- 224 - The facility was authorised by a decree of 21 May 1990. It produces MOX (mixed oxide) fuel. The manufacturing process of the Mélox plant comprises a number of functions grouped by unit in building 500: the reception and storage of UO2 and PuO2 powders; the making up of the MOX mixture from these powders; the production of the fuel pellets by pressing and sintering the mixture; the manufacture of fuel rods; assembly of the fuel rods on metal structures constituting the individual modules to be introduced into the reactors; the inspection, interim storage and shipping of the manufactured products. Auxiliary buildings (501 to 508) accommodate the functions of administration, surveillance, maintenance, fluid and equipment supplies, treatment of scraps, effluents and waste. The main risks are associated with the handling of UO2 and PuO2 powders (irradiation, contamination, criticality). The FBFC plant of Romans-sur-Isère The FBFC plant of Romans-sur-Isère is located on the East boundary of an industrial zone situated about 1 km to the east of the town (34,000 inhabitants), between the road D 1092 to the north and the right bank of the river Isère to the south. The town is not downwind of the prevailing winds, especially the Mistral which blows from the North. Apart from the FBFC facilities, the industrial site comprises two polymer production plants, an agri-food business company, a large retailer and the site of the Romans international fair. The main communication routes and infrastructures follow the natural line of the Isère valley. The facilities present on the FBFC site comprise: BNI 63 which manufactures fuel elements for research reactors and was authorised by decree on 9 May 1967 ; BNI 98 which manufactures fuel assemblies for the French nuclear power reactors of the pressurized water reactor (PWR) type, authorized by decree dated 2 March 1978; auxiliary facilities, including one ICPE, storage buildings or areas. The PWR fuel assembly manufacturing process involves several phases: chemical conversion of the UF6 into UO2 powder which is then sent to the fuel assembly manufacturing process; the manufacture of UO2 pellets from the UO2 powder which is compressed into cylindrical pellets; the manufacture of fuel rods consisting of long zirconium alloy tubes in which the UO2 pellets are stacked; the manufacture of fuel assemblies by placing fuel rods in skeleton assemblies; recycling of the solid uranium discards resulting from the fuel assembly manufacturing process. The main intrinsic risks are associated firstly with the presence of UF6 and HF (chiefly chemical risks), but also substances containing uranium (irradiation, contamination, criticality).
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