specif ic studies (see “Orano’s decommissioning and waste management strategy”, in “Notable events” in the introduction to this report). In 2021, ASN carried out a tightened inspection of the action plan resulting from the periodic safety review f ile. ASN considers that the actions are carried out correctly but tracking of the action plan updates should be reinforced. The main residual risk of BNI 93 is now associated with the UF6 containers in the storage yards, which are still attached to the perimeter of the facility. These yards should ultimately be attached to the Tricastin uranium storage yards (BNI 178). Georges Besse II enrichment plant The Georges Besse II plant, BNI 168, is the site’s new enrichment facility following the shutdown of Eurodif. It uses the centrifuge process to separate uranium isotopes. The standard of safety of the plant’s facilities in 2021 was satisfactory. The technologies utilised in the facility enable high standards of safety, radiation protection and environmental protection to be reached. ASN considers that the licensee is duly following its commitments to ASN. The outdoor gantries for handling the UF6 cylinders have been out of service since October 2020 due to damage to their running tracks. The licensee moves the cylinders using handling equipment and is still looking into the repairability of the gantries. In 2021, ASN also inspected the actions taken by the licensee to reduce discharges of refrigerant into the atmosphere. Compliance with the examined requirements proved satisfactory and the licensee is continuing its efforts to control discharges of this type. ASN issued an authorisation in 2021 allowing the mode of operation of certain enrichment cascades to be changed. ASN will check that these modifications are carried out safely. Maintenance, effluent treatment and waste packaging facilities The effluent treatment and uranium recovery facility (IARU), which constitutes BNI 138, ensures the treatment of liquid effluents and waste, as well as maintenance operations for various BNIs. ASN considers that the efforts made by the licensee in 2021 to improve the level of operational safety and the rigour of operation of BNI 138 must be continued. In 2021, ASN checked compliance with the numerous f ire-related commitments made to ASN in 2020. Improvements were observed but actions still have to be accomplished. ASN moreover conducted a tightened inspection of the action plan and the studies associated with the periodic safety review, as well as an inspection dedicated to the surface treatment activities, which led to numerous upgrading requests. Decree 2019-113 of 19 February 2019 authorised substantial modification of the BNI, in particular to create “Trident”, a unit for processing the site waste, some of whose modules started in 2021 following on from the first modules the previous year. The technical examination of the updating of the discharge resolutions for the entire BNI 138 was carried out in 2021, with a public consultation from 15 November to 6 December 2021, and the regulatory procedure should be concluded in 2022. ASN will be attentive in 2022 to the continuation of the measures taken by the licensee to reinforce operating rigour. ASN will also examine the integration of the conclusions of the periodic safety review, including prevention of the fire risk and upgrading of the surface treatment activities. Tricastin uranium-bearing material storage yards and P35 Following the delicensing of part of the Pierrelatte DBNI by decision of the Prime Minister, the Tricastin uranium-bearing materials storage yards (BNI 178) have been created. This facility groups the uranium storage yards and the new emergency management premises of the Tricastin platform. Following on from this delicensing process, facility P35 (BNI 179) was created. It groups together ten uranium storage buildings. A complementary storage project called “FLEUR” is in progress; the creation authorisation application was the subject of a public inquiry from 2 November to 3 December 2020 and its examination continued in 2021. The overall level of safety of BNIs 178 and 179 operated by Orano was satisfactory in 2021. The standard of upkeep and cleanliness of the facilities has remained good. More generally, the licensee must always take care to meet the deadlines for the commitments made to ASN. ASN inspected the construction of the future additional storage buildings associated with the FLEUR project and found no deviations. With regard to the emergency management building and its equipment, the licensee has continued the efforts aiming to guarantee operation of the emergency centre and the various mobile emergency equipment items. Technical diff iculties were nevertheless encountered in 2021, with some population alert sirens out of service. Tricastin analysis laboratory Authorised by Decree 2015-1210 of 30 September 2015 and commissioned in May 2017, Atlas, the Tricastin analysis laboratory, constitutes BNI 176. The facility represents a signif icant improvement in safety compared with the old laboratories it replaces. Whereas difficulties were encountered until 2020 on one of the UF6 analysis and sampling benches, all three are now functioning correctly. More generally, ASN’s inspections in 2021 found improvements in the area of fire prevention and criticality. The commitments the licensee made to ASN are being met and are well tracked, and the management of deviations has also been improved. Tricastin Operational Hot Unit (BCOT) The Tricastin Operational Hot unit (BCOT) constitutes BNI 157. Operated by EDF, it was intended for the maintenance and storage of equipment and tooling, fuel elements excluded, originating from contaminated systems and equipment of the nuclear power reactors. 46 ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2021 REGIONAL OVERVIEWOF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION
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