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Teaching reactor
ISIS reactor (Saclay)
WithOsiris, this is one of the two reactors in BNI 40 (see
“Osiris reactor”). ASN authorised the operation of this
mock-up until 2019.
1.2.3 Laboratories
The irradiated materials and spent fuel assessment
laboratories
These laboratories are investigative tools available to
the nuclear licensees. From the safety viewpoint, these
installations must meet the same standards and rules as
the fuel cycle nuclear installations, but the safety approach
also has to be proportionate to the specific risks presented.
In this context, ASN categorised these installations in its
resolution of 29th September 2015.
Active Fuel Examination Laboratory (LECA) (Cadarache)
The LECA (BNI 55) was commissioned in 1964 and is
a laboratory for both destructive and non-destructive
examination of spent fuels fromvarious types of nuclear
power plants or research reactors, and of irradiated
structures or instruments. It is an ageing facility whose
seismic resistance was reinforced beginning in 2010,
with a view to shutdown in 2015.
In2014, CEA transmitted the file presenting the conclusions
of the periodic safety review for the installation which it
wishes to continue to operate on a long-term basis. The
complexity of the analysis of the reinforcements envisaged
for seismic resistance of the civil engineering structures
and the limited resources available for examination of the
file meant that ASN pushed the end of the examination
back to 2016.
The LECA extension Treatment, Clean-out and Reconditioning Station
(STAR) (Cadarache)
The STAR facility (BNI 55) is a high-activity laboratory
comprising shielded cells. It was designed for the
stabilisation and reconditioning of irradiated fuel rods
surplus to requirements with a view to storing them
in the CASCAD facility (see chapter 16). It also carries
out destructive and non-destructive examinations on
irradiated fuels. Its creationwas authorised by the Decree
of 4th September 1989 and its definitive commissioning
was declared in 1999.
ASN regularly checks CEA’s compliance with the
commitments made after the periodic safety review
completed in June 2009. Following this review, CEA
in particular made a commitment to implement a project
for redevelopment and the installation of newequipment,
in particular for handling purposes. On 13thMay 2014
ASNprescribed the operating procedures associatedwith
this project. Work has been started by CEA and ASN
will remain vigilant in ensuring that it is completed on
time, in 2016.
Laboratory for Research and Experimental Fabrication of Advanced
Nuclear Fuels (LEFCA) (Cadarache)
The LEFCA (BNI 123), commissioned in 1983, is a
laboratory in charge of conducting studies on plutonium,
uranium, actinides and their compounds in a variety of
forms (alloys, ceramics, composites, metal, etc.) with
a view to their applications in nuclear reactors. The
LEFCA carries out studies aimed at understanding the
behaviour of these materials in the reactor and at various
stages in the fuel cycle. It also produces devices for
experimental irradiation designed to test the behaviour
of these materials, as well as carrying out stabilisation
and reconditioning of uranium and plutonium bearing
materials.
ASN is currently examining the facility’s periodic safety
review report, transmitted in December 2013. The first
part of this examination took place in a specific context:
in 2014, CEA announced that it would be transferring
the LEFCA R&D activities in 2017 to the Atalante facility
and finally shutting it down by 2020. Following the
assessment of the review file, ASN will issue a ruling
on the continued operation of the facility.
Elsewhere, following a previous review, ASN issued
a prescription for CEA on 29th June 2010 requiring
it to ensure that a groundwater drainage system was
operational before 30th September 2015 in order to
prevent the risk of soil liquefaction in the event of
an earthquake. Following the late transmission of
the file in July 2015, CEA did not at first correctly
assess the environmental impact of the system and
commissioning could not be carried out in good time.
During an inspection, ASN nonetheless checked that
it was technically ready and postponed commissioning
to the end of 2016 without initiating any sanctions or
enforcement measures.
ASN asked CEA to take greater account in the future of
environmental protection and the regulation deadlines
for review of the prescribed modifications.
Finally, the obsolescence of the LEFCA nuclear ventilation
PLCs is considered by ASN to be a point meriting vigilance
and will be the subject of particular attention during
inspections and in the follow-up of the periodic safety
review examination.
Spent Fuel Testing Laboratory (LECI) (Saclay)
The LECI (BNI 50) was notified by CEA on 8th January
1968. An extension was authorised by decree in 2000.
The role of the LECI is to study the properties of nuclear
materials, whether or not irradiated. The LECI also
has a role to provide support for the delicensing of the
Saclay centre.
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CHAPTER 14:
NUCLEAR RESEARCH AND MISCELLANEOUS INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES
ASN report on the state of nuclear safety and radiation protection in France in 2015