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CEA Marcoule centre
ASN carried out 11 inspections of the Marcoule centre’s
two BNIs in 2015, one inspection of the projected
BNI Diadem, and two cross-cutting inspections. ASN
considers that safety management of the civil BNIs at
the CEA Marcoule centre is satisfactory on the whole.
The inspections of the centre showed ASN that the
on-site transport operations and monitoring of the site
environment were correctly organised and carried out
in 2015.
Preparation of decommissioning of the Phénix
reactor continued in 2015 with the carbonation of the
residual films of sodium of the secondary systemNo.1.
Decommissioning of the installation will be the subject
of a Decree in 2016. Shortcomings in the monitoring of
outside contractors were also noted during an inspection
conducted jointly with ASND concerning a shipment
of containers of waste between the power plant and a
storage facility of the Secret BNI of Marcoule.
ASN carried out tightened investigations of the Atalante
installation in 2015 following the occurrence of three
significant events between 2013 and 2015 concerning
the electrical power supply and the instrumentation and
control systems, in order to check that the licensee was
actively implementing the planned actions further to
these events. These actions focus more particularly on the
sizing of the electrical power supplies, their maintenance
and verification of the programming of all the general
services’ instrumentation and control controllers. ASN
will remain particularly vigilant regarding this subject
during the inspections and the examination of the BNI’s
periodic safety review.
On 12th November 2015, ASN issued a favourable
opinion on the draft decree authorising CEA to create
the Diadem BNI.
Centraco plant
ASN carried out eight inspections in the Centraco plant
in 2015. A highlight of the year was the restarting of the
melting unit authorised by resolution of 9th April 2015.
With regard to experience feedback, a significant event
involving the introduction of greasy scrap metal into
the melting furnace was rated level 1 on the INES scale.
ASN conducted a reactive inspection and observed that
the furnace had been shut down in compliance with
the applicable procedures and that the greasy parts had
been removed from the feeder circuit. Improvements in
personnel training and checking of parts to be melted
were requested by ASN and implemented to prevent the
recurrence of this event.
In early 2015, the incineration unit underwent a technical
shutdown during which the quench tower was replaced.
After observing some difficulties in the waste drum
introduction airlock, which had no impact on the safety of
the facility, incineration began functioning correctly again.
On a different subject, the licensee was unable to obtain
the renewal of approvals relating to certain categories of
ultimate waste within time frames allowing their removal
before exceeding the maximum authorised duration of
on-site storage, whichwas considered a significant event
rated level 1 on the INES scale. ASNexpects these situations
to be better anticipated.
Gammatec ioniser
ASN conducted an inspection of the Gammatec ioniser in
2015 and considers the level of safety to be satisfactory.
Improvements are however expected in themanagement
of modifications to the installation, the handling of
nonconformities and putting the personnel into simulated
situations during exercises.
Ecrin facility on the Malvési site
ASN carried out an inspection of the Ecrin facility in
2015 and considers that environmental monitoring is
satisfactory. 2015 saw the regularisation of the facility
by the Decree of 20th July 2015 authorising storage of
radioactive waste for a period of thirty years. ASN will
set prescriptions in 2016 to regulate the conditions of
transfer of liquid effluents andmonitoring of the facility’s
environment. These prescriptions constitute a prerequisite
for the facility commissioning authorisation which will
consist in development work to limit the impact of the
facility.
Gammaster ioniser in Marseille
ASN carried out one Gammaster inspection in 2015.
The licensee performed a sealed sources requalification
operation in 2015 with a view to extending their service
life by ten years. The result of this operation is positive
in terms of safety and radiation protection.
The general operating rules and the on-site emergency
plan for the facility have been revised. The facility’s waste
management study is also being revised. These revisions
bolster the licensee’s emergency response organisation
and integrate the latest changes in regulations.
ASN considers that the licenseemust continue its efforts
to embrace the regulations and be particularly attentive
to the time frames for performing its verifications and
periodic tests. ASN is attentive to the fact that the licensee
must prepare the first periodic safety review of the BNI
before November 2017 while maintaining sufficient
human resources for its two BNIs.
Meetings with the professionals
After the national seminar of 21st March2014, theMarseille
division pursued the discussions with the licensees at the
regional seminar held inMarseille on 6th October 2015,
in order to address the specific points relative to the BNIs
coming under the competence of the Marseille division
with the licensees concerned. This seminar provide a
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CHAPTER 08 :
REGIONAL OVERVIEW OF NUCLEAR SAFETY AND RADIATION PROTECTION
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015