) on CEA’s Saclay site in 2015, there have been no technological irradiation reactors in operation. The Cabri “test” reactor, the design of which was modified so that it could also carry out object irradiation experimental programmes, was licensed for this type of use by a Decree of 2 August 2022. Nuclear research or industrial facilities differ from the Basic Nuclear Installations (BNIs) involved directly in the generation of electricity (nuclear power reactors and “fuel cycle” facilities) or waste management. Traditionally, most of these BNIs are operated by the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA), but also by other research organisations (for example the Laue-Langevin Institute – ILL, the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor – ITER organisation and the National Large Heavy Ion Accelerator – Ganil) or by industrial firms (for instance CIS bio international, Steris and Ionisos, which operate facilities producing radiopharmaceuticals, or industrial irradiators). 330 ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2022 • 12 • Nuclear research and miscellaneous industrial facilities
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