CAEN SABLÉ-SUR-SARTHE POUZAUGES DAGNEUX MARSEILLE GENÈVE GRENOBLE MARCOULE CADARACHE Research reactors under construction Cadarache: ITER, JHR Laboratories and miscellaneous industrial facilities Cadarache: LECA/STAR, Lefca Saclay: LECI, UPRA Marcoule: Atalante Particle accelerators Caen: Ganil Genève: CERN Storage of materials Cadarache: Magenta SACLAY Industrial ionisation facilities Dagneux, Pouzauges, Sablé-sur-Sarthe: Ionisos Marseille: Gammaster Marcoule: Gammatec Saclay: Poséidon Research reactors Cadarache: Cabri Grenoble: RHF Research facilities in France 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 Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR – BNI 172), which is intended to replace Osiris, is under construction at Cadarache. Commissioning of the facility, which comprises a number of milestones, is currently being examined by ASN. On 19 July 2023, the Nuclear Policy Council also ratified the continued investment by the State and the sector to finalise the construction of the JHR, so that France would have this new operational facility by 2032‑2034. This reactor will be able to support research on extending the lifetime of the existing NPP fleet, on the EPR 2, but also on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). Fusion reactors Unlike the research reactors previously described and which use nuclear fission reactions, some research facilities aim to produce nuclear fusion reactions. 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 nuclear fusion by magnetic confinement of a deuterium-tritium plasma, during long-duration experiments with significant power (500 Megawatts – MW – for 400 s). The main risk control challenges and detrimental effects of this type of installation include controlling the containment of radioactive materials (tritium in particular) and the risks of exposure to ionising radiation owing to significant activation of materials under an intense neutron flux. Iter Organization began work in 2023 to redefine the facility’s experimentation programme and develop a “new reference scenario”. ASN underlines an improvement in the transparency of the exchanges on the corresponding safety issues. The hold points associated with the project, notably that relating to assembly of the tokamak, will be redefined within the context of the review associated with this new experimentation programme. 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, fuel fabrication and reprocessing, 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 experimentation 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 essential factors in guaranteeing the control of these four main risks. Fuels and materials test laboratories Some of these laboratories, operated by 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: ∙ the 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 Fabrication of Advanced Nuclear Fuels (Lefca – BNI 123), located in Cadarache; ∙ the Spent Fuel Testing Laboratory (LECI – BNI 50), located in Saclay. ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 341 • 13 • Nuclear research and miscellaneous industrial facilities 13 05 15 08 11 04 14 06 07 AP 03 10 02 09 12 01
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