GAMMATEC IRRADIATOR The Gammatec irradiator (BNI 170) is an industrial irradiator operated by the company Stéris since 2013. Gammatec treats products by ionisation (emission of gamma radiation) with the aim of sterilising them or improving the performance of the materials. The installation consists of an industrial bunker and an experimental bunker. Both bunkers contain sealed sources of cobalt-60 which provide the radiation necessary for the facility’s activity. ASN conducted one unannounced inspection in 2023 focusing on the management of deviations, further to which improvements are required. Nevertheless, the level of safety in 2023 remains broadly satisfactory. ÉCRIN FACILITY The Écrin facility, BNI 175, is situated in the municipality of Narbonne in the Aude département, within the Malvési site operated by Orano, which represents the first step of the “fuel cycle” (excluding extraction of the ores). The transformation process produces liquid effluents containing nitrated sludge loaded with natural uranium. The Écrin BNI consist of two storage basins (B1 and B2) containing the legacy sludge from the plant. These two basins have BNI classification due to the presence of traces of artificial radioisotopes. The entire plant is subject to the system governing Seveso high-threshold Installations Classified for Protection of the Environment (ICPEs). The Écrin facility was commissioned by ASN resolution 2018DC-0645 of 12 October 2018. The works defined in the Decree of 20 July 2015, which began in 2019, were completed in 2023 with the finalising of installation of the bituminous cover over the zone of the PERLE cell (PERLE is a French acronym standing for “Project for Reversible Lagoon Storage in the Écrin BNI”), excavated to the south of storage basin B2. The final containment provisions for the storage of waste within the BNI are now in place. An unannounced inspection was held in July 2023 and served in particular to verify the PERLE cell filling results, the monitoring of the cell remodelling work and the preparation for installation of the bituminous cover. Alongside this, ASN continued its examination of the report submitted on 12 February 2021 in application of Article 7 of the Decree of 20 July 2015, describing the state of progress of the studies and investigations to assess the feasibility of the disposal options for the waste currently stored in Écrin. ASN considers that the level of safety and environmental protection remains satisfactory in view of the risks the facility presents. 86 ABSTRACTS – ASN Report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2023 Regional overview of nuclear safety and radiation protection • OCCITANIE •
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