Installation: BNI 56 consists of a range of storage facilities for the radioactive waste produced on the Cadarache site (Bouches-du-Rhône département): pits (6), pools (3), trenches (5) and hangars (11). Licensee: CEA Commissioned: 1965 Final shutdown: scheduled for 2023 Decommissioning phases With a view to decommissioning, the preparation operations have started. n The retrieval and removal of waste from the pools are complete and the pools are being cleaned-out. n Trench T2 has been emptied of the waste it contained. The scenario for waste recovery from the other trenches (T1, T3, T4 and T5) is being defined; it will be based on the lessons learned with trench T2, for which the operations were seriously slowed down by difficulties relating in particular to the uncertainties regarding the physical condition and the radiological inventory* of the waste packages. n At present, the decommissioning operations focus on the retrieval and removal of “intermediate level” radioactive waste from the recent pits, as the “low level” waste has already been removed. n The retrieval, removal and conditioning of the waste from the old pits should complete the decommissioning operations on BNI 56. They will notably require the construction of appropriate buildings for handling and conditioning this highly radioactive waste. Decommissioning challenges These relate to the retrieval and conditioning of legacy waste from an installation which, until 1983, was designed to act as its final disposal location. This bulk waste represents a significant dispersible radiological inventory*. The storage conditions led to considerable soil pollution. Clean-out is also a major challenge. Storage yard Cadarache Installation: the Georges Besse 1 plant (or “Eurodif”) was intended for the enrichment* of natural uranium by a gaseous diffusion process, for subsequent use in the nuclear power reactors (Drôme département). On the Tricastin site, the four plants constitute BNI 93, covering a total surface area of 190,000 m2. Licensee: Orano Commissioned: 1978 Final shutdown: 2012 Decommissioning phases n Scheduled time-frame for complete decommissioning of the installation: 15 years after the study phase. n Rinsing of diffuser cascades* during the work in preparation for decommissioning (reduction in the quantity of uranium). n As of 2024: demolition of the two cooling towers. n Studies are in progress to design the future equipment for cutting and conditioning the diffuser cascades*. Decommissioning challenges The decommissioning challenges will first of all concern the diffusers, notably their disassembly, cutting and compacting of massive parts. These operations will require the use of specific tools and the operation of new units. The licensee will be required to ensure that the waste is shipped to the final disposal route (on average about 8,000 m3/year). The decommissioning of Eurodif could generate 130,000 tons of very-low level (VLL) metal waste that could potentially be recycled. Eurodif Tricastin Decommissioning challenges • 19
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NjQ0NzU=